Slots are perhaps one of the most popular casino games in existence. From humble beginnings in the 1800s to the first video slot machine of the 70s, the game evolved over the last couple of centuries. Video slots moved online with the evolution of the internet and are now available at our fingertips thanks to mobile devices.

Before learning how to play the game, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the basic components of video slots. For more updates on iGaming, visit Casino Bee.

Four Basic Components of Video Slots

1.         Reels – Slot machines are composed of a series of reels, and the numbers vary between three and nine for modern slots. Classic 3-reel slots, also called fruit machines aren’t all that popular today, although a few game developers stick to the traditional layout based on their preferred theme. Each reel on the screen lands symbols at the end of every spin. When certain symbols land across multiple reels, it triggers a winning combination.

2.         Symbols – Symbols are the essence of video slots and are a combination of images across the reels. Each symbol signifies special characteristics, from Wilds and Scatters to Bonuses, and Jackpots. Modern video slots will often offer a bunch of free spins. These usually trigger special symbols, increasing the player’s chances of scoring the jackpot.

3.         Paylines – These are formed by multiple rows headed across the reels from left to the right. Paylines can form if symbols appear on a single row or may fluctuate on subsequent reels. Modern video slot machines can have anywhere between five and fifty paylines depending on the theme.

4.         Payout Table – The payout table specifies the winning combinations and must be read before starting a new game. Analyzing the contents of the Payout Table in advance can help aspiring gamblers calculate the potential of scoring the jackpot and decide on the buy-in amount accordingly.

How to Win at Video Slots?

Before starting, it’s crucial to understand that slots are a game of luck, and there are no sure ways of winning. The game uses Random Number Generators to predict the next combination, and previous results aren’t stored for future reference. In order to maximize your chances of winning, here’s what you can do.

1.         Bet the Maximum Buy-in – Winning at casino games involves sheer luck, and the longer you play, the higher your chances of losing. If you’re feeling lucky, bet the highest coin amount and earn a chance to unlock the jackpot. That way, if you run into luck, you have the maximum chance of making the best use of the opportunity.

2.         Choose Slots with the Highest RTP – Return to Player is a metric that calculates the payout percentage of the game. Slots with a higher RTP have a greater chance of returning your bet. The downside of such games is limited hit frequency. Choose video slots with an average RTP over 95%. Some of the best games can offer up to 97% during bonus stages.

It’s been almost a decade since NetEnt introduced us to Piggy Riches, one of their earliest and most successful online slots. The game transports you to the lavish abode of Lady and Gentleman Pig for the chance to steal a hefty share of the couple’s fortune. Like a lot of players, we’ve always loved Piggy Riches for its abundance of bonus features and decent win potential. Admittedly, the slot’s started to look a little dated in recent years though.

So, we were more than just a little bit excited when we heard about a brand-new edition of the classic. Released as part of a collaboration between NetEnt and Red Tiger, Piggy Riches MegaWays is no doubt one of the most hotly anticipated slots of 2020. Read on to hear what we think now we’ve had the chance to play it for ourselves.

About the Slot

Piggy Riches MegaWays is one of the first online slot games to come from new partners NetEnt and Red Tiger. The slot features 6 reels and up to 117,649 ways to win thanks to a MegaWays Game Engine.

It’s nice and easy to play. Simply select your bet level – you can stake anything from 10p to £20 per spin – and hit the spin button to set the reels in motion. The optional Turbo Mode is great for those who want to pack more spins into a single gaming session.

Theme and Design

It probably comes as no surprise that Piggy Riches MegaWays looks a million-times better than its predecessor. Everything from the symbols on the reels to the pigs’ mansion backdrop is brighter, sharper and more appealing.

Though they’ve had a much-needed 3D makeover, Gentleman and Lady Pig are just as rich as you remember. The sophisticated swine are still rolling in cash, and symbols on the reels are all the signs of their wealth. Expect keys to sports cars, fat wallets, bulging purses, jewels, credit cards and overflowing piggy banks.

