Our guide to different types of Slots

Our guide to different types of Slots

Slot machines have been around, in forms, for many years. The first game of chance that resembled a modern-day slot machine was invented in 1894 in San Francisco. Known as the Liberty Bell, the machine was invented by Charles Fey. But with no patent for his design, Fey’s machine became the basis for many of the Slots we know today.

Nowadays, there are lots of ways to play Slots. From online, themed games like the iconic Starburst Slots to land-based, retro-inspired fruit machines.

That’s why we’ve put together a short guide on the different types of Slots you could play. Read on to find out more…

Land-based slot machines

Starting at the beginning, land-based Slots have evolved through many decades.

Before the Liberty Bell was a Poker machine, which featured five reels and 50 cards out of a 52 card deck. The aim of this game was to spin the reels and line up a Poker hand on the reels, which were operated by a lever and spring mechanism.

The Liberty Bell featured three reels and symbols resembling bells, horseshoes, diamonds, hearts, spades and stars. The reduced number of reels meant it became the first machine to allow automated payouts.

It was this machine, that paved the way for many machines in the years to come. In fact, the 1890s also saw the introduction of classic fruit machines featuring the familiar fruity symbols, BAR and 7s. These symbols are still seen on many land-based and online casino slot games today.

Online Slots

Speaking of online Slots, it didn’t take long for the technological advancements of electromechanical, digital and video Slots to make their way onto online casino sites when they opened between 1994 and 1996. This opened the door for even more slot games – with new themes, special features and types of jackpots available:

  • Slot game themes

There are lots of slot game themes available to play online, alongside the classic fruit machine games. You could play games with an ancient Egyptian theme, Irish theme, cowboy theme and more!

  • Special features

With the advancement of technology comes the advancement of game features. Online, you can play games with different elements like free spins, bonus features like multipliers, and cascading reels. However, remember that no matter what bonus features are involved in slot games, a win is never guaranteed.

  • Megaways

Megaways Slots are another type of slot game you can play online. They feature a base game mechanic which allows for expanding reels and up to 117,649 ways to win. Every spin on a Megaways slot is unique and unpredictable, and the number of paylines changes on every round.

  • Progressive jackpots

Another feature that comes with some online and land-based Slots are the types of jackpots that are available. Progressive jackpots come in all shapes and sizes, but essentially accumulate all the bets from either one or a network of machines until a winning combination is made. Despite the jackpots, the rate at which a machine pays out is outlined by the Return to Player (RTP) rate and volatility.

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As you can see, there are lots of ways you can play slot games, whether that be at your chosen online casino site or at a land-based venue. And, as technology continues to develop, slot game mechanics are likely to continue to evolve.