Bitcoin Slots
The most widespread and commonly used cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has spread to the world of online gaming. This coincides well with online casinos, as already we see a number of casinos that accept Bitcoin payments, and some which are exclusive to the currency itself.
There are plenty of merits of using this currency to play online; quicker withdrawals, completely anonymous play, exclusive games and many more.
Are Bitcoin slots different than regular slots?
You won’t need telling that slots are already your most played game at casinos – Bitcoin or not. The first question that may pop in your head is whether there are any differences between Bitcoin and regular slots.
The answer to that is simple, besides the currency you use to spin, the games carry the same functions by way of paylines, bonus games, symbols and so on.
Of course, there are games created exclusively for Bitcoin play, but they themselves do not deviate from the standard game structure you’re used to seeing nowadays.
Games available
By this time, we’re seeing industry leading gaming suppliers in the likes of NetEnt and Microgaming adapting their titles for Bitcoin use.
This means that, for the most part, whatever’s the latest and greatest – you’ll be able to play it by using this currency.
The Bitcoin games on offer come in all shapes and sizes, as they do normally. You can play anything from classic fruit machines to the latest video slots boasting the finest aesthetical qualities and special features. Below you’ll find examples to illustrate our point:
Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses is one of NetEnt’s latest creations, and already we can see this slot game entering their hall of fame as one of the most played and most popular games overall.
The game boasts Legend Re-Spins, Expanding Wilds, the Appetite for Destruction Wild, Encore Free Spins, the Crowd Pleaser bonus game and the Solo Multiplier. That’s six different special features and bonus rounds.
By no means is the abundance of bonus rounds a marketing gimmick of sorts. No, Guns N’ Roses offers exactly what you’d expect for it; frequent wins, big wins and loads of entertainment.
Whether you’re looking to wager your bonus or steadily supplement your bankroll, this slot machine is a good bet either way.
Twin Spin
This is another massively played and popular NetEnt video slot, one which boasts the charm and appeal of classic fruit machines. The game is unique thanks to its main attributes – the 243 ways to win and the Twin Reel feature.
Each spin of the reels starts with at least two linked, identical reels – hence its name of Twin Spin. The identical reels can expand to cover 3, 4 or 5 reels – which can go towards creating some absurd wins.
The game also boasts a Wild symbol, but that is the extent of it. You won’t find a traditional bonus round in any form. This is hardly a downside, as the slot’s base game heftily compensates for the lack thereof.
Starburst
Starburst and NetEnt go hand in hand, as this game has, over time, become synonymous for the gaming supplier in question. Taking the game’s popularity in consideration, you’d be surprised that Starburst, similarly to Twin Spin, carries no bonus rounds and special features.
Instead, the main attraction besides its aesthetical appeal, is the Expanding Wild in the base game alongside its lucrative base symbols e.g. jewels. The Starburst Wild can appear on reels 2, 3 or 4.
Once it appears, it expands to cover the entire reel, while triggering a re-spin at the same time. You can trigger up to 3 re-spins, and get up to 3 Expanding Wilds on your reels. This speaks of the big win ceiling of this slot, which is undoubtedly why it’s become a fan-favorite to many.
Immortal Romance
A staple high variance game if there ever was one, Immortal Romance is one of those games which hardly offers a middle ground to players.
You’ll either exhaust your bankroll, or you’ll come out with a tenfold multiplication of what you started out with. Of course, this is not to be taken in literal terms.
Immortal Romance’s base game won’t raise many eyebrows, because this slot’s lucrative side is hiding almost exclusively in the bonus rounds and random trigger feature. Albeit, there is a Wild symbol alongside the Scatter which acts as a multiplier in itself.
Nonetheless, as you trigger the game’s bonus round (Chamber of Spins) via 3 or more Scatters, you’ll progressively unlock its 4 different Free Spin features – Amber, Troy, Michael and Sarah. Each offers different merits of its own, and you can get up to 25 free spins, which can be retriggered, in a single bonus round.
