Slot games are one of the most common games of chance. In fact, the games have been around for many years, dating back to the late 1800s.
In the modern day, there are a huge variety of online Slots available to play at your chosen casino site – proving just how these classic games of chance have stood the test of time.
The evolution of Slots
The first slot machine, produced by a New York-based company called Sittman & Pitt in 1891, featured five drums and 50 playing card faces. The aim of the game was to line up Poker hands on the reels – made harder by the reduced deck. The machine cost a nickel to play, and worked using a simple spring and lever mechanism, which would cause the reels to spin – and eventually stop – when pulled.
Between 1887 and 1895, the first slot machine to be mass-produced was created by Charles Augustus Fey. This machine was called The Liberty Bell, and was the first machine to allow automated payouts – made possible by gameplay being simplified to three reels and fewer symbols.
The design was not patented, so companies produced similar machines, becoming the premise for the fruit machine era.
Becoming digital
In 1964, the first electromechanical slot was released by Bally. The reels were operated by a motor, but a lever was still used to activate gameplay for familiarity.
This was the first ever slot machine with a bottomless hopper, meaning payouts could reach up to 500 coins. Over time, the lever was removed and replaced with a button before video Slots joined the scene.
Then, 1994 and 1996 saw the first online casinos open their virtual doors. It didn’t take long for video Slots to become available, and the fast evolution of technology in the following years meant the introduction of better graphics, bonus features and a variety of themed games.
How to play
To play slot games, whether that be online or at a land-based casino, you must first set a budget and time allocation for playing. It’s crucial that gameplay remains fun and within your limits. Then, you’ll want to find a free machine, or select one online with a theme or features that interest you.
There’s lots to consider when picking a game, from the return to player (RTP) rate and volatility, to what features and symbols the game has. However, even with so many to choose from, the premise of gameplay remains the same.
The aim is to line up matching symbols or combinations on the reels. You’ll do this by pressing ‘spin’, triggering a Random Number Generator (RNG) to provide an unpredictable outcome. Slot games have no memory, ensuring gameplay is kept fair and unbiased for everyone who tries their chance. The symbols you aim to line up can vary – the most common being fruit, 7s and BAR symbols – inspired by the aforementioned fruit machines.
Other games may have symbols reflective of the theme, but you’ll likely find card suits and numbers corresponding to different payouts or bonus features, should any combination line up on the reels.
As you can see, slot gaming – whether you play online or at a brick-and-mortar venue – can be quick and fun. Just make sure you stay within your limits and remember the outcome is entirely unpredictable.
Please play responsibly. For more information and advice visit https://www.begambleaware.org
