How to Play Slot Machines: The Definitive Guide (2022) | SiGMA

Slot machines are devices that generate games of chance, and are also known as fruit machines or pocky machines in Australia and New Zealand. In this article, we will explain how to play slot machines, but before that, let's look at the history, terminology, and strategies so that you can understand how they work and what you need to do to win.

About the History

In 1891, Sittman and Pitt in Brooklyn created a gaming device that was the forerunner of today's slot machines. The poker-themed game featured 50 different card images on five reels. Before long, most bars in the city had at least one of these machines, and it quickly became a huge hit.

People inserted coins and pulled a lever to spin the reels and deal cards in the hope of winning poker.

Without a standard payout system, players could win anything from free beer to cigars and drinks with a royal flush. The odds of a royal flush were doubled by cutting the 10 of spades and the jack of hearts from the deck, increasing the house advantage. Shuffling the drums further reduced the player's chances of winning.

• In 1894, San Francisco resident Charles Fey invented the first slot machine. Specifically, he is credited with inventing the now-familiar Liberty Bell design. The Liberty Bell was a three-reel, single-payline slot machine with an automatic payout mechanism.
• Fay's slot machine was an immediate success, but the game has evolved considerably since its creation.
• In 1907, slot machine reels began to feature fruit symbols, which had previously only been used as playing card symbols.
• In the 1920s, Mills Novelty Company developed a feature called the Skill Stop, which allowed players to stop the reels and influence the outcome of the game.
• The first electronic slot machine, Money Honey, was introduced in 1963 by Bally, a well-known video gaming terminal (VGT) company in Illinois.
• Fortune Coin, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada, developed the first video slot machine in Kearny Mesa, California in 1976.
• In 1978, IGT (International Gaming Technology) acquired Fortune Coin and its video slot machine technology.
• Reel 'em in, created by WMS Industries in 1996, is the first US video slot machine equipped with a bonus round on a second screen.
• Since the launch of a thre e-bag full game in 1994, Australia has had such a machine.
• The classic slot machine was very important for Las Vegas to rise as a casino heaven.

Way of playing

The following section provides all necessary information to learn how to play online and lan d-based casino slots.

Online slot

There are some things to know about online slots:

• Check carefully and choose a slot game with good RTP (player reduction rate), percentage, and volatility.
• Try the game demo version and start playing if you like it.
• Set a budget limit for managing bankroll so that you do not make a loss beyond expected. Once the upper limit is reached, stop playing for a while.
• Take into account your budget and bet on the number of payline that seems appropriate. You can get more profits by betting on the more payline.
• If you get a great prize, the player stops playing so as not to lose.

Slot machine etiquette

When playing at a lan d-based casino, there is an unwritten law in slot machines:

• If you are an eager player who plays a lot of machines at once and replaces the machine one after another, make sure that no one is on your choice.
• Even if no one is sitting, the seat may be taken.
• When the casino is full, play only one at a time.
• You are playing a casino, not against other players.
• Don't be nervous if you lose. The purpose is to enjoy, nothing to the machine, staff, or other players.

If you are hungry, sleepy, or in a bad mood, it is recommended that you stop the slot and save money for better time.

In 1978, IGT (International Gaming Technology) acquired Fortune Coin and its video throtch machine technology.

Reel 'em in, created by WMS Industries in 1996, is the first US video slot machine equipped with a bonus round on a second screen.

Since the launch of a thre e-bag full game in 1994, Australia has had such a machine.

The classic slot machine was very important for Las Vegas to rise as a casino heaven.

Way of playing

The following section provides all necessary information to learn how to play online and lan d-based casino slots.

Online slot

There are some things to know about online slots:

Check carefully and choose a slot game with good RTP (player reduction rate), percentage, and volatility.

Try the game demo version and start playing if you like it.

Set a budget limit for managing bankroll so that you do not make a loss beyond expected. Once the upper limit is reached, stop playing for a while.

Take into account your budget and bet on the number of payline that seems appropriate. You can get more profits by betting on the more payline.

If you get a great prize, the player stops playing so as not to lose.

Slot machine etiquette

When playing at a lan d-based casino, there is an unwritten law in slot machines:

If you are an eager player who plays a lot of machines at once and replaces the machine one after another, make sure that no one is on your choice.

Even if no one is sitting, the seat may be taken.

• When the casino is full, play only one at a time.
• You are playing a casino, not against other players.
• Don't be nervous if you lose. The purpose is to enjoy, nothing to the machine, staff, or other players.

If you are hungry, sleepy, or in a bad mood, it is recommended that you stop the slot and save money for better time.

In 1978, IGT (International Gaming Technology) acquired Fortune Coin and its video throtch machine technology.

Reel 'em in, created by WMS Industries in 1996, is the first US video slot machine equipped with a bonus round on a second screen.

