Have you ever found yourself wondering why there are so many Slingo games at online casinos today?
The answer is simple: Slingo is a huge hit with players across the UK and beyond, and fans are always keen for new releases to hit the market. Slingo appeals to everyone who plays slots, bingo, or both, with a growing roster of titles to enjoy.
But what is Slingo, and what are the most important details newcomers need to know before playing? In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore the Slingo concept, how to play Slingo games online, must-play Slingo releases, and more to help you understand what this popular hybrid genre has to offer.
The Unique Slingo Concept Explained
Slingo is a unique combination of slots and bingo, blending the most important elements of both genres into one exciting new game type that has taken the iGaming world by storm.
The goal when you play Slingo online is simple: mark off numbers across a 5x5 card to create winning lines and grab prizes. But Slingo games don’t feature bingo callers — numbers are revealed by spinning a set of reels below the card instead.
Do you need to be an expert in slots and bingo games to understand how to play Slingo? Not at all — Slingo titles are easy enough to play that anyone, no matter how inexperienced you might be, can pick them up in no time. Slingo mechanics ensure that gameplay is always smooth, fast, and straightforward.
What Is Slingo?
Slingo is a mix between slots and bingo, hence its name. It’s derived from the most popular bingo variant which is 75-ball bingo, and it incorporates the spinning reels element of online slots.
The idea is to mark off numbers in the grid as you would in a game of bingo, by matching them to the numbers that appear on the reels. You also get incremental wins by climbing a prize ladder.
Introducing Slingo Game Rules and Mechanics
Here’s a breakdown of the Slingo mechanics and main rules you need to know before you start playing:
- Core gameplay: Slingo unfolds across 10 or 11 consecutive spins.
- Playing area: Each Slingo game includes a 5x5 card/grid (5 columns, 5 rows).
- Reels: A set of 5 reels, with 1 row, sits below the grid. This reveals 5 random symbols on each spin.
- Symbols: The symbols are either numbers (typically 1 - 75) or bonus symbols. Bonus symbols can help you win in different ways.
- Completing Slingos: Your goal is simple — match numbers on the reels to those on the grid to mark off lines (creating ‘Slingos’) and win prizes.
The best Slingo games include reader-friendly rules to help you understand how they work, but most follow the same pattern and structure. With that in mind, here’s how to play Slingo online:
- Decide how much you want to bet on each spin, then use the stake controls to set up your wager. The betting limits vary from game to game.
- Push the ‘spin’ button to start playing Slingo games. The reels will spin to reveal 5 random numbers or symbols. You may need to spin manually each time in some games, whereas the reels roll automatically in others. The number of spins remaining is displayed at all times.
- Match numbers on the reels to those on the grid. Each time you do that, the matched numbers are marked off the card automatically.
- Mark off a line of numbers in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal pattern to complete a Slingo.
- Slingos award a specific prize shown on the prize ladder. The more Slingos you complete, the higher up the prize ladder you climb.
- Slingo games include 12 win lines and 11 awards, as the final number on the grid is always worth at least 2 win lines.
- Any free spins you collect play out once all standard spins end.
- If you want to keep playing, you can pay for extra spins at the end of the game. But always think carefully before you buy extra spins, and remember to play responsibly.
See how simple it is? Now that you know the basics of how to play Slingo games online, see where it all started — play the first-ever Slingo online game, Slingo Riches, now!
Slingo Symbols Explained: Wilds, Blockers, and Free Spins
Symbols are a critical element of Slingo game design, and several types can land on the reels on each spin.
Here are the main Slingo symbols explained:
- Numbers: Number symbols are the most common. These may or may not correspond to numbers on the grid. If you create a match, the number on the grid is marked off, bringing you closer to completing a Slingo.
- Joker: The Joker symbol in Slingo games lets you mark off any number on the column above it. This could be all you need to finish a Slingo horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. In some games, Jokers may be referred to as ‘Wilds’ instead.
- Super Joker: The Super Joker symbol in Slingo is similar to the standard Joker, but it invites you to mark off ANY number on the grid. That gives you a big advantage, especially if you only need one more number to create a Slingo. In some games, Super Jokers may be referred to as ‘Super Wilds’ instead.
- Free Spin: Free Spin symbols give you a free play at the end of the round.
