source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Liberty_bell.jpg/330px-Liberty_bell.jpg
It is difficult to visit online or offline casinos and find no slot machines there. The secret lies not only in their massive popularity but also in the fact that these are the most simple games in the world. You basically do nothing other than pull and press a couple of buttons. All the rest is left for technology, which, by the way, has deep historical roots in the XIX century. So, in the article, we will take a deeper observation of the slot machines and learn a bit about their history, mechanisms, rules, and other specifics.
Understanding Slot Machines
What is a slot machine? It is a machine that consists of reels and rows of symbols that are launched when you push or pull the necessary elements located on it. The reels start spinning, and finally, they stop and bring you a combination of numbers, fruits, and other elements.
The first slot machine appeared in 1891. It has almost nothing in common with the modern slots. However, all that was important about it was the mechanism and its working principles. If it was somewhat successful, you will be paid out instantly. If the opposite happens, you lose your bet. The machine had three reels or “drums” with 50 card faces. It was based on a poker game. Only later, between 1887 and 1895, Charles Fey made a simpler mechanism with reels that contained 5 different symbols such as diamonds, hearts, Liberty Bell, and horseshoes.
The first video slot machine was developed in 1976 in the United States. Gradually, more modern models began to appear in casinos, bars, and other places and areas where they were allowed. They should be licensed and made by quality gaming providers to ensure fair play. They gained much popularity due to their looks and ease of the game. You need to make a bet and press the button to make it work. There are no specific rules other than successful combinations that can appear on the screen and bring you victory.
So, today, their mechanisms are more innovative and promise more engaging gameplay. Besides, many slots have some valuable features, such as:
- Autoplay
- All-ways paylines
- Twin reels, etc.
In the next part of this review, we will examine the fresh technology behind them.
The Technology of Slot Machines
It is not secret information that quality slot machines operate on the RNG or random number-generated technology. It allows you to achieve unpredictable and different outcomes every time you spin the reels. Today, even those classic buttoned options have become computerized, so players can tap on the screen when making a bet and launching the slot machine. However, it was not always like that. Just before the buttons, users needed to pull levers to make the machine work.
Megaways
However, the RNG is not the only mechanism in slots. In some modern models, it can be supplemented with Megaways. It is a more progressive mechanic that provides more paylines and, as a result, promises users more winning combinations. The technology was created in 2015 by the Big Time Gaming company.
Progressive Slots
The main idea behind this mechanic is that the more players spin the reels, the bigger the jackpot can become. Such games promise bigger wins and have jackpots of several stages. It means that one game offers more than one jackpot, and the next one is bigger than the previous one.
The Mechanism Behind Early Slot Machines
However, when these machines appeared, they had primitive but working manual mechanics. Earlier slot machines operated by using a mechanical mechanism. The machine consisted of several, usually three, metal hoops with drawn symbols fixed on them. When you pulled the lever, the hoops started moving, and the symbols started spinning. If they stop with three similar symbols in a row, a player wins some money. And that mechanism worked at the beginning of the XX century.
From Lever Pulling to Button Pushings
A bit later, in 1934, the first electricity-based automatic horse racing machine was built. It became a major attraction at that time. However, in the 60s, the Nevada Electronic Company presented the first electronic gambling machine that included such games as poker, dice, horse races, and roulette.
Slot Machine Gaming
The variety of slots you can see in the gambling market today is impressive. The industry is full of talented gaming software developers who create top-tier slots with more engaging gameplay, better graphics, and enhanced sound effects. These are the reasons why so many bettors like to play them, each time trying different themes and exploring their integrated bonuses, observing the gameplay, and even playing for free.
It is true that if you play slot machines online, you can even try them without spending your own funds, which is impossible in ground casinos. Many online platforms offer this feature, so players who wish to try them can have a general idea about the gameplay and others.
Random Number Generator
As we have already noted, the RNG is the basic technology behind the slots that allows providers and developers to achieve an unpredicted outcome after every spin. It is the technology that makes us believe that we are one step behind the triumphant victory.
The RNG generates a sequence of numbers that is different each time. The speed of this generation is very high, which allows the machine to work fast and efficiently at the same time, so users won’t need to wait for the outcome and payouts.
Symbol Selection
The variety of symbols in modern machines is plenty. Some classic slots operate with fruits and numbers. Those who wager for a long time can recall the famous 7s symbol that was a lucky one for many players. If you play modern machines, they will offer you an extensive set of different animated symbols, including the bonus ones. Also, every game has the following division in these symbols:
- High-value signs. Normally, they are not very frequent on the reels and allow users to increase their price.
- Low-value signs. They are the most numerous on the reel, so the chances they appear in your final combination are plenty. Also, they only bring small winnings, and punters will be pleased with an opportunity to increase their reward.
Thus, players need to understand the value of the symbols better to see if this game is beneficial. The standard line of symbols includes those that correspond to the theme of the game. For instance, some adventurous tiles about ancient civilizations include pyramids, crystals, and other similar signs. Therefore, each of them has a specific value and participates in the combinations established by the game.
Payouts and Odds of Winning
The percentage rate for payouts plays a vital role in how much you can win by playing any of the slots. First of all, each of them has an RTP rate, which stands for the percentage rate that can be returned to a player. The higher it is, the more chances you have of a victory in each next spin. If you want to test your luck, you can always try slots at 1xBet online casino live.
Pulling the Handle
Normally, eminent and reputable providers offer top-tier machines with premium quality where punters can catch multiple bonuses along the way, play side quests, choose among many themes, and explore the slots with RTP rates over 95%. It is also generally known that slots are the gaming section with the highest return percentages.
Bonus Features
Bonus features available in the slots are different. Currently, with modern machines, users can face the following ones:
- Scatters. It is one of the most beneficial symbols that can change the game totally. They can appear across the reels, unlike regular symbols.
- Wilds. They are like jokers in cards, which can take the form of any symbol to supplement the combination to make it win.
- Bonus rounds. If you happen to catch the lucky combination, you can win additional rounds to unlock the bonus games.
- Free spins. You can earn them as a bonus if you also catch a lucky combination of symbols.
- Multipliers. They can increase the amount you win by acquiring a lucky combination of signs.
All these bonuses serve to make the game more exhilarating and increase the final reward. In the list, you may grab the general name for the symbols, but they usually look different in every game. If you wager online or play a real slot machine, you can find the description of lucky combos and their special signs in the rules.
Conclusion
Slot machines are an integral part of any online casino. They offer users fun and hope to win some prizes and have a great time with friends. Moreover, these machines promise fair outcomes together with engaging gameplay. Punters can play them in ground casinos and online. Online opportunities are certainly wider, and punters can access all the sets of games without searching for them in the casino hall.