Since the launch of a thre e-bag full game in 1994, Australia has had such a machine.

The classic slot machine was very important for Las Vegas to rise as a casino heaven.

Way of playing

The following section provides all necessary information to learn how to play online and lan d-based casino slots.

Online slot

There are some things to know about online slots:

Check carefully and choose a slot game with good RTP (player reduction rate), percentage, and volatility.

Try the game demo version and start playing if you like it.

Set a budget limit for managing bankroll so that you do not make a loss beyond expected. Once the upper limit is reached, stop playing for a while.

Take into account your budget and bet on the number of payline that seems appropriate. You can get more profits by betting on the more payline.

If you get a great prize, the player stops playing so as not to lose.

Slot machine etiquette

When playing at a lan d-based casino, there is an unwritten law in slot machines:

If you are an eager player who plays a lot of machines at once and replaces the machine one after another, make sure that no one is on your choice.

Even if no one is sitting, the seat may be taken.

When the casino is full, play only one at a time.

You are playing a casino, not against other players.

Don't be nervous if you lose. The purpose is to enjoy, nothing to the machine, staff, or other players.

If you are hungry, sleepy, or in a bad mood, it is recommended that you stop the slot and save money for better time.

Payout

• Slot machines are set to return between 0 and 99% of the amount wagered. The theoretical payout percentage, known as the return to player percentage, is the percentage of money that should be returned to the player. It is worth knowing that the lower limit of the potential payout percentage is usually set by law and varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
• The winning pattern of a slot machine is calculated to give a certain percentage of the actual money wagered to the house and the remaining funds to the player.
• A return to player percentage of 97% means that after a large number of spins, say 1, 000, 000 spins, the machine will pay out $970, 000 on average.

Machine Types

In this section, we will go into detail about the different types of games that can be found in land-based casinos and online casinos.

Classic Slots

Classic online slot machines are the most basic type of game, sometimes known as one-armed bandits, and are old-fashioned mechanical machines where the player pulls a lever to spin the reels.

Classic slots are recommended for players who like things simple, as most of these slots only have a single horizontal payline across all three reels. Even if you have never played slots before, they are easy to play. Three-reel slots tend to have fewer betting options, making them popular with players on a budget or who like a fast-paced gaming experience.

The fewer number of reels means fewer possible winning combinations. They also have a very high variance, meaning players can win big or lose quickly. They use a random number generator (RNG), but online versions tend to have higher payouts than their land-based counterparts.

Classic slot games have different symbols and easy-to-follow rules, and winning is achieved when three symbols line up. They may also have bonus rounds, wilds, and scatter symbols.

Video Slots

This type of slot was born in 1970 and is also called a 5-reel slot. Since there is no lever, the player needs to press the button to start the round. It has a very attractive graphic, sound and video that appeals to any type of players. These slots were created by software designers to improve the player's game experience. The 5 reel slot may be the true pioneer of today's online slot.

The maximum amount that can be bet on one payline is a reason why the video slot gained very popular. The advantage of having more paylines than a thre e-reel slot is that there are many opportunities to win. In addition, the jackpot is also bigger. The last feature of the 5 reel slot is the free spin mode containing the bed mult i-pliers.

Progressive jackpot

All lon g-established online casinos must provide this type of slot, given that there are large progressive jackets that increase over time. When a small amount of each player's bet is put into the jackpot and the prize money, the jackpot begins to increase again from the fixed amount.

Can be classified into three subcategors:

Stan d-Alon e-If you like gambling, you should know that the standalone progressive jackpot is not linked to other slots. In other words, as long as people continue to play the slot, Jackpots continue to grow.

• Linked jackpo t-On the other hand, the linked jackpot is composed of prize money from multiple games, but please note that these games are not always in the same casino. Sometimes it straddles different casinos operated by the same company.
• Wid e-area jackpo t-Wid e-area progressive jackpot is the most attractive because it grows into a huge amount in almost time. Game enthusiasts can find a slot called a flat jackpot, and as the name suggests, the prize money of these games never goes up.
• All progressive slots have jackpot meters, and players can always see how much the prize has been added. < SPAN> This type of slot was born in 1970 and is also called a 5-reel slot. Since there is no lever, the player needs to press the button to start the round. It has a very attractive graphic, sound and video that appeals to any type of players. These slots were created by software designers to improve the player's game experience. The 5 reel slot may be the true pioneer of today's online slot.
• The maximum amount that can be bet on one payline is a reason why the video slot gained very popular. The advantage of having more paylines than a thre e-reel slot is that there are many opportunities to win. In addition, the jackpot is also bigger. The last feature of the 5 reel slot is the free spin mode containing the bed mult i-pliers.
• Progressive jackpot

All lon g-established online casinos must provide this type of slot, given that there are large progressive jackets that increase over time. When a small amount of each player's bet is put into the jackpot and the prize money, the jackpot begins to increase again from the fixed amount.

