Slingo (AKA slot-machine-bingo) is precisely what it says on the tin: a Bingo card that you fill up through spinning slot machines. Every reel gives you a number, and you check off those numbers to form lines of five which determine your payout. Thanks to numerous added features like Jokers, Extra Spins, and Bonus Multipliers — and flashy special effects — Slingo is a game that purportedly keeps 400,000+ users entertained, according to Wikipedia. I feel this number is depressed due to only measuring users from one site — the number of Slingo players likely far exceeds this number.
There are many Slingo variants, like Ice and Fire Slingo, Halloween Slingo, Wheel of Fortune Slingo, or even my personal favorite — Sligone Fishing. So, if you’re thinking of trying your hand at Slingo, check out bingotastic.com. But in any case, given the massive amount of Slingo variants, it makes sense to give a primer on this brilliant invention rather than throw them into the deep end. And, that’s precisely what this article aims to do — educate you on Slingo.
A Brief History of Slingo
Slingo is a portmanteau of Slots and Bingo — though you’ve probably already noticed as much. Created in 1994 by two Americans, Dave Lyons and Sal Falgiclia, it eventually became more popular in the UK than in the States and is now a mainstay of online gambling.
There are 12 variants of Slingo that are collectively known as the ‘Slingo Originals’ amongst the thousands or so floating around — I find it cool that a game has so many variants that some of them would be called the ‘Originals,’ but maybe that’s just me. Classified as a medium volatility game, Slingo doesn’t include huge jackpots: though that can be fixed with the correct variant if you want a more jackpot-like fix.
The Rules of Slingo
You’ll find that this game is straightforward to learn. The game consists of a 5×5 grid, with each grid column having a slot reel placed below it. At the start of the game, you will receive ten spins: each spin turns all five reels, and if the rotation returns a number that matches on your 5×5 grid, you get to cross it out. Crossing out five numbers in row rewards you with one Slingo, and your tip for the game increases with every Slingo you match.
At the end of your ten spins, you can purchase extra spins with money if you haven’t matched all twelve possible Slingos yet (two diagonal, five vertical, and five horizontal). Besides these extra spins, the game also includes symbols in the slot reel which can spice things up — for example; players may get a Joker which allows them to cross out any number of their choosing or a symbol (like a Pot of Gold) which doubles the prizes for the current session, given the vast amount of things that can be altered by these symbols, exploring different Slingo variants and their bonus rules is an enjoyable thing to do.
How Much Can You Win at Slingo?
Earlier, I called Slingo a “medium volatility game” — accurate, it’s not like slots in the sense where every spin gives you the chance of walking away with millions with a one quid bet, but it could be that if you looked for the correct type of Slingo game.
The classic Slingo variants mostly have a 200x payout as their prize for a whole house (matching all 12 Slingos), so with a $2 stake, you could earn $400. That’s not a lot in the grand scheme of gambling. However, if you play a variation with Bonus Multipliers (multiplying the prize pool when certain conditions are met), this 200x payout could be multiplied many times over to as high as 100000x. Five zeroes—a $200000 payout for a $2 bet. I’m sure you could find even bigger payouts if you tried, and tons of online casinos offer Slingo variants, so there’s a type for you if you’re itching for a bigger jackpot.
Slingo has an RTP (return-to-player) of 96%, so for every $1 you put in, you’ll get back $0.96. That’s in the long run, though. Remember that in the short run, anything is possible: so shoot for those big payouts.
(Incidentally, the RTP for Slingo is pretty good compared to other slot games.)
Tips to Maximise Your Slingo Earnings
Slingo is best enjoyed as a for-fun experience, so rather than look at it with the perspective of trying to get a payday, you should honestly pick a variant that you think is fun and start spinning away at it. However, if you want to take your Slinging to the next level, then these are two great tips:
1. Prioritise placing your Jokers in the dead center (four Slingo possibilities) or on diagonal lines (three Slingo possibilities). This maximizes the odds of you achieving a Slingo and, as such, increases the chance you breakeven or profit from a particular session.
2. Keep Extra Spins to a minimum. These are the spins you buy at the end of a game. Since these spins can cost more than your initial wager as you approach the higher tier of prizes, they can easily cause you to burn through your entire bankroll if you aren’t careful. If possible, try not to use the Extra Spin function and keep rolling new Slingo grids — their RTP is much lower than the base Slingo game.
Conclusion
With its combination of dazzling effects and replay ability, it’s not a surprise that Slingo continues to wrangle in new players of all ages. Remember to always play within your means and not chase your losses with the extra spin button, and you’ll be good. Remember, being a good gambler doesn’t necessarily mean you have to win a lot. It also includes knowing when to draw the line and stop. With all the excitement and adrenaline that comes with winning when you gamble, it does take discipline and self-control to step away. But, if you can do this, you don’t have to worry too much. Good luck and happy gambling!