Slots
Do you know that the early slot machines were known as one-armed bandits? This is because the machines features a leaver on one side and were able to strip the player of all of their money. Modern day slot machines have come a long way and contribute to much of the vibrancy, noise and action on the casino floor. From classic single line fruit machines to multi-line video slot mayhem, we give you all the information you need to hit the slots and know hot to bet, recognize scatter symbols and bonus rounds and really enjoy all the fun and entertainment of the slots. Read on to start spinning and winning today.
Slot Machines – Creation, Evolution, Popularity and Progress
The undisputed sumo of land casino gaming - slots, slot machines or video slots as they are known, are responsible for approximately 70% of all casino gaming revenue. The predecessor to the modern slot machine as we know it was developed in the United States – Brooklyn to be precise, back in 1891 by Sittman and Pitt. Early machines were based on the game of Poker and the main reason why Slot Machines are referred to as Poker Machines in some countries such as Australia, in which they are overwhelmingly popular.
From its inception, the slot machine proved a hit. Debuting bar-side at many venues throughout the greater New York area, punters would insert a nickel and pull a lever, which would in turn spin drums and cards held therein. Success hinged on a good hand of Poker which was entirely down to chance.
Featuring no pay out key, early slotmachines paid the player in drinks or cigarettes for a good hand, whereas a Royal Flush would payout something of great value such as cigars. Prizes were entirely dependent on what was being served at the establishment hosting the machine. To increase house edge, normally 2 cards were removed from the deck, namely the Jack of Hearts and the 10 of Spades to reduce the odds of a Royal Flush by half.
Once early slot machines had gained momentum, Charles Fey of San Francisco chose to devise an uncomplicated automatic mechanism. As it was problematic to devise a machine capable of paying out of every different winning combination, Fey devised a machine with 3 spinning wheels containing a total of 5 symbols, i.e. horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and a ‘Liberty Bell’ – from which the machine also derived its name.
By substituting ten cards with five symbols and utilising three reels in place of five drums, the complexity of reading a win was considerably reduced, allowing Fey to formulate a successful automatic payout mechanism. Three consecutive bells yielded the largest payout of ten nickels. Liberty Bell was a massive success and spawned a thriving mechanical gaming device industry. Even when the use of these gambling devices was banned in the following few years, Fey was still unable to sustain demand for the game elsewhere.
Another variation of the early slot machine paid out winnings in the form of fruit flavoured gum, displaying pictures of fruits as symbols on the reels. Cherry and melon symbol machines found the world over derive from this early machine. The ‘bar’ symbol we see on so many slot machines today originates from the early logo of the Bell Fruit Gum Company. In the UK today, slot machines are still known as Fruit Machines.
The first fully electromechanical slot machine emerged in 1964, and was named Money Honey. The new electromechanical approach allowed Money Honey to be the first slot machine with a bottomless hopper and automatic payout, of up to 500 coins, without the help of an attendant.
Slots are massively popular in all forms at both land and online casinos. Slot machines, video slots and online slots all have one major thing in common – they are games of chance rather than skill. There is no strategy associated with winning and very few tactics the player can employ to yield higher payouts from the casinos. Play depends purely on chance. The no-strategy factor may in fact be the deal maker where slots are concerned and the reason why these machines - often referred to as one armed bandits for being equipped with a lever and their ability to leave the punter penniless - hold mass appeal the world over. Thrill and excitement can be experienced in every spin.
Online Slots: Popularity, Appeal and Accessibility
Online slot machines have fared well in the digital arena. Slot machine enthusiasts can take their pick of classic slots, video slots and play free slots online to their hearts content from the comfort of their own homes. The advantages of playing online slots by far outweigh visiting a land casino. Free slots are fun and available at reputable casino sites, so you can do the rounds online and enjoy the showcase of slots and video slots on offer without leaving home. Play free slots to boost your knowledge and when it comes to playing for cash, you’ll know straight where to head and which machine to play.
Objectives of Slot Machine Play
As the above list of slot machine variations suggests, games differ in complexity from basic single line machines to powerhouse video 50 liners that are capable of complex payout combinations, none of which the punter has to worry about calculating – the machine does it all.
The object of the game is to win money from the machine through matching symbols, either on mechanical reels that spin and stop to reveal one or several symbols, or where video slots are concerned, on a video screen. The symbols are usually brightly colored and easily recognizable, ranging from simple images such as fruits and bells found on classic single line slots, to theme characters or symbols found on popular multi line video slots.
The thrill of many slot games lies in the possible winning combination and the symbols used by the casino software. If a player spins and matches a combination of symbols or their substitutes, the minimum usually being 3, the machine payouts either in cash credits or triggers the onset of free games or a bonus round, depending on the type of matching being played.
Among the most popular slot machines in circulation are video poker machines in which the aim is to spin symbols corresponding to winning hands of poker. Some machines allow punters to play hands of 100 or more at the same time.
Classic Slots vs. Video Slots
Traditional classic single line and classic multi line slots may lack the glam and enhanced graphics of video slots, but they still have a huge following online. Classic slots are simpler and often fewer pay lines, but tend to compensate with bonus jackpot features. Some players still find classic 3 and 5 reel slots appealing due to the truly massive jackpots on offer.
Reputable casino sites host a wide selection of quality online slot machines and total number of slots on offer at any one site can be well over the 50 mark. Slot machines on offer range from classic single and classic multi line slots to video multi line spin slots and video 5 to 50 line slots.
The Appeal of Multi Line Slots – A World of Variations, Scatters and Bonuses
The appeal and in turn mass popularity of video multi lines slots lies in the added opportunities these slots present for higher payouts. Multi line video slot machines really are the driving force behind the overall increase in slots play. Multi pay line options provide more winning combinations, generally have larger jackpots, and are in nearly all cases the most advanced slots games online.
In addition to more active play lines on multi line slot machines which results in increased payout probabilities, these slots feature supplementary opportunities for winning in the form of bonuses, scatters, substitutes and wild cards. A particular slot may feature any or all of these features in addition to regular payout lines. Bonus rounds in video multi line slots are generally triggered when the designated bonus symbol lands on the first and 5th reels, activating either free games or spins which yield a payout based on their success. Scatter symbols can usually appear on any reels but must number at least 3 to result in an added payout. Substitutes and wild cards appear on any reels and can proxy as symbols on active payout lines, further increasing win probabilities.
Most online casi8no slots accept variable amounts of credit for play; anywhere between 1 to 5 credits per line being typical for a spin. The higher the amount wagered, the higher the potential of spinning winning combinations and garnering greater payouts.
Up the Ante and Bait the Bonus
To yield higher payouts from online slot machines and video slots, it is recommended to play as many lines as possible to improve payout odds. See an example of the ‘Wanted’ game below. It’s a 25 line game in which the player must play at least 3 lines per spin to be eligible to trigger the bonus round and possibly win the jackpot. Bonus rounds are huge draw cards for many slot machines and are highly attractive for added payout potential.
Notice that there are 25 lines of play which you can select by clicking on select lines, you can bet per line, bet the maximum and increase and decrease the increments of your bet amount by using the plus and minus symbols. The game features a scatter – the ‘Wild’ dynamite sticks, which substitutes for all symbols and hosts a bonus and a mini bonus. The main bonus is triggered when the ‘Bonus’ gun appears on the first and 5th reels.
When pursuing online slot machines, be aware and seek out the best winning combinations. Online casinos showcase a wide variety of slots with varying characteristics, payouts and bonuses. Below is a step by step process which can generally be applied to online slot play:
- Deposit money at your online casino of choice and view your balance inside the credit box.
- Place your bet by clicking on the credit denominations on offer. You can usually increase or decrease your bet by clicking the plus and minus symbols beside the £ value.
- High rollers with sufficient bankroll can simply hit ‘Max Bet’ and the machine takes care of the rest.
- If you’re playing it safe and do not want to wager too much, you can click on ‘Bet One’ and wager individual credits only.
- Now you’re ready to click spin and start the game and enjoy the anticipation and thrill of waiting for the numbers, symbols or images to form a line and payout.
- When the reels rest and you have spun a winning combination, you are able to see your payout figure posted on the Payout table.
Tips and Basic Strategy for Online Slot Machine Success
As we have discussed above, the success at slots is down to chance and not skill, so why have a slots strategy section, you ask?
Although attracting better odds is somewhat limited, there are ways to capitalise on and seize opportunities that could potentially yield higher payouts on slot machines. Bonuses, mini bonuses, free spins and free games may well increase your chances of winning simply by keeping you on the machine for longer.
With so many different slot games available, and so many pay lines and reels, it's a safe bet to assume that the probabilities vary from game to game. Take the above slot machine as a case study and you will find that the 25 line opportunities teamed with the scatter substitute, the bonus and mini bonus may in fact yield higher payouts and more payout opportunities.
Another slots strategy is to know the payout percentages of the online casino you chose to play at. Pre-programmed percentages are determined by the online casino operator and
Just like land-based machines, the payout percentages for slots online are preset by the casino operator or the software developer. Take a 97% payout statistic as an example, for every $100 that's inserted into a slot game, the machine will pay back $97. The remaining $3 is the casino's profit. Different Slot machines offer different payouts, as well as payout structures. It’s wise to shop around for the best possible deal.
Be Sure to Cash in on Slot Machine Bonuses
Free Casino Cash Bonuses also apply to slot enthusiasts, just because you’re playing slots doesn’t mean you’re exempt from cashing in on the bonuses being offered by some of the largest and reputable online casinos around. Your best bet is to do your homework when selecting a slot machines and sites that are right for you. Ensure you only play at sound sites – those with a reputation of high quality combined with reliable software and clear graphics. Bear in mind that the slots on offer should not only be fun, they should be safe to play.