To top it off, the Wild Desire random trigger can turn up to 5 reels into Wilds, which needless to say, can create massive wins unlike any other.
Book of Ra
A land casino classic that also mirrors its popularity online, continues in the same fashion across Bitcoin casinos. Book of Ra is one of Novomatic’s proudest creations, and to this day it remains undisputed in its own right.
This Egyptian flavored slot also hides its treasures in the bonus round, but the base game has virtues of its own to boot.
Three of more Scatters in Book of Ra will trigger 10 free spins, upon which activation a random symbol will be selected to act as an Expanding Wild. The potentially is definitely high. What’s more, the free spins can be indefinitely re-triggered.
Progressive Jackpots
You may think that progressive slots have been omitted from Bitcoin play, due to the currency’s limited and unique nature. However, that is not the case, and there are Bitcoin jackpots to be won with thousands of Bitcoins in rewards.
In fact, some of the most widespread jackpot slots can also be played for Bitcoin. NetEnt’s Mega Fortune and Hall of Gods, as well as Microgaming’s fabled Mega Moolah – the highest paying progressive game today, are but a few examples of what’s on offer. Naturally, there is a solid array of Bitcoin-only progressive slots to boot.
Most Common slot Terms Explained
Before diving into the advanced mechanics and features you’ll come across the hundreds of slots available today, it’s crucial we make a rundown of the very basics that will undoubtedly help you achieve better results when playing.
Scatter
The Scatter is one of the most common symbols among slots. It is the symbol in charge of triggering all the various bonus rounds you see.
Usually, three or more Scatters on your paylines will activate the slot’s bonus round, be it free spins or a pick to win game.
In some slots, this symbol acts as a multiplier in itself, but in some it serves no purposes other than generating the bonus round.
Wild
The Wild is more common than the Scatter, and its present in virtually every slot. The main benefit of this symbol is that it acts as a substitute for nearly all symbols except for the Scatter – if it is present.
Its main purpose is multiplying wins, and over time game makers have gotten quite creative with this type of symbol and released numerous wild variations across slots.
Bonus Round
The bonus rounds themselves are what makes modern video slots stand out, besides their graphically intense façade and five reel system – of course. Barring the jackpot, this is where you’ll be making your money when playing slots.
Usually, the bonus round consists of free spins, but it can also offer a simple pick to win game where you can earn various multipliers and/or additional rewards.
With so many slots around, you may be wondering what makes each one desirable to play? How would you know if a certain slot is matched to your taste?
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with following recommendations online, whether it’s by way of reviews or other users’ opinions.
However, to be able to conclude by yourself what kind of slot you’re facing without having played it beforehand, you’ll need to get a grasp of two concepts; RTP and Volatility.
We’ll explain both as you read below, and next time you play you may have a clearer understanding of what’s ahead of you.
RTP
RTP stands for Return To Player, and it is one of the first things you should look at when examining a slot.
This information is easily accessible most of the time, as most gaming suppliers have no issues with disclosing the RTP of their slots.
The RTP signifies the theoretical returns you should expect over an extended period of time. Since its theoretical, you can’t expect the exact same return that’s listed over a couple of days of play.
A return of 95% or above is generally good to have. Progressive slots have a lower RTP because they’re making way for the big jackpot, meaning the base game won’t be as lucrative. There are Bitcoin slots that go up to 99% even, but RTP is only half of the story.
Volatility
Slot volatility or variance as it’s also called is of equal importance as RTP – if not greater. It determines how frequently the slot pays, as well as how much does it pay. Volatility can also be loosely translated to “risk” while playing.
A low variance slot pays frequently, but in smaller increments. A high variance slot doesn’t pay as often, but when it does its usually a much higher multiplier of your stake.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to see great multiplier wins in low variance slots, but players tend to go for medium to high variance games in search for that immense bankroll boost.
