Symbols
Scatter symbols are an important part of a slot game, as they provide winning payouts. They can also trigger special features, such as free spins or bonus games. In Gonzo’s Quest, for instance, a player must hit three golden scatter symbols anywhere on the first three reels to trigger the Free Fall bonus. During the Free Fall bonus, multipliers increase and free spins are awarded.
Paylines
The paylines in a slot game are the number of symbols that can be placed on the reels to create winning combinations. The higher the number of symbols on a payline, the higher the payout. Some slots have as many as 1,024 paylines. To find out how many paylines a slot game has, check the paytable.
Bonus features
Bonus features are special mini-games that trigger when a specific combination of symbols appears on the reels. They are often aligned with the theme of the slot and can greatly increase a player’s chances of winning. These can range from extra free spins to multipliers to jackpots. They also offer a great way to increase a player’s bankroll.
Reel design
A slot’s reel design is one of its most important components. This component controls the frequency of symbols on a game’s pay-table. The virtual reel strip provides a weighting system for each space; some spaces have more chance of stopping while others have fewer chances. The weighting system dictates the distribution of wins and can help guide design decisions. For instance, the first two bonus symbols will appear more often than the third, and high-paying symbols will appear more rarely in certain reels.
Variance
The Variance of Slot is a measure of the volatility of a slot game. While it’s easy to identify slots with high volatility, it’s not always possible to judge a game’s variance without playing it a large number of times. Some games are low variance while others have extremely high variance. It’s important to understand that each game’s variance may be different for different players, and a low variance slot may not be for you if you’re on a losing streak.