Since their creation at the tail end of the 19th century, Slots have come a long way. Thanks to all the advancements in technology the games we have now are a far cry from the early prototypes that wowed customers in American bars.
Today there are literally hundreds of varieties of Slots games out there to try. It can be hard to know which ones to choose, whether you’re looking for something simpler or a thoroughly themed game experience or want to try your hand at jackpot Slots.
Let’s cut through all that and have a quick look at the core kinds of Slot games.
Classic Slots
Even the Slots that we call classic today are a lot more advanced than the real oldies. Still, the three-reel slot variety that pioneered the game are still about and kicking.
As the name suggests, three-reel Slots only ever have three spinning reels in play. This means that there are less possible combinations than you’d get on other varieties, which can be a pro or a con depending on your point of view.
In terms of gameplay, these are usually some of the simpler varieties, with mechanics no more complicated than the original one-armed bandits.
There’s fewer extra rules or possible twists to get to grips with here, which helps to keep the classic variety popular even among a sea of newer competitors.
Five-reel Slots
The five-reel slot machines came along a little more recently than the three-reel variety. These first took off in the 70s and 80s thanks to the addition of video technology.
Unlike the three-reel machines, these tend to use a screen rather than physical reels even in land-based casinos. This allows them to incorporate a much wider range of potential combinations and outcomes.
Thanks to the ability to add in a greater range of sound effects and computer graphics into the game it was here that theming really started to come into play.
Some even feature video footage from popular films or games as part of their design, helping different machines to better stand out from each other.
Multi-line Slots
Of course, there’s only so many extra reels you can add to the game before it starts getting overwhelming. So, how else do you jazz up the old formula?
Simple, you increase the number of paylines instead. Unlike the older slot varieties, multi-line games feature more than just one payline for players to watch.
Instead, you could be playing with anything from two to twenty lines as you spin the reels. This adds an extra dimension to the game, increasing the potential odds of hitting a winning line.
Visually, there’s a lot more going on here compared to the classic three-reel machines, which can make multi-line Slots appear a bit complex at first glance if you’re more used to that simplicity.
These three broad types are just the start when it comes to understanding all the varieties of Slots on offer out there. Even the classic three-reel game can come in more jazzed up, modern versions.
Still, no matter what type of game you’re looking for, there’s bound to be a version of Slots that suits your taste.