Blood Suckers is a fantastic example of a low variance slot, it’s got multiple bonus rounds that that are often triggered, on top of a RTP of 98%. It’s great for wagering your bonus whenever possible and slowly increasing your bankroll.
This is why this slot often contributes less towards the wagering of a bonus in most online casinos. Immortal Romance, on the other hand, is a perfect example of a high variance slot. The base game isn’t as rewarding as you’d like, and you have to hope for a big win during the lucrative bonus round or via the random trigger feature.
In general, you should play low variance games if you’re looking to keep a somewhat steady flow of game-play, and high variance slots if you’re looking to go “all in” in hopes of accruing a massive win.
Determining slot variance is not as easy as RTP, you’ll have to examine the pay table, bonus rounds and special symbols. You can always get a firsthand feel of a game by playing for fun.
Bitcoin slots Features
As we already mentioned, Bitcoin slots are either identical copies of previously existing slots or new ones designed from the ground up. Regardless of game type, there is a variety of advanced features and mechanics involved in slots that you’ll come across when playing. You should do your best to memorize what each one does in order to avoid confusion when playing.
Wilds
Expanding Wilds
This is the most common wild symbol variation, and you’ll see a number of popular slots built around it, making the symbol the game’s main, most lucrative attribute. Albeit, plenty of slots also reserve this feature for the bonus round.
Regardless of where you can encounter it, whenever this type of symbol appears it will expand to cover up the entire reel from top to bottom.
Stacked Wilds
Stacked wilds are not all too different from expanding wilds, but while the latter appears as one wild and expands to cover up the entire reel, the former can only appear as a stack of symbols across a certain reel.
Shifting Wilds
This wild is also referred to as the transferring or walking wild. This type of symbol is in essence a sticky wild; the difference being is that it moves across your reels with each consecutive spin.
Sticky Wilds
This type of symbol is rather self-explanatory. When it appears on your reels, it will remain in place e.g. stick for a couple more spins. Multiple stacked wilds can appear at once, greatly enhancing your chances of winning.
Different slots have different rules for this type of symbol, but most of the time a sticky wild remains in place for 2-3 spins. This feature is usually reserved for bonus rounds.
Once you’ve gotten a grasp on all wild symbols, you can take a look at some additional features that are always good to have in a slot.
Essential slot Features
Re-Spins
Respins are quite encompassing, and they themselves come with a couple of variations. In essence, a respin is an additional spin that breaks the natural flow of gameplay.
They are not to be mistaken with free spins, as most of the time they have a usual cost per spin. In Starburst, a respin is awarded when you trigger the game’s expanding wild.
In Guns N’ Roses, three re-spins are awarded completely at random with multiple expanding wilds in play. In some Microgaming games, you are allowed to respin to your heart’s content at a varying cost.
As you can see, this type of feature greatly varies depending on which game you’re playing. In any case, without exception, it is a welcomed addition to have.
Random Triggers
Random triggers are your slot pseudo-jackpots. Of course, they offer far from the millions jackpots can boast, but they tend to be scarce and ridiculously lucrative in their own right. A random trigger feature can reward players with a number of things.
In Immortal Romance, the Wild Desire random trigger converts up to 5 reels into wilds, but it is very, very rare.
In Guns N’ Roses, however, the much more frequently seen Appetite for Destruction Wild can appear as a huge overlay symbol and cover half the screen, turning everything it replaces into a wild symbol.
This type of feature shouldn’t be your main, nor secondary factor on whether you should play a certain slot or not. Instead, it is considered as a nice extra feature alongside a rich base and bonus game.
Cascading Reels
Cascading Reels, Avalanche Reels, Tumbling Reels – they go by many names, but are essentially the same thing. The reason for the discrepancy in names is because of the different software providers in charge of creating them.
The reels are the essence of a slot. When you change them up, you’re shaking up the very foundation of the game itself. This is why slots with different types of reels have grown in popularity in the past few years.
While you’re playing a slot of this type, when you trigger a winning combination, the winning symbols will disperse and make room for more symbols to drop down from above.
