Slots Machines

Slots Machines: An Overview

The slot machine started out as a relatively simple mechanical device, with a lever at the side that would be pulled to spin the 3 reels.  Invented by Charles Fey in 1887, the popularity of the machine spread quickly as the machine was duplicated, copied and enhanced. Today, slot machines are the most played game in both online casinos and in major gambling destinations such as Vegas, where there are around 200,000 slot machines. The highest ever payout on a slot was $39.7 million in March 1983 in the Excalibur Hotel, Las Vegas.  The lucky winner had invested just $100 on the machine when he struck gold.   From simple 3 reel devices to computer generated online video slots, the game of slots has evolved tremendously over the past 110 years.  Big trends today in slot machines are for progressive jackpots (prog jackpot page)– where the really big prizes can be won, and current and fun themes, like superheroes, movies, and popular icons.

The game is largely based on luck, but many die hard slots fans will swear by various superstitious beliefs as a surefire way to help your chances of winning.  Some of these theories include finding hot machines – machines which haven’t paid out for a long time, and therefore are perceived to be ‘ready’ to payout, warming up coins before inserting them into the slot machines and the location of a slot machine (many believe that in land casinos, the high payout machines are placed near the doors, or at the end of isles).  Lots of recreational gamblers have a lucky charm.  Some will use numerology and related superstitions – such as not betting on 13 lines or betting on their lucky number to aid them in their quest for a grand win.  Of course, in reality, winning on slots is all about luck.  Random Number Generators, preset to a certain payout ratio (usually between 92% and 98% in online casinos) are used to determine which combinations are spun, and they are just that – completely random!

Understanding Slots

Playing online slots is wonderfully straight forward and can provide an effortless and enjoyable gaming experience – whether it is for the whole evening, or as a break in between a more intense game of poker (poker page) or blackjack (blackjack page).  

Classic Slots and Video Slots: Classic online slot machines are based on the traditional machines - some times known as ‘One Arm Bandits’(in North America) or ‘Fruit Machines’(in the UK).  These machines have 3 or more spinning reels, which would be spun in order to land a winning combination of symbols. Online video slots are based on the land based video slot machines, which do not entail any moving parts, but rather a screen which shows images mimicking spinning reels.  For some, this takes away the feeling of playing a traditional slot machine, but for most it provides a clearer and more graphically vivid gaming experience.

Reels: Online slot machines can have 3 or 5 spinning reels.  While 3 reels are simpler and only need 3 winning symbols to win, 5 reels provide more winning combinations and more diverse play. 

Lines: Online slots also vary in the amount of winning lines they offer.  It literally means that a ’10-line’ slot, for example, gives you 10 possible winning combinations. The more lines a slot machine offers the more possible combinations.  This does not necessarily mean that the potential payout amount is increased.  Players may select how many lines they would like to bet on, allowing for a wide variety of play options.  A slots player should always review the payout opportunities specific to that game, to ascertain if that is the right game for them, and how many lines they would like to bet on.

Bonus Rounds: Like their land based counterparts, video slots also regularly offer bonus rounds.  These are usually fun mini games within the game.  They give the player increased chances to win money or increase the amount of a win.  Additionally, they can be lots of fun, capturing the unique theme of the particular machine you have chosen to play.

Progressive Machines: Progressive slot machines are incredibly exciting and are unsurprisingly a favorite amongst players because of the huge jackpots they offer.  They work as a small portion of all bets placed are contributed to an ever growing jackpot.  If you strike the right combination and scoop the progressive jackpot, you can win literally millions in one spin.

Tips and Strategy

A wise slots player knows and appreciates that ultimately these games are largely dependent on luck.  In part that is much of the appeal – making them easy to play and unpredictably fun!  However there are a few tips to follow when playing slots in order to maximize your gaming experience.

Firstly, check the payout of the game you are choosing to play.  Understand the odds and probabilities.  Although the games are usually easy enough to pick up as you play, it is worth having a quick read first in order to start out with a basic grasp of the game.  You should look for games with a payout ratio of 95% or higher.  Online slot machines tend to have higher payouts. All games differ slightly, and having a basic understanding of the game you are playing, including knowing the payouts, the differing ratios when you increase the value of a line bet and having an understanding of what the important symbols (scatter symbols, bonus symbols, wild symbols etc) mean, will only further your enjoyment and even your ultimate winnings.

Perhaps most significantly is to know your own limits, both financially and time wise.  This is regardless of whether you are playing in an online casino or land based casino. Betting a low amount on only a few lines will see your bank roll last a lot longer.  However it also means that some of the bigger prizes will be unavailable as they may require higher bets per line.  Betting higher amounts, or on many lines at once (or a combination of the two) can provide for a much more thrilling experience, and put you in position to scoop that progressive jackpot win.