Mechanical slot machines date back to the late 19th century when they first appeared. Casinos have traditionally offered 3-reel classic slots, but with technological advances, video slots featuring five or more reels have become the norm.
A slot machine was invented in 1891 in Brooklyn, New York by Sittman and Pitt. It had 5 drums holding 50 playing cards and was based on poker. Players would insert a nickel and pull the lever to spin the drums and hope to get a good poker hand. Soon after, Charles Fey developed the first machine with 3 mechanical reels with symbols like bells, horseshoes, and card suits. This classic 3-reel slot machine was the model for most slots for the next 70+ years.
3-reel slots – Classic casino game
For decades, 3-reel mechanical slots dominated casinos. These machines had a simple, straightforward design with 3 spinning reels, a single payline, and a limited number of symbols. Early machines like the Liberty Bell had just 5 symbols while most classic slots had 8-10 symbols such as bars, fruits, bells, stars, and lucky 7s.
3-reel slots have simple game mechanics. Players insert coins into the slot or press the spin button to start the reels. The aim is to line up matching symbols across the payline. For example, getting 3 cherries or 3 bars in a row would win. The jackpot is won by lining up three of the highest-paying symbols, often the game’s logo. Because these are mechanical games, the physical configuration of the reels determines the odds and payouts. Most 3-reel games have a single payline right across the center and fixed coin denominations. Bet sizes are usually limited to 1, 2, or 3 coins per spin. The simplicity of 3-reel slots allowed players to focus on the anticipation of lining up symbols for payouts.
Arrival of video slots
In the mid-1970s, slot makers started experimenting with electromechanical slots controlled by microprocessors rather than mechanical parts. IGT launched the first true video slot in 1977 called the Fortune Coin. It used a modified 19″ Sony TV to display the game graphics and accepted both coins and bills. As video slots gained popularity in the 1980s, manufacturers added features and bonuses to make the games more exciting. Video slots allowed for flashier visuals along with stereo sound effects. Additional paylines and betting configurations also became common.
Rise of 5+ reel video slots
By the 1990s, online gambling australia for real money video slots completely displaced their dated mechanical counterparts. Players embraced the wider range of themes and game styles enabled by video game technology. Video slots usually have 5 reels now but some games have 6, 7, or even more reels. Having more reels allows for bigger payline configurations. While a 3-reel game often has just 1 payline, video slots commonly have between 9 and 25 paylines. Some games have up to 100+ paylines creating many more ways to win. Video slots also introduced multiline betting – players bet on multiple paylines to boost their chances. Video slots also have dynamic bonus features. With wild and scatter symbols, winning combinations became easier. Other innovations include free spins, multiplier bonuses, interactive bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots. It makes video slots inherently more engaging and unpredictable than rigid mechanical games.
