Tag Archives: slot machine

Slot Machine Evolution

April 20, 2019   Game guide   No comments

So just how in the heck did slot machines go from where they started to the machines of pleasure we see today? Today, they are modern technical marvels, but in decades gone past, the slot machine was basically a simple mechanical instrument with revolving wheels-nothing fancy.

You pulled the arm and the machine took your money-thus the “one-armed bandit” label was coined. They were very primitive. Personally, I think slot machines have taken a step back. Let me explain.

For eons, the big lure of slot machines was their humongous house advantage-ouch-but their payout method. That’s right. We all love when we hit a slot machine in the paying stomach and it spits out coins nonstop. Listen to the beautiful melody as those coins shoot down the barrel and into the metallic tray below. The whole world could hear when you won-and everyone loved it.

Today, it’s so darn technical that our music and experience has been taken away. Now instead of signaling to the whole world that you’ve just scored, the slot machine calmly and silently prints out a redemption ticket. Clean, yes. Fun, no.

But let’s look more at the fun side of evolution. In the old days, you’d throw in a coin or two, the wheels would spin and some money would pop out if you were lucky. Many got tired of this mundane play and let the slot world. Ah, but that’s all gone now.

Slot machines are now mini video game systems. They have bonuses, side games, moving parts and more. My favorite has to be the Wheel of Fortune. I also loved Reel Em In, which was the first slot machine of its kind.

Walk into any casino (or go online) and gone are the simple 777 slot machine (mostly). Now you’ll find branded video games. They got slot machines for CSI, Adam’s Family, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, James Bond, Playboy and anything else you can dream up. In fact, there’s a convention annually that pitches new brands and ideas to casino executives. I even saw some Elvis slot machines-hey, it’s Vegas.

Virtual slot machines are the way of the future. I won’t be surprised to see full-blown video games at some juncture. We’re almost there now.

Since 2003, which is when WMS introduced the CPU-NXT with film-quality animation and high-resolution graphics, slot machines have evolved into next-generation gaming platforms. The future is bright for slot machines and slot machine players.

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3-Reel Online Slot Machines from Microgaming

December 8, 2018   Game guide   No comments

Microgaming is the leading software provider for the online gambling industry.  Over the past three years, Microgaming has launched over 100 new slot machine games, including a number of classic 3-reel slot machines.  Each of these 3-reel slots has its own unique theme, ranging from oceanic fishing to witchcraft  to adventure.  Classic 3-reel slots are perfect casino games for the beginning player, because of their easy and straightforward format. This article reviews 5 of these new 3-reel slots, including Bar Bar Black Sheep, Bulls Eye, Frost Bite, Jingle Bells, and Jungle 7’s.

Bar Bar Black Sheep is a 3-reel, single pay-line slot machine based on the popular children’s nursery rhyme. The coin range is 20¢ to $1.00. There are 27 winning combinations of symbols, and the Bar Bar Black Sheep symbol is the most important one of all. One or more Bar Bar Black Sheep symbols on the pay-line create winning combinations. One symbol pays out $500, two symbols pay out $1,000, and all three Bar Bar Black Sheep symbols pay out $1,600.

Bulls Eye is a 3-reel, single pay-line slot machine based on the game of darts. The only coin size available is a $1.00 coin. There are 24 winning combinations of symbols, and the Dart Man symbol is the most important one of all. For example, if you play 1 coin and hit 3 Dart Man symbols on the pay-line, you will win $1,000. If you play 3 coins and hit 3 Dart Man symbols on the pay-line, you will win the maximum of payout of $5,000.

Frost Bite is a 3-reel, single pay-line slot machine with an Arctic theme. Frost Bite accepts coins from 25¢ to $5.00, and the maximum number of coins that you can play per spin is 2. One Frost Bite symbol doubles your payout and 2 Frost Bite symbols quadruple your payout. If you hit all three Frost Bite symbols on the pay-line, you will win the maximum jackpot of $1,600.

Jingle Bells is a 3-reel, 5 pay-line slot machine with a festive Christmas theme. The coin range is 25¢ to $5.00, and you can play up to 1 coin per pay-line per spin. With a maximum bet of $25.00 ($5.00 x 1 coin per pay-line x 5 pay-lines), you could win a possible jackpot of $30,000 (6,000 coins).

Embark on a treacherous adventure along the Inca trail.  Jungle 7’s is a 3-reel, single pay-line slot machine with an exploration and adventure theme. The coin range is 25¢ to $5.00 and you can bet up to 3 coins per pay-line per spin. With a maximum bet of $15.00, you could win a possible jackpot of $75,000 (15,000 coins).

So there you have it, five 3-reel slot machines from Microgaming. Whether you play slot machines online or blackjack in Vegas, remember to only gamble with the money that you can afford to lose. Don’t exceed your spending limit should you lose, and never gamble when you are tired or irritable. By following these simple rules of gambling, your casino experience – online or at a land-based casino – will be more enjoyable.

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