Types Of Slot Machines
There are many different types of slot machines available in every casino, ranging from single-coin and multi-coin machines to touch-screen and video slot machines. Picking the right device is extremely important for a player because they will not want to bet on a slot which their bankroll cannot support. Additionally, they need to always pick a slot machine they are comfortable with because at the end of the day, slots are above all supposed to be fun.
Single-coin machines
These machines are very hard to find, as they have become a bit obsolete with the introduction of slots accepting bills or multiple coins per spin. Most gambling venues nowadays offer the most advanced slot machines available on the market as they provide more entertainment for the player since that is one of the most important things for the casino. Additionally, single-coin machines are not as profitable as later-generation slots.
However, some older and less modernized gambling establishments still have them and a player can enjoy a classic spinning experience if they so choose. Plus, their credits will last longer.
Multipliers
A machine that takes more than one coin and has a payout ratio according to the number of coins played is usually referred to as a Multiplier.
Bally introduced the first such machine in 1987 and provided casinos with a way to encourage players to place bigger bets. For example, if a player bets one coin and hits three sevens they will win, say $5. However, if the player bets 2 coins, they will win $10, if the machine shows the same combination. Multipliers usually pay out proportionally on all winning combinations, with the exception of the most lucrative ones, where the payout is much larger when played with the maximum bet.
The majority of slot machines in an average casino are multipliers and, although they still offer a single-coin play, the better half of players prefer to bet the maximum.
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Note that the machines we are going to cover next are all Multipliers.
Buy-Your-Pay Machines
This type of machine is a bit tricky, but nothing too complex. You can usually identify the buy-your-pay machines by looking at the payout table of the device.
These machines accept one to five coins per spin and the number of activated winning combinations depends on the number of the inserted coins. For example, playing with one coin might count three bars as the only possible winner, and if the player hits three cherries, the machine will not pay. However, if a player inserts more coins, then more winning combinations are added.
Although such machines are not as popular as before, they can still be found in some casinos. It is important to note that should one decide to play on such a machine, they need to always bet the maximum number of coins so that all winning combinations can be unlocked.
Overall, one should avoid buy-your-pay machines, as it can be quite frustrating if they land the jackpot combination with a one-coin bet but fail to qualify for the prize because of their stake’s size.
Multiple Payline Machines
Typically, a slot machine will have only one payline right in the middle of the screen, where the winning symbols must line up in order for the spin to be a winner. However, manufacturers introduced machines that offer more than one payline in order to provide more action for the player.
Usually, each extra payline requires one more credit to be activated and when a coin is inserted into the machine, an additional indicator lights up to show the payline is active.
A player could find slots with two, three, five, or more paylines. Online casinos offer slots with 25, 50, or more paylines.
It is important to note that playing more than one payline does not actually increase a player’s chances of hitting a winning combination, but it does not hurt them either. Each machine has a different payout ratio, which is set by the manufacturer in line with the casino’s requirements.
Wild Play Machines
Wild play machines are maybe the most fun slots one can bet on, as they offer you a chance to double, triple, or even quintuple your winnings.
Wilds are special because they can substitute for other symbols helping players create more winning combinations in near-miss situations. In addition, wilds can sometimes unlock bonus features or have a multiplier attached to them, thus increasing your profits. If a player hits a winning combination with a wild multiplier symbol in it, their winnings will be doubled, and if there are two wild symbols, their winnings may be quadrupled.
However, if three symbols are shown, they form their own winning combination. Every time one sits on a Wild Play machine, they need to make sure they checked the payout table as different machines have different payout ratios.
Wild Symbols became popular when IGT released their Double and Triple Diamond slots, where the wild symbol was the diamond. These devices quickly become very attractive for players and, therefore, profitable for casino operators.
Progressive Machines
Usually, they represent a group of slot machines, which pay out a joint jackpot. A progressive jackpot will increase every time a player inserts a coin into one of the machines that are linked together. The total amount of the jackpot will continue to climb higher until some lucky player hits the magical combination. Once hit, the jackpot will then reset to a predetermined amount and start growing again.
Due to the popularity of progressive slot machines, casino operators have introduced new features or bigger jackpots to keep the trend going. For example, some gambling firms have brought the understanding of a progressive jackpot to a whole new level by linking together slot machines from multiple casinos in the same state. To get a better grasp on the amount of money we are talking about, let us pinpoint one of the most popular jackpots in the US. In 2014, the Megabucks jackpot was hit and paid $14 million to one lucky person.
With the introduction of online casinos, progressive jackpots have become even more popular. It is common to see a casino offering the opportunity to hit a progressive jackpot generated across all websites running on the same software platform.
Big Berthas
The largest slot machines currently built are usually referred to as Big Berthas. These machines are typically placed near the casino’s entrance, as they are very interesting for new players. Big Berthas can be equipped with three, four, or more reels. However, this type of machine does not offer a high payout percentage.
Multi-Game Machines
Multi-game slot machines have proven to be quite popular as they allow the player to switch between games without having to move to a different machine. For example, a certain multi-game machine may offer the choice of playing different kinds of keno, video poker, blackjack, and slots.
Additionally, these machines often support different denominations. For example, one can start by playing blackjack betting quarters on each hand, and then switch to a game of keno betting $1 per round.
Touch-Screen Machines
With the introduction of the touch-screen technology, the gambling industry was also affected and many manufacturers started implementing this high-tech method of interaction with the slot machine.
Since their release, touch-screen slots have proven to be successful, particularly the models that have their main screen embedded into a table or a shelf and provide resting space for the player’s hands.
Reel Slot Machines
A typical reel machine consists of three reels or five reels with 20 or 24 stops on each reel. However, some slot machines offer play on four, six, eight, or even ten reels. At the dawn of the slot machine industry, the reels were spun mechanically by pulling a lever. However, nowadays the spin is powered by an electronic mechanism.
Video Slot Machines
Video slots are basically computer software that represents the reels spinning and the symbols lining up. The main difference between reel and video slots is that the latter can offer more than 5 paylines, depending on the casino’s needs. Some video slots have 9, 15, 25, 30, or even 100 different paylines.
Additionally, video slots offer various bonuses during play, such as free spins and bonus games that can bring players extra winnings.