Can be classified into three subcategors:

Stan d-Alon e-If you like gambling, you should know that the standalone progressive jackpot is not linked to other slots. In other words, as long as people continue to play the slot, Jackpots continue to grow.

Linked jackpo t-On the other hand, the linked jackpot is composed of prize money from multiple games, but please note that these games are not always in the same casino. Sometimes it straddles different casinos operated by the same company.

Wid e-area jackpo t-Wid e-area progressive jackpot is the most attractive because it grows into a huge amount in almost time. Game enthusiasts can find a slot called a flat jackpot, and as the name suggests, the prize money of these games never goes up.

All progressive slots have jackpot meters, and players can always see how much the prize has been added. This type of slot was born in 1970 and is also called a 5-reel slot. Since there is no lever, the player needs to press the button to start the round. It has a very attractive graphic, sound and video that appeals to any type of players. These slots were created by software designers to improve the player's game experience. The 5 reel slot may be the true pioneer of today's online slot.

The maximum amount that can be bet on one payline is a reason why the video slot gained very popular. The advantage of having more paylines than a thre e-reel slot is that there are many opportunities to win. In addition, the jackpot is also bigger. The last feature of the 5 reel slot is the free spin mode containing the bed mult i-pliers.

Progressive jackpot

• All lon g-established online casinos must provide this type of slot, given that there are large progressive jackets that increase over time. When a small amount of each player's bet is put into the jackpot and the prize money, the jackpot begins to increase again from the fixed amount.
• Can be classified into three subcategors:
• Stan d-Alon e-If you like gambling, you should know that the standalone progressive jackpot is not linked to other slots. In other words, as long as people continue to play the slot, Jackpots continue to grow.
• Linked jackpo t-On the other hand, the linked jackpot is composed of prize money from multiple games, but please note that these games are not always in the same casino. Sometimes it straddles different casinos operated by the same company.

Wid e-area jackpo t-Wid e-area progressive jackpot is the most attractive because it grows into a huge amount in almost time. Game enthusiasts can find a slot called a flat jackpot, and as the name suggests, the prize money of these games never goes up.

All progressive slots have jackpot meters, and players can always see how much the prize has been added.

Before we get into progressive slots, it's worth remembering that to win the biggest prize, you have to spin with the maximum. If you spin with the maximum bet and land a winning combination that triggers the jackpot, you will get a pretty small payout. Such slots have a low regular payout, so the probability of someone winning a big prize is not very high.

Slot Elements

In this part, we will explain the elements that make up a slot machine.

Reels

To fully understand the differences in the games, you need to get used to the terminology. A reel is a technical term that means a row, which is the most important part of a slot machine. A reel can show each symbol only once during a spin. When that symbol appears on the screen, you know if the combination is winning or not.

Most modern slot machines have five reels. However, developers are constantly developing new complex and sophisticated games. As a result, slot machines with fascinating visual effects and three-reel slots with two grids have been born, but regardless of the number of reels, their functionality remains the same.

Paylines

A payline is a combination of winning symbols. Winning symbols may line up vertically, horizontally, diagonally or even zigzag. Slot machines have advanced to the point where the number of paylines can be set randomly. Moreover, players can bet on the maximum number of paylines.

Rows

The columns, together with the reels, make up the game grid (the surface on which the symbols are placed). The number of columns has also increased, as has the number of reels and paylines. Also, the way the dimensions of the rows and reels are counted is the only factor that distinguishes between the two.

Symbols

Even though there have been advancements in the world of slots, the symbols used are considered classic, so even the most popular types of symbols are used in modern slots. If these icons line up correctly, players can get rewards.

Paytable

A pay table is a handy guide that tells you how much you can win, the special features, paylines, wagering requirements, and jackpots (if any). The length of the table depends on the complexity of the machine.

Not all slots make this clear, but most slots will state the expected return to player (RTP) on the pay table. Looking at this percentage can help you decide whether the slot is for people who just want to play, or for people who want to take risks and win big prizes.

Symbols

Now that you know more about the elements of slots, let's talk about the symbols present in various slot games. Wild Symbols

Wild symbols can substitute for other symbols, so they can complete paylines without a prize, but they cannot substitute for other bonus symbols. As a result, the wild symbol has no monetary value on some gaming machines, but on others it is the most valuable symbol.

Every time a wild symbol appears, players feel excited. However, in some games, the wild symbol only appears on certain reels, such as the middle three reels of a five-reel slot machine. Wild Symbols

In online slot games, the scatter symbol is a distinctive symbol that can have various purposes depending on the game you play. For example

Activate various bonus games and features; Wild Symbols

Substitute for different symbols to complete winning combinations.