Slot Machines Guide | Types of Games to Play Online

The gambling industry has evolved significantly since the development of Charles Fey's mechanical slot machine in 1891. It has transformed from the confines walls of the gambling halls to the Internet, where people can access them whenever they feel like it. Because the Internet isn't limited by space, there are more than 10,000 slot games you can play online. Yet, despite the massive number, they are broadly categorized into five main sections. This article looks at these five categories, highlights their main features, and gives examples of online slots under each category. Types Of Slot Machines Online The Internet has diversified everything and given us many choices to pick from. This extends to slot machine games. You no longer need to play only a few games, like in the '60s, '70s, '80s, and early '90s. Today, you can play thousands of online slots like Bigger Bass Bonanza demo, which are broadly categorized under the following: Classic online slots Video slots 3D slots Jackpot slots Provably fair slots Regardless of the type of online slot game you play, it must fall under one of the five categories. If you are unfamiliar with these games, continue reading to get specific examples under each category. Classic Slots As the name suggests, these are games based on the classic slot machine found in local casinos, pubs, and gaming arcades. They include the simplistic setup of 3 reels, one pay line, and symbols such as diamonds, spades, liberty bells, and fruits. Their bet limits are also quite friendly, allowing you to spend as little as $0.01 per spin. Popular games under this category include the following: 7s Fury 40 (GameArt) 777 Fruity Classic (3 Oaks Gaming) Fruit Salad 100 (Microgaming) Froot Loot (Microgaming) There are classic slot machines that feature high bet limits and come with a few twists. However, the basic work principle remains the same; they have 3 reels, not more than 5 paylines, and use symbols mostly associated with classic slot machines Video Slots The first video slot games were invented in the 1970s. They upgraded Charles Fey's popular format, which mostly used fruits, horseshoes, and fruit symbols. In the online niche, the real upgrade of classic machines to video slots didn't happen until Microgaming released their Thunderstruck Slot. Due to improved technology to support superior graphics and better design, Microgaming released their Viper downloadable software alongside a few slots. This included titles like Thunderstruck, Immortal Romance, and Lara Croft, Terminator. Since then, thousands of games have been released by 150+ software companies, including: Jack and the Beanstalk (NetEnt) Book of Ra (Novomatic) Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play) Kingdom Below (Play 'n Go) Note that these games share similar traits. For example, they have superior graphics, sleek animations, and many in-game features. Basic features found in most video slot games include wilds, scatters, and free spins. Sophisticated features include sticky wilds, bonus buy, Megaways, among many others. 3D Video Slots 3D video slots are similar to the regular video slots described above. The biggest difference between these two categories is the graphics used in developing the games. Due to better technology, software providers such as BetSoft Gaming, NetEnt, Playtech, and Microgaming were able to develop games with 3D graphics and animations. When you play games such as The Slot Father (BetSoft Gaming), Gonzo's Quest (NetEnt), and Vikings Go Berzerk (Yggdrasil Gaming), you'll mistake them for a video game or a film picked out of a Hollywood animation film. Jackpot Slots Classic slots, video slots, and 3D slots can all fall under the jackpot slots category. The unifying factor under the jackpot category is that they all have massive payouts. It could be a few thousand dollars or millions, depending on the type of jackpot. Popular games under this category include Mega Moolah (Microgaming), Mega Fortune Dreams (NetEnt), and Slots O' Gold (Blueprint). Provably Fair Slots This is the latest group of online slots to hit the internet. They are backed by Blockchain technology and allow players to verify that a game's outcome is fair. All the types of slots above can be categorized under provably fair games. Choose Your Favourite Slot Game Online There are thousands of online slots to pick from – you just have to know what you want. If you are in the mood to relax and seek straightforward gameplay, classic slot machines are the best. If you want a game with a heavy plot, you should consider playing 3D video slots. Jackpot slots are best suited for players looking for massive wins. Of course, you don't need money to play all these games. Online casinos allow you to play them for free before committing any real money.