Slots games. They make no sense. Until they do.

For as long as I could remember, the slots games I’d encounter were completely nonsensical. You push a bunch, a bunch of colors and symbols go by, and I’d win 80 cents with zero understanding of what just occurred or how my quarter led to 80 cents. After a few spins, I’d think this game sucks and walk away. It also doesn’t help that my lasting image of the slots player is the zombie slots player at a Vegas casino on the wrong end of a 12-hour slots session and multiple packs of cigarettes.

But things have changed for me recently. I’ve broken through. I’m enjoying slots. But I understand the challenges of those of you who are still utterly confused by slots games, and I’m here to help. Here are a few tips to help you understand and enjoy your first foray into the world of slots. Since online slots are available in both PA and New Jersey online casinos, let’s jump in.

1. Ignore the paylines

It’s common advice in the world of slots that you should go check the paytable and learn what the paylines are in the slots game. I think this advice is only for veteran slots players. The reality is if you’re new, you’re probably not going to understand it much and the game will be moving too fast for you anyways to grasp what’s happening with respect to the paylines.

Paylines refer to the horizontal, diagonal and other lines across the grid where you line up symbols to win money. But, seriously, ignore it in the beginning. This isn’t the fun part of slots anyways.


2. Ignore (most of) the symbols

Similar to ignoring the paylines, I recommend ignoring most of the standard symbols. “Which symbol is worth more?!? The Candy Corn or the Clown Face?!?” Who cares. Ignore it. If you really start playing that game a lot, you can figure all that out later. Again, our goal is narrow our focus into the simple and fun elements of the game and paylines and symbols aren’t really the key here in the beginning.

3. Figure out what the bonus or scatter symbols are

The symbols you DO want to figure out are the bonus or scatter symbols. Scatter symbol is an old school slots term that just refers to a special symbol that might be “scattered” anywhere on the grid. Why do you want to know what these are? Because this is how you can trigger bonus rounds in most slots games and this is where the fun is.

Here’s an example. In Cash Eruption, you want fireball symbols. That’s it. You can almost ignore the rest. If you get six fireball symbols, you get launched into a super fun bonus round where you can earn some good payouts. Toward the end of our video here, you can see this in action:

Am I worried about the plum, the lemon and other weird symbols in Cash Eruption? Nope. Just gimmie the fireballs.

You can play Cash Eruption at a number of online casinos. Some of the best online casino bonuses around are:

  • PokerStars Casino has a Wager $1, Get $150 Welcome Bonus plus some free spins on select slots games that you can take advantage of right now. Click here to join. PokerStars Casino does have Cash Eruption if you’d like to try it.
  • We also suggest Golden Nugget online casino where you can deposit $7 and get $77 in casino credits. You can use this to play great slots such as Cash Eruption. Click here to join.

4. Focus on the bonus rounds

As mentioned previously, the bonus rounds are what is fun. Much of slots is hitting spin after spin just trying to get into the bonus round where the excitement really amps up and you can win more cash. The Cash Eruption Bonus round shown above is one of the most thrilling gameplay moments in online slots.

By enjoying the bonus rounds, you’ll start to enjoy slots games.

5. Find the game you understand and enjoy and stick with it

While there are hundreds of titles – too many in my opinion – across most of the igaming apps online, you don’t need to feel the pressure to try all of them. Stick with one or two that you see recommended here on Crossing Broad’s slots page. Give them a real shot, and if you find one you like, it’s completely acceptable to stick with it.

The other option can be to look at the most popular titles on various platforms. Apps such as FanDuel and DraftKings will often show users the most popular games there.

Additionally, when looking for the “best slots games” to play, you’ll often get information such as RTP (return to player) values. I’m not dismissing RTP as irrelevant, but for beginning players, you need to find a game you enjoy, so you can ignore things like RTP and volatility metrics. If you become a regular slots player, then by all means, venture into the world of RTP and volatility as you judge which slots games you might prefer.

Note that online casino is only available in states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut.