So being around for over 100 hundred years, the classic slot machine and is no doubt one of the first things to pop in your brain when thinking about playing games in a casino. The colorful lights, themes and possible huge payouts have entertained hundreds of millions of players since their early mechanical models to the current digital versions. The spinning reels that are so enticing to all have a rich history behind them, intricate mechanics and plenty of strategies to play. Read on to learn about the exciting past of slot machines, their operational mechanism and what avid gamers ought to discover ways to optimise their gaming session.
The History of Slot Machines
Charles Fey was a San Francisco, Califonia mechanic who also designed the first slot machine called the Liberty Bell in 1895. This basic machine possessed three reels and five symbols – diamonds, hearts, spades, horseshoes, and the Liberty Bell. When players put a coin in the slot and pulled it, if they landed 3 Liberty Bell symbols on the payline, he won the $0.50 jackpot.
Fey’s invention changed and improved the gambling industry, which was followed by similar games appearing in bars and saloons throughout America. Almost five decades later slot machines were given fruit symbols and became what we now know as the classic slots — the “fruit machines” it is still called in part of the world.
The most notable innovation was in 1964, when Bally Technologies made the first fully electromechanical machine which replaced the physical reels with electronic equivalents. Later, during the 1990s, video slots began to appear on the scene offering a new and more exciting way of playing as players were now able to play more than one payline per spin, feature bonus rounds which attributed meager payouts by comparison. Fast forward to today, and the mechanics of slot machines have evolved — while they are still a staple at brick-and-mortar casinos, slot games are now found mostly on digital slots online.
How Slot Machines Work
Broadening the range of themes and features covered by modern slots, however, there is one thing that underpins them all: the Random Number Generator (RNG). The RNG is a computer component that prevents the possibility of predicting the outcome, hence impossibility to cheat or manipulate the spins.
RNG spinsA player puts the reel in motion and a random combination of numbers turns out on the slot machines screen. That is, whether you won or lost on previous spins has nothing to do with each spin being separate and different.
The way slot machines work is very simple;
Choose Your Bet: — Determine how much you want to bet and, in some cases, how many paylines you’d like to activate.
Spin — After setting up your stake, click the spin button to make the reels (or digital versions of them) whirl.
Win or Lose: When the reels stop, they form a single random sequence of symbols in the machine, symbol combinations along pay lines give an indication if the player has won. If the symbols show up in winning lines, then a pay-off is available to them.
Modern Slot Machine Features
Slot games today — Modern slot machines have come a long way from the 3-reel dinosaur it once was! Modern day slots come with a variety of features that are developed to not just make gameplay more thrilling, but also making it easier for players to win. Below are a few popular features:
- Wild Symbols
Wild: Wild symbols work as substitutes for any other symbol on the reels, making it easier for players to achieve winning combinations. Certain slots will even have expanding wilds, sticky wilds or stacked wilds which are all more opportunities to earn money.
- Scatter Symbols
Majority of these games require to land scatter symbols in order to access the free spins or bonus rounds. Scatters — unlike other symbols scatter can appear everywhere on the reels, and they are still be valuable even not appearing on a payline. Special Features/Bonus Games If you land a specific quantity of scatters across any positions on the reels than ideally this will unlock some special characteristic or activate a bonus game.
- Bonus Rounds
Today many slot games are offering bonus rounds called mini-games, meaning extra profit chances. Usually, bonus rounds can consist of free spins or pick-and-win games while some bonus rounds are in form of more elaborate challenges that will help the game play out in an even better manner.
- Multipliers
Multipliers can multiply your winnings by a certain factor (2x, 3x, 10x …) if you hit the winning combination. You can usually come across them during a bonus round, or through free spins; helping you to win substantial prizes!
- Free Spins
A lot of online as well physical slot machines are characterized by free spins. These are basically free rounds which the player can play so that he or she spins without having to bet an extra amount of money, while at the same time having the possibility of real winnings.
Types of Slot Machines
There are many types of slot machines waiting for their turn to be played. Let me walk you through some of the more common categories:
- Classic Slots
These machines are reminiscent of the first land based slot machines with three reels and fruit symbols. They are usually the easiest to play in games with symbols such as fruits, bars and sevens. These older slots generally come with fewer paylines, and bonus features than their younger brothers and sisters but are a popular choice among beginners.
- Video Slots
Today the most popular kind of slot machine is video slots. They come with 5 or more reels, hundreds of paylines, and even exciting features such as wilds, scatters, free spins bonuses. With their impressive graphics and animations, video slots typically feature theme plots such as mythology, adventure or popular culture to make the game more immersive.
- Progressive Slots
Progressive: Progressive slots offer wins that can change your life. All these machines are linked up, and a small fraction of each bet is added to the pot until one lucky winner lands the winning combination. This is why these casino games are so popular among the players who play high stake and chase rewards worth millions of dollars, Progressive Jackpots.
- 3D Slots
These video slots are a bit more epic than your run-of-the-mill slot, showing off and telling a story of some kind. A draw of such slots is the use of a storyline, characters and effects which brings more action to every game than just gambling on standard fruit-symbols.
- Megaways Slots
Megaways Slots are a recent creation with potentially hundreds or thousands of ways to win on a single spin. This means that with every spin the number of symbols on each reel changes, creating new ways to play and ensuring best chances for winning combinations.
How to Play Slot Machines: Strategy
Slot machines are games of chance, they use random number generators RNG software and have a house edge. The ideal way to enjoy gambling is to not wager any winnings that you do not need for your daily life or recurring expenses. Here are few things to remember ✓
- Set a Budget
Decide the amount of cash you want to spend before playing, and adhere this limit. As slot machines are quick, you might not even realize how much you have spent before it is too late.
- Choose the Slot that Suits your Style
Indeed, various types of slot machines are suitable for different players. If less of a hit-or-miss style with more consistently regular but smaller payouts is your thing, choose from the low-volatility classic slots instead. For something with more risk, potentially larger wins go for high-volatility video slots or some of the progressive jackpots.
- Use Casino Bonuses to Your Benefit
Many online casinos give welcome bonuses such as free spins, matched deposits, etc. to lure new customers. These can provide more play time at no risk of your own and you should always check the wagering requirements before accepting any kind of bonus.
- Play for Fun, Not Profit
Also note that slot machines are meant for fun and not profit. This is pure entertainment when gambling so never chase losses or expect that you will win back what has been lost.
Conclusion
Slot machines have come a long way since the original days of the Liberty Bell. These machines range from mechanical devices to high-end digital games, and they have kept generations of gamblers entertained with their bright reels and easy play style. Knowing how slot machines function, types of slots available end what features are made possible with them inside this guide. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and please play responsibly.