Slot machines are currently the most popular game in land casinos; and an equally popular option in online gaming halls. Their simple dynamics and random nature make them a quick and easy game alternative for less experienced bettors.
Although they are interesting to play, observe and analyze, there are some data that many players ignore and that is part of what characterizes the slots. For this reason, a compilation of the most interesting curiosities of these machines is presented below.
Initial purposes
When in the 1880s Charles Fey built the first slots, he did not imagine that these would reach such a boom more than a century later. In fact, the same actions of the casinos indicated that these devices would not get too far inside the business.
Originally they were installed to divert the attention of the players towards the games of the table, overall when the rooms were too concurred to be allowed more games of poker. Many people had to wait for hours and stand in line to wait their turn, and that was reflected in losses for the casino.
The situation resulted in the location of the first slots in the casinos of San Francisco – the place of origin of Fey – and, of course, in the gaming capital of the world, in the state of Nevada. The first copy only had five symbols on the reels, and although at first, the gamblers hesitated to use them, once tested, they seemed not to want to stop.
The trident that made them work
Although the success of the slot machines was almost instantaneous, maintaining the pace, satisfying the demand and continuing to arouse interest was what constituted the three characteristics that currently make one recognizable.
When the technology advanced enough, the first thing that was considered was to replace the mechanical system with a computer chip. Since the 80s, until the current days, the calculations are still part of its core, leaving in history the original conception of Charles Fey.
In that sense, over time the slot machines also began to become more noisy, colorful and dynamic. The original five reels were extended, the payment lines doubled and the rollers, the only survivors of the original design, began to be manufactured with different materials.
Finally, to top off the success that these devices already had printed on their structures, the casinos began to offer bonuses based on them. All that constituted the free word was, is and will always be an incentive that the players will not let go. In the end, the goal of making money at all costs is what keeps its essence unchanged.
Simplicity translated into success
Unlike table games, which require some sense of logic and mental skill, the slots are incredibly easy to get going. In a nutshell, it’s a foolproof game.
To play, the first thing to do is insert the credit -or the coins- in the slot, by pressing the lever or button. This starts the reels with the icons that, little by little, are stopped until they are aligned. According to how the icons on the screen end, the prizes are decided.
Sometimes you win thanks to individual images, but for this, you must consider the payment table that brings the attached machine. In the event that no play is rewarded, the player loses the bet and must redo the same procedure with new coins. Many of the people who use the slots say that in the time, and money, go flying.
They swallow coins and return them to the casino
This is figurative, but the truth is that there is no better word game that describes the position of the slots in a casino. Economically, they are profitable to the point of providing 60 percent of the total income of these businesses.
For the players, the luck is not equal of abundant, but with the sufficient intelligence to bet, it does not leave losses so embarrassing. These machines run away with gamblers with the same frequency that visitors approach to try their luck.
Slot machine variants
Nobody could stop the casino entrepreneurs from taking every last drop of money from these machines. From there, as a result, they created infinities of versions and variants of this game.
One of the most popular is video poker. In this game, the screen shows some cards that, according to their alignment, reward their users or urge them to keep betting. The most notable difference, of course, is that in this game the deck of cards is used, but what comprises the rest is almost the same as a slot machine.
Finally, another variant that has managed to extend even more the popularity of these machines, are progressive slots. These work with a joint system that increases the prize as people go in and enter coins. The combination of winning digits, lose all the accumulated pot.