In some cases, the winning symbols stay in place while other symbols drop down, even further enhancing your chances of forming a greater winning combination.
Gamble
This is one of the oldest slot features that’s most commonly found in your classic fruit machines. Its popularity lead this feature to make its way to the most played video slots we all know and love today.
When you trigger a win, you’ll have the option of gambling said win. If you choose to do so, most often you’ll have the choice of picking a card color or any other arbitrary 50/50 game. Should you guess right, your win is doubled, but if you lose the gamble at any point you will lose everything earned so far.
Gambling is a very volatile feature, because as good at it is it can also take advantage of greedy players. Whether you should play a slot of this type is something you should evaluate by yourself.
Win Both Ways
If your run of the mill slot pays all symbols from left to right, Win Both Ways slots break this tradition and pay from right to left as well.
As a result of this, games of this type have fewer pay-lines than usual and generally don’t boast all too many special features. Naturally, this is compensated by the slot’s core game structure itself.
Bonus Features
Regardless of type of bonus feature, it is almost without exception triggered by 3 or more of the game’s Scatter symbols. Unless you’re playing a very different slot which pays quite well in the base game, you should always look to play a slot with at least one bonus feature.
Free Spins Bonus Feature
Free spins are your most sought after and most commonly found bonus feature among modern slots today. When triggered, you are given any amount between 10-25 free spins, albeit exceptions do exist.
Of course, the free spins by themselves are nothing all too special, which is why they are usually complemented by an additional multiplier on each spin or a type of wild such as expanding, sticky, stacked and more.
Pick to Win Bonus Feature
Game makers are at liberty with getting creative with this type of bonus feature, but its core aspect of picking/clicking to win remains unchanged. In some games, you can get a multiplier of your initial win.
In others, you can unlock free spins and in some it is a combination of both. It may not be the most exciting of features, and it can lead to some frustration, but in general they tend to be more lucrative than free spins if a game offers both.
Bitcoin Mobile Casinos
Mobile gaming has been on a massive rise these past few years, which is why more or less every Bitcoin casino is compatible across your smartphones and tablets.
Mobile bitcoin slots fall under the equation as well, and here are some of our highly recommended Bitcoin casinos as far as slots variety and quality is concerned.
7Bit Casino
7Bit is ahead of most casinos of this type because of their quality of service and variety. Their gorgeously designed website and navigation system is deserving of a special mention as well.
The casino boasts a gaming collection provided by some of the industry’s finest; Microgaming, Betsoft, NetEnt and more. As a new player, you can collect several bonuses, free spin awards as well as cashback. On top of that, you have a support team at your disposal 24/7 via live chat and e-mail.
BitCasino.io
BitCasino boasts some of the finest blend of Bitcoin slots, some of which can be categorized as mainstream but there’s also a decent variety of Bitcoin exclusives. They’re brought on by over 10 different software suppliers.
The welcome bonus amounts to 1 BTC in the form of a 100% match, but there is also a 2nd deposit bonus, as well as a number of Reload and VIP bonuses to speak of. If you have any queries, you can always resort to the FAQ section or by directly contacting support via e-mail and live chat.
mBit Casino
mBit Casino offers a variety of unique slots you’ll seldom come across elsewhere. What’s more, you can find info on whether the slot has a bonus game, free spins and betting range before playing.
You can also play a good amount of table games if you feel the need to mix it up every now and then. The welcome bonus for new players amounts to 250 mBTC in the form of a 110% match.
Moreover, live chat with swift response times is available at all times to your bottom right should you ever run into issues.
There are naturally a much higher variety of Bitcoin casinos to choose from, but the reason we’re singling out the above mentioned casinos is their transparency and trustworthiness.
You get what you pay for, and they won’t try to scam you out of your winnings using immoral practices and what have you.
Most important of all, the withdrawal times at these casinos tend to be quicker than most, and most definitely quicker than traditional payment methods.
