Tag Archives: video slot
Slots – Past Present and Future
Slots have come a long way since Charles Fey created the first one in his auto shop in 1895. Since then, those “One Armed Bandits,” as they are commonly called, have captivated our eyes, our minds, and most certainly, our wallets. What is it that draws us to these machines of fortune and failure?
At first, slots were big clunky devices made out of cast-iron. They were so big and heavy, Fey couldn’t make them fast enough. His first machine was called “Liberty Bell,” and consisted of three reels with pictures of hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades and a cracked liberty bell. When the reels were spun, they would stop in a random order, and if you lined up the liberty bells, the big jackpot payout was 50 cents, paid in ten nickels. The machine became popular, and sparked a new revolution in gambling.
As time progressed, slots were made of less heavy material, and eventually the mechanical gears and lever controls were replaced with electric components. Also, the number of reels varies from machine to machine. Gone are the days of three reels – now some machines have up to seven. That hasn’t changed the appeal that makes these machines one of the most popular games in the casino.
Slots are most certainly a game of chance, but their play style remains the same, no matter what type of machine you are playing on. First thing you need to do, of course, is to drop your coins into the slot. Next, select how many coins you want to wager on each “pay line” Then, depending on the machine, grab that big lever and pull, or push the button. What happens next will amaze some people. In modern games, a random number generator will start to work. The part that will amaze you is that the outcome has already been determined before the reels even start to turn. The random number generator determines the stopping order, as well as the position of each reel. When the reels stop, if you have a winning combination, the coins are added to your “bankroll” or drop out of the chute into the tray at the bottom. In video slot machines, which most modern ones are, payout can occur in multiple combinations. You can win across, diagonally, and in some cases, even in a v-pattern. Some video slots have a “bonus” game which will trigger on certain combinations, and those bonus games can spell big winnings. Of course, the more you wager per line, the bigger your winnings.
One of the biggest misconceptions of slots is that if a machine has paid out big, it won’t pay out again for a long time. In fact, every spin you make on a video slot is in no way related or affected by the last. Each spin has exactly the same odds of winning. Those odds can vary from casino to casino, but you can be assured that slots will continue to attract gamblers for years to come.
5 of the Newest Video Slot Machines from Microgaming
Slot machines are the most popular casino game in the world, both at land-based casinos and on Internet gambling sites. The main categories of online slot machines are classic 3-reel and 5-reel slots, the newer 5-reel video slots, fruit machines, and progressive slots. Microgaming, the leading software provider for the online gambling industry, introduced the 5-reel video slot games just over two years ago. Each of these games has its own unique theme, ranging from red Indians and squaws to 50’s rock ‘n’ roll. This article summarizes 5 of the new video slot games, including Golden Goose Totem Treasure, Halloweenies, Loaded, Pharaoh’s Tomb, and Secret Admirer.
In 2004, Microgaming released 4 video slot games with the classic “golden goose” theme. One of these games is Golden Goose Totem Treasure, a 5-reel, 20 pay-line video slot about red Indians and squaws. There are 4 bonus games, including Golden Egg, Golden Reels, Money or the Egg, and Pick a Card. Three or more Wild Squaw symbols on the pay-line create winning combinations. Three symbols pay out $40, four symbols pay out $1,000, and all five Wild Squaw symbols pay out $12,000.
Halloweenies is a 5-reel, 20 pay-line video slot machine about Halloween. You enter a spooky world of witches, werewolves, Frankenstein, skeletons, and chocolate candy. Two or more Wild symbols on the pay-line create winning combinations. Two symbols pay out $13, three symbols pay out $130, four symbols pay out $1,300, and all five Wild symbols pay out $13,000.
Loaded is a 5-reel, 20 pay-line video slot with a hip-hop music theme. Loaded is a stylish world of yachts, mansions, turntables, and the high life. Two or more Triple 7 symbols on the pay-line create winning combinations. Two symbols pay out $3, three symbols pay out $100, four symbols pay out $700, and all five Triple 7 symbols pay out $7,000.
Pharaoh’s Tomb is a 5-reel, 20 pay-line video slot with an Egyptian theme. You journey to the land of the Pyramids and king-sized treasures. Pharaoh’s Tomb accepts coins from 1¢ to $1.00 and you can bet up to 20 coins per line. With a maximum bet of $400.00, you could win a king-sized $120,000.
Secret Admirer is a 5-reel, 9 pay-line slot machine with the theme of romance. Secret Admirer is filled with red roses, pendants, and diamond rings. One or more Mask symbols on the pay-line create winning combinations. One symbol pays out $2, two symbols pay out $25, three symbols pay out $500, four symbols pay out $2,000, and all five Mask symbols pay out $5,000.
So there you have it, 5 new video slot games from Microgaming. Whether you play video slots online or blackjack at a land-based casino, remember to gamble only with the money you can afford to lose. Have fun and quit while you are ahead.