Who writes these guides?

Spin, the South African social casino at spin.co.za. We state that on every page, because these guides recommend Spin and a site hiding that connection while doing so would not be worth reading.

Do these guides apply to real-money slots?

The mechanics do: RTP, volatility, paylines and random number generation work the same way whatever the stake. What differs is the consequence, which is covered in the social casino versus real money guide.

Is Spin real-money gambling?

Spin is a social casino played with Gold Coins. Gold Coins have no monetary value. It is 18+.

SPINGuides

Spin Guides

How the games
actually work

RTP, volatility, paylines, random number generators and bonus mechanics, explained properly and without the marketing. Written for South African players by the people who build the games.

Start reading Play free on Spin

The numbers

What RTP actually means Return to player is the most quoted and least understood number in slots. What the percentage describes, what it does not promise, and why it says nothing about your session. 5 min read
Volatility, and why two games with the same RTP feel nothing alike Volatility describes the shape of the outcomes rather than the total. It is the single most useful word on a game page and the one most often skipped. 5 min read

Mechanics

Paylines vs ways to win Twenty lines or 4,096 ways: the difference is real, and it changes how a game pays rather than how much. 4 min read
Wilds, scatters and bonus rounds The three mechanics behind almost every modern slot feature, and what retrigger, expanding and sticky actually do. 5 min read
How to read a paytable Every slot publishes its own rules and almost nobody opens them. A walk through what is in there and which parts matter. 5 min read

Under the hood

How random number generators work What an RNG is, why the reels are decided before they stop spinning, and what independent testing of one involves. 6 min read

Context

Social casino vs real money gambling Gold Coins, sweepstakes and licensed betting are three different things. Which is which in South Africa, and what changes between them. 6 min read
Eight slot myths that will not die Hot machines, due payouts, stopping the reels early and the rest. Where each myth comes from and why the mathematics disagrees. 7 min read