The introduction of Slingo onto online casino platforms has captured the attention of both online bingo players and online slot players. Slingo is a unique hybrid game that merges the best aspects of online bingo and online slots, creating a fast-paced and exciting experience for players. Slingo combines the simplicity of online bingo with the thrill of slot reels, offering an engaging casino experience that changes it up a little. Let’s take a closer look at everything one needs to know about Slingo.
WHAT IS SLINGO?
As we’ve mentioned, Slingo is a hybrid game that brings together the main elements of bingo and slot machines. The objective remains simple and relatively similar to that of online bingo – players aim to mark off numbers in a specific pattern on a grid. However, in Slingo, the numbers are not generated by bingo balls. Instead, these are produced by a set of slot reels spun by the player. When the numbers on the reels match those on the card, players can mark them off, with the objective of completing horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines on the grid.
The slot reels will also introduce additional symbols aside from the bingo numbers, such as jokers and blockers. This gives the game of Slingo an added layer of strategy and excitement, and a sense of interaction that’s sometimes missing in traditional online bingo. The game is played over a fixed number of spins, and the goal is to complete as many lines as possible.
THE HISTORY OF SLINGO
Players will be surprised to know that Slingo was created well before the age of online casinos in 1994 by a real estate developer called Sal Falciglia. Slingo quickly gained traction in brick-and-mortar casinos, and became a popular option for those in search of an interesting gameplay. The first web-based version of Slingo then came about in the late 1990s, rendering it accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. Themed versions based on popular TV shows and movies helped broaden Slingo’s appeal, and its presence within online casino platforms such as Paddy Power helped its player base grow rapidly.
HOW TO PLAY SLINGO
Just like online bingo and online slots, Slingo is a simple and straightforward casino game. Slingo always starts with a 5×5 bingo card with random numbers. Below the grid is a set of slot reels, and the player must spin these to generate numbers and symbols. The objective is to match the numbers on the reels with those on the grid, and the player needs to mark them off to complete the lines.
Slingo allows for a limited number of spins, and within that limit, players need to create as many winning lines as possible. They’ll encounter special symbols on the reels that will either help or hinder them. Players will earn points every time they complete lines. Therefore, the more lines they complete, the higher their score will be. There are also some Slingo games which are connected to a progressive jackpot or offer additional bonus rounds.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONLINE BINGO AND SLINGO?
Although Slingo incorporates the main aspects of online bingo, it’s a more interactive game thanks to its online slot features. In online bingo, players will buy bingo cards and wait for the random balls to generate numbers which they’ll mark off. In contrast, Slingo is a more hands-on experience, in that the player must spin the slot reels themselves to generate numbers; they’re actively participating in the outcome. Moreover, the possibility of special symbols, multipliers and bonus rounds add a strategic element to Slingo, something that is more or less absent in online bingo.
SPECIAL FEATURES IN SLINGO
Online slot features which have also been implemented into the game of Slingo are free spins and bonuses. Not only do they enhance the gameplay, but they also increase the player’s chances of winning. Players will note that they’ll often be awarded free spins during Slingo, allowing them to spin the reels without using up their allotted turns. There are also some Slingo games which offer players the chance to purchase extra spins at the end of a round if they come close to completing a line.
Special symbols on the Slingo reels such as multipliers and jokers can unlock extra rewards and boost scores. Jokers act as wild cards, allowing players to mark off any number on their bingo card. Meanwhile, multipliers on the Slingo reels multiply the player’s score by a certain factor, and these can also land stacked. However, blocker symbols can hinder the player’s progress on the grid. Blockers will appear on the reels and prevent the player from marking off a number.
SOLO SLINGO VS SOCIAL BINGO
Another key difference between online bingo and Slingo are their set ups. Online bingo requires more than one player for there to be a competition as to who’ll complete the lines first. Online bingo provides a more social setting for players as the numbers are called out and they race to form grid patterns. Contrary to this, Slingo is generally a solo experience, with the player taking on the game alone within a limited set of spins. They’ll spin the reels themselves and mark off numbers without competing against someone else.
In this respect, Slingo focuses more on personal strategy, rather than direct competition. The core experience of Slingo remains one of solitary play, making it ideal for those who prefer a more private bingo session without its usual social dynamics.
WHY SLINGO IS SO POPULAR
Slingo popularity among online casino players can be attributed to its ideal amalgamation of online bingo and online slots. It offers up the best of both worlds, appealing to a broad audience through its simplicity, accessibility and diversity in game form. One cannot underestimate how online Slingo developers have managed to attract a loyal audience through a variety of themes, special bonuses, and a ton of excitement.
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
