What's the slot for me?

Slots, in basic form, have changed very little over time. The slots we see in casinos and online are all simply slightly modernised forms of the original one armed bandit game. All slots work in the same simple method where the player inserts a coin and then spins the reels and wins or loses. It's not quite that simple however as technology has advanced to the point where slots these days don't have to have a single mechanised part so the reels are all virtual now. That's not all that's changed either as programmers and game designers over time have cleverly come up with different variations on the original slot game to offer players more functionality and bigger wins. Let's take a look at some of the types of slot game on offer to players today.

MULTIPLE PAY LINE

The first slots and slots for some time after that featured only one win line. Slots are available to play now that feature multiple winning lines across the reels. For instance, if you had a 3 reel slot it would be possible for 3 symbols on each reel to slide into view giving 3 lines for the player to bet on (upper, middle and lower). The player has a chance to choose how many, and which lines he plays on; so of course, if a player only bets on the middle line and a combination rolls in on the top he won't win. However, if a player bets on all the lines it doesn't matter where the win appears on the reels, the player will get paid. Some of the bigger 5 reels slots can have up to 20 or 25 pay lines.

BONUS

Many slots today offer bonus games when the player hits a certain combination of symbols across the reels. These bonus games are exactly what they say they are offering players a sub game (anything from a free spin reel game to more complex graphical affairs which feel almost like a video game) where they can win money without having to place more in the slot. Bonus slots are exceedingly popular today in the form of themed slots where the bonus game will usually be designed in line with the theme of the slot. For instance, the popular Battleships slot available online today features 2 bonus games, one where you can play a version of the original battleships game for money and another where your battleship dukes it out with enemy. These sub games add a brilliant flavour to many slots and many experienced slot jockeys love the machines because of the big payouts possible through these bonuses.

PROGRESSIVE

Progressive slots are the slots that feature the big life changing wins that receive all the publicity in Vegas. Progressive slots have a jackpot which starts (or seeds, as they say in the trade) a set amount. A small amount from every play on the machine is then added to the jackpot pushing the jackpot steadily up. Then, when a player hits the 5 symbol jackpot on the machine they'll collect all the original jackpot plus the total of all the small stakes grabbed from every play on the machine. This total is called the progressive jackpot and on some slots this can be an astronomically large amount of money. Some progressive slots are stand alone games but many these days feature a network of machines all feeding into the same jackpot. The most famous of all progressive slots is the Megabucks progressive slot in Vegas which is currently made up of a network of over 600 machines.

So now you've got an idea of what's on offer to the slot player, now your only question is where to play? Where-ever you play we always recommend that before you try out a new slot game you read the instructions all the way through so you understand how the game both pays and plays. As with all gambling it's often good to choose a limit and stick to it and equally decide on an amount you'll be happy to win which makes it easier to walk away with the winning. Slot games these days are a lot of fun so which-ever type of slot you chose to play, good luck.

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