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Ask a person on the street about online casinos, and the first word that will spring to their mind is ‘slots’. Casino slot machines account for 70% of money spent on gambling in the US – no wonder online parlors are primarily associated with this genre.
Where does this popularity spring from? Short answer: slots offer a virtually limitless choice of themes and game mechanics to enjoy. In this article, we’re giving you a rundown of all the different types of slot machines out there – read more to discover your new favorite game variation!
Traditional or Classic Slots offer the most accessible experience, as they’re usually designed to replicate the vintage physical machines that can still be seen in some brick-and-mortar gaming parlors. These games typically feature three reels and basic symbols like fruits, bars, and sevens. Playing one is the epitome of a relaxed pastime – with no complex combos to track, you can count on the pure bliss of spins!
If you’re looking for something more sophisticated, Video Slots are the way to go. This subgenre offers the widest range of themes and mechanics and is the most widely represented type. Here, you will usually see between 20 to 50 paylines on a 5x3 board – the optimal layout that offers infinite replayability without feeling overwhelming. From a technical standpoint, video slots offer an all-around expansion of the classic formula: bonus symbols, complex features, and advanced graphics.
3D slots are essentially video slots with an even more elaborate visual component. Voluminous elements seen in this subgenre’s specimens allow for truly unique games that transcend the common vision of slots. Definitely try one of these if you derive joy from designer efforts – some 3D slots offer exhibition-worthy artwork while preserving the essence of dynamic and rewarding gameplay.
Building upon the canon of video slots, Megaways are the cutting edge of slot design. What sets them apart is the doubled size of the playing board, an exponential increase in the number of paylines (often reaching hundreds of thousands), and reel-modifying features. Needless to say, this bolsters the game’s variability to stellar heights, giving you an unmatched range of winning opportunities.
Hold and Win slots combine standard video slot gameplay with a unique bonus round feature that allows players to glue certain symbols to the playing board while spinning the remaining reels. Thus, scoring a jackpot stops being a completely random affair – most often, all you need is to lock three Scatters in place and hit two more to trigger the game’s grand prize.
At a certain point in their gaming career, some players feel betting on one payline is not enough anymore. Enter the Multi-Line Slots, where each spin can yield multiple wins, as decided by the player. The idea is easy to grasp: you choose how many paylines to activate, which adjusts the bet size and the potential payout accordingly. Such flexibility lets players manage their risks even more precisely than the standard option of changing the wager amount.
Progressive Slots are traditionally considered the high-roller territory, where players attempt to hunt down exceptionally large payouts. Each time your spin doesn’t end in a win, a small fraction of the wagered money is added to the grand jackpot. Networked slots collect these fractions from all the players in real time, which is usually displayed on a special counter above the playing board.