Slot Variations
Slot machines have advanced considerably since the first slot was invented by Charles Fey in 1887. His "Liberty Bell" was a 3-reel slot machine with such symbols as: diamonds, spades, hearts, horseshoes and the Liberty Bell logo. If you got 3 Liberty Bells in a row, the payout was 10 nickels. The expression, "You've come a long way, baby" aptly fits the advent of online casino software brands showcasing a wide variety of slot variations available at online casinos today.
Since the first slot machine was devised, today one can find several types of slot variations, each with their own specific characteristics including wilds, scatters, and bonus games. Moreover, the majority of the slots is theme-based and offer slot players coin size ranges from one cent up to five dollars or more, with higher payouts adding to the excitement of playing online slots.
Types of Slot Machines
Although the first slot machine was a classic 3-reel, 1 payline slot machine; today you can find these very same Classic Slots at most online casinos. However, creativity knows no bounds as technology has allowed for the advancement of additional types of slot machine including: 5-reel slots, 7-reel slots, 9-reel slots, multi-line slots, progressive slots, bonus slots, wild multipliers and scatters, and free spins.
Multiple-Line Slots
While there still remains the classic 1-payline slot at online casinos, the sky is the limit when it comes to multiple-line slot machines. With paylines ranging from 1 to 100, along with more winning combinations, betting on all lines can afford slot players the opportunity to win lucrative jackpots.
Progressive Slots
If you've ever been to a land-based casino, you have no doubt seen the giant payout sign flashing over the progressive slot area. At online casinos, some of the highest payouts can be found playing progressive jackpots. These are the Most Popular Slots among players. With each bet each player makes, the progressive jackpot grows in size. Thus, online casinos have awarded some of the highest jackpots in online history.
Bonus Slots
Slot machines that feature bonus rounds are particularly exciting for slot players. While some slot games have one bonus feature offered during regular play, others may have a second bonus round activated by wild or scatter symbols. Some of the most ingenious bonus rounds have been designed Wager Gaming Technology, Microgaming, Rival, and Real Time Gaming casinos.
Wild Multipliers and Scatters
All online casino slot machines feature either one or both of these symbols. A wild can be a symbol that, in combination with other symbols, yields a winning payout. So too, if the wild has a multiplier attached to it, the winnings can be doubled, tripled, or quadrupled. The scatter is another symbol that activates a bonus round in a slot game. Both carry equal weight to ensure the slot player has a rewarding gaming experience.
Free Spins
Depending upon the type of slot machine you play, there may be a bonus feature entitling you to free spins during regular game play, and multiple free spins during bonus rounds. The number of free spins awarded can vary from 10 to 100, adding to the payouts one will receive by playing all lines.
No doubt Charles Fey invented a machine that, over time, was improved by others with the same vision. Today, we have the most varied slots at online casinos ever conceived. As technology continues to play a pivotal role in the design and variation of these slot machines, there is no end to the creativity future slot machines will present to its players.