If you’re new to online slot games, it’s important to understand how they work before you play. The first step is to read the paytable and rules of the game, which will tell you how often you can expect to hit a winning combination. You can then adjust your bet size and click the spin button to begin playing. Many slots also have a tumble or cascade feature that resets the reels and gives you another chance to win.

The main way that online slot machines differ from mechanical ones is in the use of a random number generator. This is a piece of software that ensures every single result is completely random. This is done to guarantee fairness and avoid any bias or corruption. It is audited regularly to make sure that it does its job properly.

Other than this, online slot games are pretty much identical to their mechanical counterparts. You still spin the reels and hope that a line of matching symbols will appear. You can then use the payout table to find out how much you’ve won. It’s also important to check whether there are any wild symbols or bonus features in the game, which can trigger different features or free spin rounds.

Some of these features include multipliers on wins, cascading wilds, and sticky wilds that remain in place for longer. Some slot games even feature a progressive jackpot, which increases each time someone plays the game. It’s a good idea to try out as many games as possible, so that you can get an idea of which ones you like best. You should also familiarise yourself with the different software providers, as each one has a unique style that you might enjoy.