Slingo
Quick Summary
Slingo is a fun and unique casino game that combines elements of bingo and slots. It was invented by Sal Falciglia Sr. in 1994 and has become a popular game in both land-based and online casinos. Over the years, Slingo has evolved into numerous exciting variants, offering a variety of gameplay experiences.
Key Features of Slingo
- Basic Gameplay: Played on a 5×5 grid, similar to bingo, with a spinning reel that provides numbers.
- Winning: Match numbers from the reel with those on the grid to form a “Slingo” (five numbers in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally).
- Symbols:
- Joker: Allows you to mark any number in the column.
- Super Joker: Lets you pick any number on the grid.
- Free Spin: Adds extra spins for more chances.
- Devil: Blocks a number and reduces points.
Popular Slingo Variants
- Slingo Deal or No Deal: Adds a fun twist by incorporating the popular TV show’s format.
- Red Hot Slingo: Features a 5×3 slot grid with traditional fruit symbols.
- Slingo Advance: A space-themed version where players progress through levels to unlock jackpots.
Strategy Tips
- Target center and corner squares for better results with Joker symbols.
- Complete Slingos early to avoid spending on extra spins.
- Play games with higher rewards, like Slingo Advance or Slingo Rainbow Riches.
Conclusion
Slingo is a versatile and entertaining game, combining the thrill of bingo and slots. With various variants and exciting bonus features, it offers something for every type of player. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, fun experience, Slingo might be the perfect game for you!
Popular Slingo Games
More about Slingo
Slingo was invented by Sal Falciglia Sr in the early 90s. The game combines the core elements of slots and bingo to deliver a memorable experience. Over the years, it has become a staple at both land-based and online casinos. Today, you can find over a dozen Slingo titles on regulated US gambling platforms.
In this extensive guide, we’ll explore Slingo in detail and cover its variants, special features and gameplay, while providing you with some advanced tips and strategies.
What Is Slingo?
As you’ll notice from the game’s name, Slingo is an exciting blend of bingo and slots. It is played on a 5×5 grid that resembles a traditional bingo card. Beneath the grid, there’s also a single spinning reel. Each reel can hold up to five numbers — the first can feature numbers between 1 and 15, the second 16–30, the third 31–45, the fourth 46–60, and the last 61–75.
On one side of the reel, there’s a virtual bingo cage with balls and a Spin button. On the other side, you find the Slingo grid with different levels, which you can climb by scoring Slingos. The more Slingos you complete (five numbers in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally), the faster you’ll progress.
Special Features
In order to spice up Slingo’s play and make it more rewarding, the game has been updated with new features. Let’s take a look at some of them below:
- Joker: This a special symbol that acts like Wild in traditional slot machines. When it appears on a reel, you’re allowed to mark off any number in the column above. Consequently, you can complete horizontal, vertical, and diagonal Slingos more effectively.
- Super Joker: This symbol has the same effect as the Joker but with greater flexibility. When it appears, you can mark off any number you like on the grid.
- Free spin: This symbol adds an extra ball to the bingo cage, increasing your number of spins and chances of scoring Slingos.
- Devil: This symbol blocks a number from appearing on the reel and reduces the player’s points by half.
In addition to these basic features, certain Slingo games may have unique bonus features. For example, Slingo Rainbow Riches boasts a pot of gold, a mushroom, and a leprechaun symbol, triggering different bonus rounds.
How to Play Slingo
Slingo is one of the easiest casino games to learn, particularly if you’re familiar with slot and bingo gameplay. We’ve created this step-by-step guide to help you understand how to play Slingo.
Find a Slingo Game
Gaming Realms, the current owner of the Slingo brand, has teamed up with leading iGaming software providers to develop game versions based on popular slots. A good example is Slingo Sweet Bonanza, which brings the sugary excitement of the Pragmatic Play classic to the world of Slingo.
The first step in your Slingo playing experience is to select a game. You can choose titles based on famous slots or go for something simple like Slingo Classic. To find a game, head to the online casino library, search for Slingo and choose from the available offerings.
Select a Bet Size
After loading your preferred game, you’ll find a bet selector beneath the Slingo grid. You can set the bet size based on your playing budget or strategy, with most games allowing stakes between $0.5 and $100. Prior to your first spin, the amount will be deducted from your balance.
Click the Spin Button
After selecting your bet size, tap the Spin button on the right side of the screen and wait for the reel to stop. When the numbers on the reel match any on the column above, they’ll be marked. If there’s a Joker, you must pick a number in the corresponding column. If you get a Super Joker, you can pick any number.