- Devil/Blocker: A Devil/Blocker symbol can make it harder for you to complete Slingos on the grid.
The Best Slingo Games for Beginners
Most players should find Slingo mechanics easy to understand, but it can still take time to pick up the rhythm and structure of the gameplay. Some Slingo releases are better suited to beginners than others, so we recommend learning the ropes in those before advancing to slightly more complex titles.
Such as? Here are four of the best Slingo games to help you get started:
Slingo Riches
As the first online game to include Slingo mechanics, this is the absolute best place for newcomers to begin. Slingo Riches features eye-catching graphics and straightforward gameplay: just spin the reels and try to match numbers to create Slingos.
Land Coin symbols on the middle column to win instant cash prizes. Payouts of up to 200x your bet and free spins are up for grabs.
Slingo Extreme
Like Slingo Riches but want to play for bigger prizes? It might be time to move onto Slingo Extreme, a stylish next step on a beginner’s Slingo journey. This is still quite basic like the original Slingo release, but its prize ladder can award more generous payouts of up to 500x your bet.
Slingo Sweet Bonanza
Do you have a sweet tooth? Play for tasty cash wins of up to 1,600x your bet — more than 3x the maximum payout of Slingo Extreme — in Slingo Sweet Bonanza.
As one of the best beginner-friendly Slingo games, Slingo Sweet Bonanza is packed with colour and charm. If you’re familiar with the popular Sweet Bonanza slot, you’ll recognise the sugary theming and design.
Complete at least eight Slingos to unlock the Candy Bomb bonus: this pick-and-click game gives you a chance to top up your overall winnings. Get more helpful details on this game in our Slingo Sweet Bonanza guide.
Slingo Rainbow Riches
Played the Rainbow Riches slot series? Immerse yourself in more cheery Irish-themed gameplay with Slingo Rainbow Riches. It awards the biggest top prize of all the beginner-friendly Slingo games on this list — 3,666x your bet!
Slingo Rainbow Riches also includes an amazing seven bonus rounds, bringing you a deeper gaming experience and more opportunities to win. The bonuses include Wishing Well, Cash Crop, Magic Toadstool, and Road to Riches.
If you’re ready to progress to more advanced Slingo releases after trying simpler titles, Slingo Rainbow Riches is the way to go.
Essential Tips on How to Play Slingo for Beginners
Here are four tips to help you get off to a strong start with Slingo games:
- Focus on free spins first: Choose Slingo titles that offer free spins. This is a simple, cost-effective way to find your feet and build confidence as you learn how Slingo mechanics work. When you’re ready, start spinning with paid bets instead. But keep your real-money wagers low and stick to your betting limit to play responsibly.
- Think carefully when using Jokers and Super Jokers: Joker symbols, standard and Super, offer a chance to create Slingos more easily. But choose which positions you mark off carefully: look for areas where win lines may intersect to boost your likelihood of completing Slingos.
- Avoid extra spins as a beginner: Extra spins invite you to keep the game running after your standard and free spins end. But each one has a specific price, which may substantially increase your overall wagering on a Slingo game. Once you’ve used any free spins available, collect your winnings and move on. You may want to wait until you feel more comfortable and confident in how to play Slingo games before buying extra spins.
- Measure risk carefully: Pay attention to volatility and Return to Player (RTP) when browsing Slingo titles. Volatility determines the average frequency and size of payouts, ranging from low to high. RTP represents the percentage of wagers likely to be returned over time (the average for slots is 96%). To minimise risk, beginners may prefer to play Slingo releases with low volatility — get the lowdown on the top options in our guide to the most-played low-volatility Slingo games.
Ready to Roll? Play the Best Slingo Games for Beginners Now
As a beginner, understanding how to play Slingo online can seem daunting at first — but this guide has shown how easy it is, even for first-time players. The wide range of Slingo titles on the market offers something for all tastes, whether you want to play releases inspired by TV shows, Irish folklore, or any number of other subjects.
Slingo.com is the online home of Slingo games, featuring the biggest and best releases available. The top titles offer you the chance to win big with Slingo, with potentially thousands of times your bet waiting at the top of the prize ladder.
Ready to get started? Discover classic and brand-new Slingo releases in our massive collection now!
