When it comes to online casino platforms, there are many games to choose from, including Slots, Bingo, and Slingo, just to name a few.
But what is Slingo, and how does it differ from Slots? With these questions in mind, we wanted to look at what both Slots and Slingo are, and what the key differences are between them, so the next time you head to the virtual casino floor to play online Slots or Slingo, you’ll know exactly what they are.
Slots
Slots are traditional casino games that have been around for more than a century. They originated as mechanical devices but have since evolved into both physical and digital forms, with online Slots being particularly popular.
- Gameplay: Slot machines involve spinning reels, typically three or five, that contain various symbols. Players place a bet and spin the reels in the hopes that certain combinations of symbols align across designated paylines. Modern slot machines often include multiple paylines, wild symbols, scatters, and bonus rounds that can add extra opportunities to create matching symbol combinations across the reels and rows.
- Randomness: A Random Number Generator (RNG) determines a slot spin’s outcome, ensuring that each spin is independent and unpredictable.
- Themes and variations: Slots come in various themes and styles, from classic fruit machines to modern video Slots based on popular movies, TV shows, or other cultural references. The variety in themes, features, and potential jackpots make Slots a versatile and popular gaming option.
Slingo
Slingo is a hybrid game that combines elements of both Slots and Bingo, creating a unique game that blends the classic game of Slots with the grid-based gameplay of Bingo.
- Gameplay: In Slingo, players are presented with a 5×5 grid, similar to a Bingo card, with numbers randomly assigned to each space. Below the grid is a single row of spinning reels resembling those in a slot machine. Players spin the reels, and numbers (or special symbols) appear. If a number matches one on the grid, it is marked off. The goal is to mark off as many numbers as possible, completing lines horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, much like in Bingo.
- Bonus features: Slingo games often include various bonus rounds and power-ups that add additional layers to the gameplay, such as free spins, multipliers, or mini-games, creating the opportunity to create future Slingos across the Bingo card element of the game.
Key differences
- Game structure: Slots focus purely on spinning reels and matching symbols, while Slingo combines reel-spinning with Bingo-style grid marking.
- Player interaction: Slots require minimal interaction beyond placing bets and spinning, whereas Slingo involves more player decisions, especially when special symbols are used.
- Winning criteria: In Slots, wins are based on specific symbol combinations along paylines. In Slingo, wins are based on completing lines on a Bingo-like grid.
To sum up the games and their key differences – Slots and Slingo share similarities in relying on random outcomes, but Slingo introduces a blend of Bingo elements, making it a distinctly different game than traditional Slots.