What Are The Different Types Of Slot Machines?

There are so many types of slots and fruit machines. In fact, the very first slot machine was made in the late 1800s, way back then things were very different. These early machines were very big cumbersome mechanical devices.

They became widely known as “One Arm Bandits” due to the huge mechanical arm that needed to be pulled to make the reels spin. Or it could be that it looked like it had one arm and stole all of your money. But there is no doubt of their popularity so it wasn’t long before you would see slot machines everywhere.

However, there have been huge advances in the technology available so the humble slot machine has gone through many changes over the years.

By the early sixties, the huge mechanical pull arm started to be phased out by the rise of electromechanical machines. Then roughly a decade later, the new dawn of arcade coin-op machines allowed the advancement to video slots.

These fully automated screen machines became the pre-cursor to the types of online slots machines that we are familiar with today.

So here is our breakdown of the different types of slot machines. From the early machines right through to the new online multi-line payout slots with huge progressive jackpots that you can play anywhere at any time on your mobile device.

The Liberty Bell – The Three Wheel Slot

The Liberty Bell was the very first mechanical slot machine. It was given this name because the biggest payout was awarded when achieving three bells in a row on the single pay line.

The three-wheel slot is the most basic of all slots. Simply pull the lever and wait for the reels to stop and if they match you win. Now, the three-wheel slot may be basic but it is still very popular today.

You can still find a great selection of one arm bandits in casinos. But more importantly, the simplicity of the game makes it much more appealing for beginners.

Multi Payline Slot

Traditionally the pay line consisted of one horizontal line in the middle of the reels. So if the three reels stopped with matching items across that line – you won.

However, the multi pay line takes it to the next stage. Now you can choose a huge number of pay lines that can be up, down, horizontal, zig zags or virtually any shape possible.

Today’s machines can offer around thirty pay lines, meaning you really have to keep your wits about you. Generally, people who play progressive jackpots try to play as many pay lines as they can afford.

But be careful, because while it does increase your chances of winning, it also takes a lot more money from you if you don’t.

Video Slots

In the 1970s anything digital was huge. We were all amazed at the first digital watches and when Space Invaders appeared the world was changed forever.

So it was inevitable that slots would move with the times and the video slot was created. This technology gave endless opportunities to the game creators, making more complex games to keep the punters happy.

There were even two-screen slots created in 1994 making the machines even more advanced.

3D Slots

Much the same as coin-operated arcade machines, the advances in graphics allowed the designers to take the games to the next level. The days of Space Invaders and Atari consoles were over.

Instead they were replaced with increasingly realistic graphics that had to be applied to the slot machine too. What this meant, was that we now had a selection of themed slots.

Every single blockbuster movie now has its own slot machine. In fact, there seems to be a 3d slot machine for any kind of interest available.

Pretty much all of these machines offer such variation in wager amounts and pay lines that they are suitable for everyone and the choice is endless.

Progressive Jackpots

It’s fair to say that pretty much everyone is now connected online and making the internet an integral part of their everyday life. So with the dawn of Video and 3d slots, it was only a matter of time before these games would be provided by regulated companies to the masses.

The result of this meant that hundreds of people could be playing the same game on their own devices. But the technology allowed the winnings to grow with the higher number of players.

This is the Progressive Jackpot. With these types of slots, every time you pay for a spin, a portion of that money goes into the jackpot. The jackpot grows until it is one by one lucky player.

One of the biggest providers of progressive slots for most of the UK casinos and online bookmakers is Jackpot King. They offer multiple jackpots every day that can be won by anybody.

We all like to dream big, so when the jackpots can be millions of pounds the progressive jackpot is very popular.

Bonus Slots

There is nothing very complicated about the idea of Bonus Slots. Think of it just like an additional chance of winning. But not winning additional cash, instead, it is an option to win more spins.

This keeps you playing longer and does not affect your real winning pot at all.

High Limit Slots

We are all familiar with the casino term “High Roller” and high limit slots are along the same idea. The idea is that playing for high stakes gives you a greater chance of winning and those wins will be a lot more than if you played for 10p per spin!

Some of these games will be in their own area within an online casino. However, if you don’t see yourself as a high roller or you don’t have the funds it is best to give these a miss as the more you put in the more you can lose.

How To Win On Slot Machines

All in all, slots are as popular now as they have ever been. You can still find them in your local pub and the big casinos have huge rows of slots ready for you to jump onto.

But ever since the smartphone was invented, you can now play anywhere you like as long as you have an internet connection.

So what this means, is that there is stiff competition out there from the online casinos. It’s fair to say that some are better than others, but we only promote the most reputable providers.

So take a look through the reviews of the best casinos and pick up a great Welcome Bonus at the same time.