| | ||||
| Vegas Casinos Online: Slots | ||||
| Slots, slots, slots! Here you’ll find all the information you need to introduce you to the world of slot machines and online slots games. Depending on your location, the name of the game can change- we call them slot machines here in the U.S., whereas the British refer to them as Fruit machines, and they are called poker machines in Australia and New Zealand. A classic machine can be either mechanical, or electronic- but either will boast a minimum of three wheels or reels to rotate and reveal a variety of symbols or pictures imprinted around the wheels. The reels spin separate from one another so that a menagerie of combinations can be achieved. A minimum bet is required on all game, and they may be activated once its been paid by pulling down a lever on the right side of the game (mechanical versions) or by pressing the Play button on the front of the game. Though classic machines may still have the lever on the side, most times it is simply for show as very few games are still solely mechanical anymore; all of them are controlled by computer on the inside, or by network. As the game is played, and the wheels turn, stopping at random to get combinations on the front, a player will either win or not, depending on the combination struck. Depending on the game, the symbols needed and their arrangements will differ. Also depending on how advanced the game is, you may have a payline only across the center row, or if it is a multi-payline machines, you could win on the top or bottom row. If it’s a video slot game, it’s possible to complicate it further by allowing criss-cross patterns to also win. Slots is a game highly customizable to one’s tastes. They are still remarkably popular in casinos, making up about 70% of land-based casinos’ revenue. The goal of slots is simple: win. You do so simply through chance timing, and although your overall objective is to walk away from the game, be it a computer screen at home, or in a casino itself, it all comes down to luck. Games then, are essentially identical, the differences are mainly in the themes, symbols and pictures sued (usually brightly colored and easily identifiable) and music. The more exciting a game can seem, the higher likelihood a player will sit down. Typically, winning combinations are basically matching pictures (such as three cherries) though there are (of course0 exceptions to every rule in the world of slots. Games will indicate what symbol combinations will be winners. These are usually printed on the front of a physical machine, usually above the spinning reels- or on the screen on your computer. The payout schedule will indicate the amount won for arrangements, or additional prizes such as bonus rounds, or extra games. As previously stated, many of the most popular games now are multi-line payouts. It is to the players benefit to be able to win on more line than the center row. Depending on whether the game is video or not, there is a vast difference in having one chance to win, and being able to win not only horizontally, but diagonally, double-diagonally as well. Mechanical machines can be programmed to have anywhere from 3 to 5 paylines, while the video versions have the potential to carry up to 100 paylines! Most games are referenced to pop culture, again trying to get the player to sit down at that game, versus another. Most current games also allow the player to up their bet, and play more than one coin or credit on each turn, increasing the payout further if a win were to come through. See? Customizable. There are significant differences between video slots and mechanical slots function, outside of the options they allow the player to choose from. This difference is in their payout schedule. With mechanical machines, it’s better for a gambler to play the maximum number of credits- these machines are set up so that jackpots can only be won if the max bet is paid. With video slots, though, the payout schedule that is available to you will only be multiplied by the number of coins bet. It then is better for the player to play as many lines are possible on these games to increase their chances of winning, but you can play a single credit on each line, rather than totally maxing out. Very few video slots require the max bet to win huge. To exemplify this: Wheel of Fortune (a hugely popular slot game available in nearly every casino known to man.) The reel version requires of a person to win the jackpot- they must go through the bonus round, something that can only happen if you are playing 3 coins per spin. In the video version, everyone is eligible to win a bonus round, and therefore give them a chance at the jackpot, no matter if they play 1, 2, or 3 coins per turn. Slots can offer a huge variety of denominations, too. Whereas you’d be hard pressed to find roulette, blackjack, or poker with minimum bets below $5 or $10, slots minimums can go as low as .01¢ (penny slots.) They also can go as high as $100! Typically, higher limit slot machines are set apart from the rest, into separate sections, allowing those players an element of privacy, and special service. Making it easier for the patrons is the constant great challenge for casinos; so much so that although in the past a win, would result in a great influx of coins being poured out of machines to be collected in plastic cups (not very secure in the least), technology now has most machines running ion credit systems, where the funds are credited electronically, and paid out on a coupon when the gambler is ready to cash in, or simply move to another machine. This allows players a security that was previously unavailable, as well as the ability to play more quickly, manipulate multiple machines with ease, and calculate their winnings (or losses) with ease. Finally in our lengthy introduction to the wonder that is slots customization, you have multi-denominational machines. Many online games can be found multi-denominational. These games let a player switch the minimum bet price on an established game without switching. That is to say, you choose how much each turn will cost, and it is alterable as the game progresses. It allows players to find games they like and alter them to their financial preferences, rather than looking only at games within their budget and hoping that they find one to their tastes. If the game is going well, you can then up the ante, and thus your winnings. If it’s not going so great, you can diminish your bet to allow yourself the ability to continue playing, but with minimal losses. | ||||
| | ||||
 Chips | ||||
 Coins | ||||
