Slots Gaming Guide

Unlike other gambling games that can trace their history back sometimes thousands of years, slot machines are the ‘new kids on the block’, having been around for only around 120 years. However, it can safely be said that slot machines are the biggest crowd drawers and no reputable gambling establishment would be found without at least several slot machines on its floor.

The appeal of slots lies largely in their simplicity. Playing the slot machine requires almost no prior understanding, no effort to memorize strategies and no skill. Slots rely 99.9% on luck and players choose this form of entertainment because they can simply throw in some coins, pull the lever and wait for the reels to turn. The excitement of the game lies in the few seconds before the reels come to a standstill and players see whether they have won or not.

With the advent of the online casino industry, slot machines have become even more popular. Software companies regularly create exciting themed slot games to keep gamblers interested and satisfied. In fact, slots are the fastest growing online gambling industry, generating millions of dollars each year.

The first slot machine was invented by a German immigrant to the United States, Charles Fey in 1887. The Liberty Bell was an instant success and its popularity soon spread throughout the country, appearing in gambling houses and casinos across the nation. The Liberty Bell had three reels and twenty symbols and did not differ much in size and function from the classic slot machines found today. In the early 20th century, Fey joined forces with the Mills Novelty Company and together they created newer versions of the original slot machine. These machines were lighter in weight and offered more variations.

The 1930s saw a change in the way slot machines were produced. Colorful exteriors, interesting themes and fun features were added to give players more entertainment options. The popularity of slot machines continued to climb through the 1940s and 50s – an era which saw the introduction of other classics such as Big Bertha. In 1964, the first company to move away from Fey’s original design – Bally Manufacturing – created the Money Honey. This machine differed because its interior was mainly electrical, ushering in the electro-mechanical era of slot machines.

Computerized slot machines broke onto the scene in the 1980s with the introduction of the first video poker machine that was based on the idea of slots. Casinos began to realize the huge revenue that was to be had from slot machines and placed them in more prominent positions in their establishments. It wasn’t long before slots were generating over 30% of the casinos’ profits. Random number generators ensure that a slot gaming remains fair at all times and progressive slots continue to attract the crowds.

The online gambling world seems to be the perfect home for slots. Over 2000 sites offer players the opportunity to log in, play their favorite games and stand in line to win fantastic prizes, sometimes reaching millions of dollars. Today there is no excuse not to have a quick game of slots as they can be accessed from practically anywhere in the world and any time of the day or night.

Carousal: A group or collection of slot machines in one establishment.

Coin Size: The denomination of the money that needs to be inserted into the slot machine.

Multi-Denominational: A slot machine that accepts different coin denominations.

Multi-Line: A slot machine that offers more than a single pay line.

Max Bet: The maximum number of coins that a player can put in the machine per reel spin.

Pay line: The symbols of the slot machine need to align on this line to determine whether the player gets paid out or not.

Progressive Slots: A group or network of slot machines that have a communal jackpot. A progressive jackpot is the prize that progressively grows each time the slot machines are played.

Random Number Generator: A device that randomly chooses numbers in a slot machine to provide absolute fairness during spins.

Symbols: The graphics (eg. numbers, pictures) that appear on the slot reels.

Wild Symbol: A symbol in certain slot machines that replaces any other symbol to make up a winning combination in a pay line.

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