The history of slot machines is a testament to the games’ popularity and the reason that we have slot machines today is because of the visionary nature of the original inventors. Initially, the games were based on the poker scoring system and the wheels showed different cards to simulate a five-card poker hand.
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The game was just the drums with the cards, however, meaning that a winning hand had to be ‘paid’ by whoever was responsible for the machine. Sometimes this took the form of free beers or cigars, but it was up to the establishment where the machine was located to decide on the prize.
The games were popular, but they were high maintenance for whoever had to dole out the prizes, so the system was crying out for another innovation when Charles Fey put his mind to the problem. Fey was an automotive engineer who wanted to use his engineering skills to create something fun and the Liberty Bell was the result.
He worked out how to automate the payouts so that any winning combination triggered a prize to be dispensed without the need for any intervention on the part of staff members. These machines were so popular that Fey couldn’t make enough to meet the demand for them and other manufacturers began to make their own versions which were installed in barber shops, bowling alleys, bars, saloons and anywhere else where people gathered for fun.
There are plenty of reasons that slots have continued to be popular, including:
1. Online slots replicate the real thing
When the digital revolution began to take off, among the first things to be digitised were some of the most popular games of the day. While ‘Pong’ might not have been an exact facsimile for tennis, some games leant themselves more readily to being replicated in video game form.
Slots were a perfect candidate to be transformed into a digital format as the spinning reels can be accurately replicated on a screen and the odds programmed in to give players the same chance of winning.
2. Slots are simple to play
Anyone can play slots and be in with a chance of winning, which is hugely appealing to anyone that hasn’t played before. While experienced players may develop techniques and strategies to help them win, even someone brand new to the game can pick it up quickly and be in with a chance of bagging a prize.
Unlike some games, where players need to build up experience and learn how to master certain techniques and skills, slots are simple to play. Players are pitting themselves against a machine, so there’s no need to second guess other players or learn complex odds combinations to be in with a chance of winning.
3. The variety of games available
Since the early days of the Liberty Bell, slots have been adapted to include a variety of different themes. Moving online has made it even easier to create slot games that are designed around cultural phenomena, including popular TV shows, films, music, and sports.
This means that there is an ideal slot game to suit anyone’s interests, with familiar characters and motifs that make the gaming experience even more appealing. Mini-games within the main games also make gameplay more varied, offering the chance to use different skills and abilities in order to win.
Where physical casinos are limited by the space they have available, online casinos can offer as many games as they want. This means that there are plenty of options available to those that want to try their hand at a few different versions of their favourite game.
4. The quality of the games available
Since video gaming has become one of the world’s most profitable industries, companies are able to invest in the design and development of new games. This means that new games incorporate the very latest technological advances, from Artificial Intelligence to enhanced reality and more.
When it comes to slots, these advances make things much more fun for players, improving the gaming experience for players. Games now also feature high-end graphics and studio-quality sound as standard, providing players with an immersive experience that makes them even more engaging and entertaining.
5. Play whenever you want, wherever you are
The proliferation of mobile gaming means that players can play slots from wherever they happen to be, meaning that the gaming fun never has to end. Players can make the most of their downtime by playing on their daily commute, on breaks from work, or whenever they have a few minutes to spare.
Gamers that want to play together can now join each other online even if they can’t be together in person, allowing them to maintain their social connections even when they aren’t able to spend time in the same place. Online communities are ideal for slots fans that want to find like-minded gamers to share their successes with, and players can share their tips and advice with others that share their love of gaming.
Whether you have played slots before or not, the gameplay is easy to get to grips and players can win big prizes even with limited experience. With so many different games to choose from, anyone can find a slot game that will appeal to their interests and give them a fun way to be in with a chance of winning big.
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