Consider Extra Spins
Once you’ve run through your initial spins, you can end the game or play with extra spins. Their cost depends on the available numbers and possible Slingo combinations. Keep in mind that the price of an additional spin can exceed your initial bet amount, and winnings are not guaranteed.
Variants
Earlier, we mentioned that different exciting versions are available at premier US casinos like DraftKings, bet365, and BetRivers. If you’re seeking the best games to play, here are three variants to check out.
Slingo Deal or No Deal
Slingo adds an entertaining twist to the popular TV game show Deal or No Deal. You begin the game by selecting a bet size and choosing one of the 26 cases presented to you, each with a hidden value. You’ll be given 10 spins to start, and you’ll have to match numbers on the reels with cases on the grid. For every case you match, the prize is removed, and each Slingo boosts you up the grid and multiplies all remaining prizes.
Once you hit four Slingos, the banker calls. You can choose Deal (take his offer), No Deal (decline the offer and open your mystery case), or tap the Spin button to continue the game. Slingo Deal or No Deal also comes with the standard Joker, Super Joker, Devil, and Free Spin bonus symbols.
Red Hot Slingo
This particular version features a 5×3 slot grid beneath the 5×5 bingo layout. Here, the slot grid also displays traditional fruit symbols, including watermelons, lemons, cherries, plums, and oranges. Matching 3–5 of these symbols can land you up to 100x your bet.
The main goal remains to match numbers on the layout with Wild, Super Wild, and Free Spins symbols helping you out. You start the game with 5 spins and move up the pay grid with every Slingo.
Slingo Advance
Gaming Realms is always pushing the boundaries with their Slingo offerings and with Slingo Advance, they take the gameplay to the stars quite literally. This space-themed title is unique in that it starts with just a single spin and one unlocked level. You are awarded a respin and you progress to a new level for every match completed.
For the second level, players receive 1 free spin and need two matches to unlock the third. You need just three matches to advance from levels 3 and 4. When you get to level 5, massive jackpots await you. This variant comes with special symbols like Joker (substitutes for any number), Advance (unlocks the next level), Free Spins, and Blockers.
Strategy and Tips
The type of strategy you apply to your Slingo gameplay varies from variant to variant. Nevertheless, there are still general tips that can improve your chances of winning:
- Target centers and corners: When using a Joker or Super Joker, it’s advisable to mark off a center or corner square. It can be tempting to use your Wild on lines that are almost complete, but it’s best to be strategic and target multiple lines.
- Complete Slingos early: Always look for ways to finish early to avoid spending on extra spins.
- Consider more rewarding games: Slingo variants like Slingo Rainbow Riches, Slingo Advance, and Slingo Berserk feature multipliers and jackpots that give them an extra rewarding edge.
- Play within a budget: The best gamers are the ones who play responsibly. It’s crucial to set a bankroll before playing and ensure you never go above your budget.
- Try demo modes: Top online casinos offer demo versions of their Slingo offerings. They are the perfect opportunity to learn the ropes before staking real money.
FAQs
The aim of the game is to match five numbers in a row on a winning line. Simply spin the reels and hope the displayed numbers match those on the grid.
Yes, it’s legal to play in US states where online casino gaming has been regulated.
US online casinos mainly offer demo versions for their titles. In demo mode, you can play for as long as you like with free virtual currencies, but winnings cannot be withdrawn as real cash.
The games are designed to suit different preferences. Titles like Slingo Rainbow Riches, Slingo Advance, and Slingo Deal or No Deal are popular among players due to their engaging gameplay, multiple bonus rounds, and rewarding jackpots.
Yes, Gaming Realms develops all of its Slingo offerings with cutting-edge technology that allows them to run on any device. So, whether you’re an Android user or prefer iOS devices, you should have no problem playing Singo games on your phone.
History
Slingo has only been around for three decades. The game was developed in 1994 by Sal Falciglia Sr., who also created the Slingo Inc. company to help develop and market multiple variations of the game. It first began as a real cash game at land-based casinos in the US before evolving into scratch cards, with the official website already online by the early 2000s.
The game quickly grew in popularity and was acquired by RealNetworks in 2013 and Gaming Realms in 2015. The new owners quickly launched Slingo Riches and Slingo Extreme and began partnering with other iGaming companies to expand their offerings. Since then, over 30 different variants have been released and enjoyed by players worldwide.