High Roller Strategy - Play Maximum Lines and Maximum Bets
Although you may be thinking that you’ve not had a good run on this machine or you have planned to set yourself a lover limit, playing the max can really boost your overall winnings. However excessive or even reckless this strategy may sound, it can pay off. Providing you have a bankroll substantial enough to facilitate this sort of play, stick with it and you will see winnings by playing more lines and qualifying for bonuses, jackpots, free spins etc.
Progressive Jackpots – A Huge Added Bonus of the Online Slot Machine World
This is why it is of paramount importance to play max bets. Progressive slot machines can be found at all reputable online casino and offer sizeable jackpots for spinning rare symbols combinations. These progressive jackpots accumulate over time and are offered in addition to existing machine bonuses. If won, they can yield enormous payouts. The only proviso is that you must bet the max per spin to qualify. What a great incentive, right?
Slot Machine Slang – The Lowdown on Slots Terminology
Like other so many other casino games, online slot machines come with have their own terminology. Players will benefit from familiarising themselves with slots lingo and to help you on your way, a complete online slots glossary is listed belong. Get to know basic slot terms before you play.
Random Number Generator – RNG
A particular type of software found on the game server and housed on a computer chip and embedded into the slot machine by its manufacturer.
The purpose of the RNG is to randomly select symbols and numbers on online slot machine reels every second, even when the machine is not in play.
Every random number corresponds to a certain reel and symbol combination which is randomly picked after you hit spin. As you would expect, the fewest recorded complex combinations are for the top jackpot.
When you hit spin, all the graphics and visuals are for show. What you are really doing is initiating the spinning of the reels, i.e. telling the machine to button you aren't really initiating anything except the spinning of the reels which is merely for show. You are simply telling the machine to exhibit the reel positions that correspond to the last set of generated random numbers.
Bonus Round
A feature prevalent among video multi line slots wherein a bonus symbol appears (usually on reels 1 and 5) throughout the course of play which triggers a bonus round or free spin bonus yielding greater payouts corresponding to the initial amount wagered.
Reels
The number of reels on a slot machine displaying the symbol used to establish combinations. Basically - the wheels in of the slot that spin when you hit the spin button.
Up/Down Slot Cycle
Refers to the cycle of slot machine payouts. Payout percentages for land and online casinos apply over long periods. In short, a slot machine with a payout rate of 97% will at times payout as high as 130% and at others as low as 50%. It may fluctuate between payouts of 500% and drop to payouts as low as 28%. The low percentage payouts indicate a down cycle and the high, a high cycle. At times, these slots may be referred to as ‘Sizzling’ or ‘Sputtering’ slots.
Progressive Slots
Slots which offer accumulating jackpots dependent on the amount of money wagered through the linked bank/carousel slots. Larger bankrolls apply and are required as all progressives stipulate maximum bets for jackpot qualification. When a jackpot goes off, values are reset to minimums.
Scatter
Symbols that either act as substitutes on a slot machine reel or trigger a bonus in the game.
Online Slots Reviewed: Places to Play Slots Online
EuroGrand Casino
EuroGrand casino is home to a comprehensive and high quality selection of online slot machine games. Games range from classic single line 7’s to the colourful 50 line ‘Thrillseekers’. Whether you play a simple single line game, a video multi line game or seek out high payouts with 20-50 line video slots, you’ll find they all have clear graphics, catchy themes and audio to enhance the sound of your chosen slot.
Take a look at ‘Wanted’, a 25 line video slot with a western inspired theme. This slot is creative, animated, and offers two bonus scatters. Potential payouts are huge for max bets and play is genuinely fun.
At EuroGrand, you can rest assured you’re playing at a reputable online casino and that you’ll be afforded the complete customer care should you need it. Team these elements with a payout percentage rate of 95.82% and you’ll find EuroGrand an ideal location to try your luck.
32Vegas
32Vegas is just like being there. Bright lights, action and a range of slots covering all tastes can be found at this lively online casino. You get the single line classics single and multi lines slots and video line slots ranging from 5 lines to 50. It’s all about choice where online slot machines are concerned and 32Vegas don’t disappoint.
Test basic slots strategy like maximum line play and maximum bets by playing free slots. Enjoy the feeling of a possessing a massive bankroll, even if it is for fun, and hit your favourite video slot. Get to know scatters, bonuses and enjoy the thrill of playing big and winning even bigger.
Graphics are clear and slot concepts are fun. You’re sure to have a ball and enjoy your punt at 32Vegas.
Prestige Casino
Prestige Casino gives new meaning to hitting up the fruit machines. If you’re looking to add some class and refinement to your games of slots online, take a trip to Prestige and soak up the atmosphere of a stylish European casino.
Classic single and multi line slot machines are showcased in taste and quality is never compromised. Video slots with 5 to 50 lines are all available for crisp, top quality play and progressive slots are found in many video slots categories.
Graphics are sharp, game speed is optimal and payouts are swift. Prestige is a refined site with all the extra trimmings. Excellent customer care and an overall slot machine payout rate of close to 96% makes this casino an ideal location to place your high end bets.