Bonus Features

Like we said, the abundance of bonus features is a big selling point for the original Piggy Riches. Luckily, the new MegaWays edition boasts all the features we love and more.

First things first, let’s talk about the addition of MegaWays. Powered by Red Tiger under licence from Big Time Gaming, the MegaWays Game Engine replaces the traditional 15-bet line setup of the classic Piggy Riches. On every spin, up to 7 symbols can now land on each of the 6 reels. This creates up to 117,649 ways to win.

Other bonus features worth shouting about in Piggy Riches MegaWays include Lady Pig’s Free Spins Bonus. Land 3 Lady Pig symbols anywhere on the reels to trigger her Wheel of Fortune. Give it a spin to win up to 22 Free Spins with a x10 Win Multiplier. This could certainly help you on the way to winning the game’s top prize: 10,000x your stake.

Our Verdict

Just as we expected, we’re big fans of Piggy Riches MegaWays. Combining the characters and bonus features we love from the original Piggy Riches with even better win potential, this slot is everything we were hoping it would be. To give it a spin for yourself, head to the online casino bgo.com.

A Short History of Slots Games

The history of slots is not as long as that of other types of gambling games like roulette, blackjack, and such. In fact, poker machines got invented less than 120 years ago, and some might be surprised to learn that they have only been around since the later parts of the 19th century.

Charles Fey, Inventor Extraordinaire

Charles Fey immigrated to the United States of America from Germany, and eventually settled down in San Francisco. He was the owner of a machine shop, but enjoyed inventing things on the side.

In the late 1880s and through to the early 1890s, Fey started designing gambling machines. In 1895 he managed to finish the Liberty Bell machine, the prototype of the pokies online we enjoy today. It made use of three mechanical reels in order to randomise icons.

The Slot Machine is Born

Within a few short years, Fey had marketed the machines to saloons and bars across the San Francisco area, and the locals popularised what they named slot machines, what would eventually be known as pokies in Australia and New Zealand. The games initially paid out small sums of money, but then local and state laws prohibited betting for cash and the machines paid out gums, fruits, and other small items instead.

Slot Machines Head to Las Vegas

Eventually these slots games were banned in California and the rest of the USA, and it wasn’t until 1931 that Nevada legalised casino gambling. The vast desert state had a very sparse population, and leaders were facing a severe revenue shortage. The decision to allow gambling in the hopes of collecting taxes from this activity was intended to help the state remain solvent. The eventual construction of the Hoover Dam saw the area finally beginning to draw the rich and powerful elements from nearby Los Angeles, and the gambling Mecca we know so well today started taking root.

The Post World War II Boom

When the Second World War ended, the USA dove into a time of unparalleled prosperity. The soldiers returning from the front were intent on building families and making fortunes, but they were also interested in finding new, more glamorous ways of relaxing. Thanks to the creation of the interstate highway systems, and jet engines becoming used for aviation purposes, Americans were able to travel in ways they had never managed to before. By the time the 1950s rolled around, Las Vegas had become a gambling destination for not only the wealthiest Americans, but for middle-class vacationers as well.

The Appeal of the Slot Machine

The slot machine in particular appealed to these visitors because the game required no particular level of skill or mastery to play, and win. The 50s and 60s were also a period of history in which mechanical marvels seized the imagination of the common Joe, and so this mechanised entertainment proved a very popular draw card for the Las Vegas casinos.

The Electronic Gaming Machine is Born

In the 1960s the electronic gaming machine’s invention brought along with a veritable wave of innovations that went far beyond the accumulated jackpot. Developers for these games started introducing multiple paylines, bonus games, free spin features and the gamble feature, and the obsession with slots games as we know it today was born. Nowadays you can play slots online and at land based casinos, and even on a smartwatch. The games have changed in so many ways, but in many others they remain just the same.