Cast your mind back to 1891 New York (yes, we know you weren’t born yet), when Sittman and Pitt, businessmen from Brooklyn, designed the first slot game.
The fascinating history started with just five drums, fifty card faces, a nickel, and a leaver. The two men introduced their creation to the New York bar scene, where players are said to have won the likes of free beer or cigars, since the machine had no direct pay mechanism.
A few years later Charles Fey, of California, devised a much simpler version named ‘Liberty Bell’ – the advancement was that successful Fey couldn’t keep up with demand across the U.S cities!
Fast forward to the present day, the world of slots has thrived and developed in ways that Sittman, Pitt, and Fey could never have imagined. In this blog, we’re taking a look at all things slots – from how to play slots to the best slot machines to play…
What are Slot Machines?
Slots are mechanical or electronic games with three or more reels that display various symbols – like fruit, numbers, or themed icons.
The objective? To spin the reels and align the symbols in specific combinations to win prizes. Contemporary slots incorporate advanced technology, including random number generators.
Depending on the alignment of symbols when the reels stop spinning, players may win credits, cash, or other prizes. What’s more, casino slot games offer a wide variety of themes, features, and payout structures, catering to diverse preferences and budgets.
Innovative Spins: Types of Slot Machines
Nowadays there is an interesting range of slots to play – let’s take a look at the variety!
- Classic Slots: Also known as traditional or three-reel slots, these machines feature a simple design with three reels and typically only one payline.
- Video Slots: These are modern slot machines that use video displays instead of physical reels. Video slots can feature multiple paylines, elaborate themes, animated graphics, and bonus rounds – considered by many gamers the best slot machines to play.
- Progressive Slots: These machines are linked together to form a network, with a portion of each wager contributing to a cumulative jackpot that grows over time.
- Multi-Line Slots: Featuring multiple paylines, allowing players to bet on more than one line per spin.
- Fruit Machines: Popular in the UK and other European countries, fruit machines are similar to classic slots but often include additional features like bonus games, nudges, and holds.
- 3D Slots: Video slots that incorporate three-dimensional graphics and animations to enhance the visual appeal and realism of the gameplay.
The above six are just a selection of the many casino slot games available in the UK and beyond. Keep reading to explore how to play slots…
How to Play Slots
Denominations
Slot machines frequently offer several denominations (or ‘denoms’) – in short, this is the value of each credit that you’re playing with. Once you pay your money into the machine, which can range anywhere from 50p to £5 per bet, this is then converted into the game’s denominations. Your denoms will be displayed on the machine and is usually played one at a time until all of your credit is used.
Paylines
In more traditional video slot machines, paylines are typically straight lines running from left to right, but modern slot games can have various configurations, including diagonal, zigzag, or even irregular patterns.
Players can usually adjust the number of active paylines they want to bet on, with more active paylines not only increasing the overall bet size but also enhancing the chances of winning. When the reels stop spinning, if the symbols align on an active payline according to the game’s rules, the player receives a payout based on the paytable.
Understanding paylines is essential for Napoleons’ visitors to grasp the mechanics of slot machines and make informed decisions about their bets.
Progressive slots
What’s interesting about progressive slots is that the electronic machines are linked to create an ultimate common jackpot. At Napoleons, our progressive jackpots reach a whopping £20,000 – but some of the big Vegas casinos have reached up to a mega $39,710,826.
Usually, progressive machines have a bigger minimum bet, so should only be played responsibly if your budget allows for this.
Slot Safety
Our Members’ and guests’ gaming safety is our top priority and we always recommend being gamble aware. That’s why it’s key to choose the best slot machines to play for your budget and habits.
Check out a few of our Gamble Aware tips
- Manage your money wisely and don’t bet more than your set budget.
- Play on one machine at a time.
- Give yourself a time limit for gaming.
- Slots are never ‘due’ to drop if nobody has won on that machine in a while.
- Choose games that fit your entertainment values, not just for maximum jackpot opportunities.
- Start with smaller budgets until you understand how the game works.
- Don’t automatically bet the maximum denomination hope that it will be an instant payout.
Inner Workings: Casino Slot Games at Napoleons
Slot Tournaments
Napoleons’ Members compete against each other to win Freeplay vouchers!
Super Slots Match Play
Play £20 and we’ll match your stake!
Cash Connection
£20,000 linked, progressive jackpot. Featuring popular games such as Charming Lady, Book of Ra, Dolphins Pearl, Lord of the Ocean, Sizzling Hot, Queen Cleopatra and Pharaoh’s Fortune!
An Asian-themed game commanding the four elements – fire, metal, earth, and water – with 100 paylines, different levels, and two top features!
*Please note, not all of the above slot games are available to every Napoleons Casino branch.
*Terms and Conditions Apply
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