Introduction to Slot Machines & Modern Game Types

Slot machines, or ‘slots’ are considered the most popular casino game type in the world today, with many casino and gambling institutes offering a broad variety of slot game types and styles, tailored to attract a range of players to bet their wager for a chance of winning the ultimate prize, the jackpot!

There are six modern game types playable throughout the world, at your local casino or even online (where many websites offer free online slots to play), however original slot machines typically offered one game type, consisting of five drums and a total of 50 card faces.

 In 1895, American mechanic ‘Charles Fey’ invented the first ‘one armed bandit’ slot machine which is still commonly played today, consisting of 3 spinning reels and a total of five symbols – horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts and a liberty bill – which was coincidentally the name of this machine. The Liberty Bell machine proved so popular, that it was not long after copied by many slot machine manufacturers, and mass produced throughout the United States.

Over the years, there have been many adaptations of slot machines, and with the introduction of computer technology, greater winning sequences and playing styles can be achieved.

Classic Slots

As Charles Fey’s original invention, the classic slots game consists of 3 spinning reels operated either by lever or button, with one winning payline. Classic slot machines can differ on the winning symbols, and are the simplest of slot machine games types.

Although classic slots are considered easy to play, they can still offer variations such as wildcard, multipliers or bonus games, and can be part of a progressive slot jackpot.

Progressive Slots

Progressive slot machines are very similar to classic slots, except they offer huge jackpot prizes. Progressive slots are linked to other machines within the casino, or casino group, and a percentage of each bet placed on the linked machines is added to the jackpot total, which keeps rising until someone wins with the correct symbol combination.

Multi Spin Slots

Multi Spin Slots are typically computer animated slot machines offering a higher chance of winning but tend to be more challenging. With multi spin slots, you are presented with either 4, 6 or 9 slots in one game, and spin all the reels at each go. Due to the greater number of reels, your chances of winning increase, but so does the challenge, as you have to really concentrate on all the combinations.

5 Reel Slots

5 Reel Slots are exactly that, slot machines with 5 reels instead of 3. Your chances of spinning a winning combination are increased due to the additional 2 reels over a classic slots game. Typically, 5 reel slots offer a greater variety of symbols and combinations, and can also feature bonus games, wild, scatter and multiplier symbols, and even multiple paylines.

Multi Payline Slots

Multi Line or Multiple Payline Slots increase the chances of winning over the standard classic or 5 reel slots, by offering multiple ways of obtaining winning combinations. For example, on a classic slots machine, the typical winning combination is based on the 3 symbols matched on the centre line of the reel. In Multi Payline Slots, paylines can be placed in varying directions, horizontally, diagonally and other various line shapes.

Bonus Game Slots

These slot machines offer bonus features when you spin a specific combination of symbols. These features can range from extra games, bonus spins or game multipliers. These bonus features give a chance of winning additional money for no extra bets, and can greatly increase your winning total, however, some do require a great deal of skill to master.

Remember, although there are a variety of game types and styles, all slot machines are based on the spinning wheel concept with chosen symbol combinations, all of which can be played by experts and novices.