When they just appeared, slots were, above all else, famous for their simple (not so say primitive) gameplay. Today, they have more features than any other online casino game.
Cascading Reels
Cascading reels work this way: when you land a combo, the symbols disappear, and new ones drop in. That can lead to multiple wins from just one spin. Titles like Gonzo’s Quest or Reactoonz use cascading reels. You can test these with free spins at MrGreen Casino: they give 50 free spins to new players plus there are game-specific free spins.
The best thing about cascading reels is that they bring multipliers with them. That means a small win can grow faster if the cascades keep coming. Some games even ramp up the multiplier with each cascade.
Expanding Wilds and Sticky Wilds
When they land, they turn the reel into wild symbols for the rest of the spin. It helps to create wanted combinations across multiple paylines from just one spin. Sticky wilds, however, stay in place for several spins. It sticks to its spot when it hits while the other reels keep spinning.
Check out titles where wilds come with multipliers or trigger free spins, as these can really boost your payouts. For example, Jammin’ Jars and Book of Dead can be a good choice for a start. Remember that they depend on luck, so don’t expect to hit wild symbols all the time.
Multi-Level Bonus Games
Here, there are several stages when you hit the bonus trigger. Each stage or level offers bigger rewards and is a little harder than the previous one. If starting such a game, prepare yourself for the challenge.
Look for titles with skill-based or decision-driven bonus games, so you could control your gameplay (at least, a bit). Slots like Guns N’ Roses and Deal or No Deal let you use your skills to influence the outcome.
Keep in mind how the mini-games work. In Guns N’ Roses, you start by picking hidden symbols for instant prizes, but the choices get trickier as you move through the stages. In Deal or No Deal, you pick briefcases with potentially bigger rewards as you go, so adapt your strategy.
Megaways
Instead of sticking to fixed paylines, these games use a dynamic system where the number of symbols on each reel shifts with every spin. The number of ways you can win on each spin can reach up to 117,649 in some games. Such slots have cascading reels sometimes, where winning symbols vanish, and new ones fall into place.
For the best results, choose Megaways slots with cascading reels or free spins. For example, you may like Bonanza and Piggy Riches Megaways. They offer both Megaways mechanics and some bonus options.
Volatility in Megaways slots can differ a lot, so keep an eye on it. If you’re new to these games, starting with lower-volatility slots is a good idea to get a feel for how they work.
Pick-and-Click Features
With pick-and-click features, you get a choice of hidden items or objects to pick from. Each choice reveals an instant prize (mostly cash), multiplier, or bonus. It also looks like a mini-game but is more interactive and less repetitive.
It is better to look for slots combining pick-and-click features with bonuses like free spins. You can try Wheel of Fortune and Sweet Bonanza as they have both. Also, don’t forget to track how many picks you get and what each one might reveal. Some online slots offer better rewards or more picks, so it’s better to spend some time to find a better option.
Win Multipliers and Progressive Multipliers
Win multipliers boost your wins by a fixed amount — like 2x or 5x — applied to your total win from a spin. These can be hit in regular play and bonus features. Progressive multipliers grow with each consecutive win or spin, so you start with a base multiplier, and every win boosts it further.
Target slots with progressive multipliers that build up during free spins or bonus rounds for the biggest impact. You can try Raging Rhino Megaways or The Dog House Megaways, as they have it all.
Most games show how the multiplier grows and what its maximum limit is. Keep an eye on this, especially during bonus rounds.
Conclusion
Each of these features adds something cool. Explore slots with these features to potentially score bigger payouts. Mix things up and have fun!