Slot games can be confusing for many, especially when playing for the first time. It is best practice to start with games that are easy to understand before attempting any of the larger variety of games available.
Certain titles can become progressively more challenging to understand as bonuses and unique game mechanics diversify. This article will cover some of the best online slots UK for beginners available at the moment.
Starburst
Not only is Starburst one of the best games for beginners, but it is also one of the most popular online slots on the market. NetEnt released this title in 2012, and to this day, it remains in online casinos and is very popular amongst gamers looking for standard base gameplay with a pleasant design style and setting.
The game’s overall design features a traditional 5×3 play table with various gems representing each value and 10 fixed paylines across the reels where symbol combinations could land. Starburst has only eight symbols, with three representing lower values, four representing higher values and a Starburst Wild. The Starburst Wild is the only wild in the game, making it easy to understand bonuses. If a Starburst symbol lands in one of the reels, it will substitute the other two symbols in the reel, forming any potential combinations around them.
The game’s visual look is also relatively simple with the transparent play table, coloured gem symbols, BAR symbol and 7 symbols. The background, too, takes a simplistic approach with a space-themed background, mainly dark, with a planet in the bottom left. This theme is carried through the game with the BAR and 7 symbols, both being designed to look like Saturn.
The reason this game is so good for beginners is because of its basic design and layout, with very easy-to-understand rules and the limited number of symbols that can help beginners understand how slot games work. Players who like the sound of this Starburst slot may also be interested in the Slingo Starburst release, which utilises this popular theme along with the slot/bingo hybrid format.
Big Bass Bonanza
Whilst Big Bass Bonanza is slightly more advanced in terms of symbols and bonuses than Starburst, this popular release by Reel Kingdom offers unique features and play mechanics which set it apart.
The game features a play table, similar to Starburst, of a 5×3 grid with a total number of 10 paylines. The design style of this game follows a popular theme amongst slot games: fishing. The play table itself has a transparent background with bubbles separating the reels. The game’s background is an animated river with underwater plants on either side and a blue sky above the table. The symbols are straightforward forward, with card symbols representing the lower values and higher value symbols represented by fishing-themed imagery. The bonus and money symbols also follow the design theme of the game.
The game is played the same as any other slot, matching the symbols in the paylines with added bonuses throughout. The bonuses are relatively simple in Big Bass Bonanza, with a scatter appearing during the base game and 3+ landing to award free spins. In the free spins bonus only, the wild symbols can land in play with the ability to step in for any base game symbols to make or increase a combination. Along with its ability to step in for other base game symbols, the Fisherman Wild is also a collector in play; should it land in the same spin as any cash prize fish symbols, it will collect and award the prizes on screen. These fish symbols are capable of landing with prize values worth between 2x and 2,000x the bet stake during the free spin bonus in Big Bass Bonanza.
Despite having more symbols and bonus features than the Starburst slot, Big Bass Bonanza is a relatively simple game to understand and play. This makes it ideal for beginners to understand the mechanics, what symbols mean, and how slots work.
Gates Of Olympus
The Gates of Olympus slot by Pragmatic Play remains a simpler slot game, though it introduces players to a new style of slots with unique abilities and gameplay features that set it apart.
Out of the 3, this game is the most detailed design, with a gold and purple play table that features an interesting Greek Mythology-themed setting in the background. The theme is well maintained, with an animated Zeus to the right of the board and symbols of jewellery continuing the theme of the game. The bonus symbols feature a similar style with a unique shape, and the scatter symbol features an image of the Zeus character used in the game’s display.
Gates of Olympus features some unique slot bonuses that are slightly more complicated with its larger 6×5 play table, although it does maintain the simple 10 paylines. The game features a popular tumble feature, meaning any symbol combinations made will be removed, and new symbols will fall into their place. If there are no more combinations, the round will end. Multiplier symbols are also involved in the game, making it more complex for beginners. Free spins can also be unlocked through a combination of scatters, which is just one of many bonus features.
Despite being a more complex game out of the three, it shows off various bonuses and features that new players may encounter in future games. The game is relatively simple compared to other slots with the tumble feature, making it ideal for beginners.
Summary
It is important that players practice responsible gambling when playing slot games. Players must be over 18 years of age to play online casino games in the UK. New bet stake limits of £2 per spin for 18-24-year-olds and £5 for over 25s with slot games are coming into force this April/ May 2025.
Feature image by Darya Sannikova on Pexels
