A Brief History of Classic Slots
Older classic slots machines were commonplace on casino floors and pub counters around the world. Previously, these machines operated on an analogue mechanical construct. After slotting your coins into the machine, one would pull a lever on the side of the machine to get the reels to roll manually. This is where the ‘One-Armed Bandit Machine’ gets its name, as you would pull its arm and it would inevitably steal your money like a bandit.
Automated games with video graphics have since replaced modern slot machines on casino floors. These machines render virtual reels on the screen that are spun at the press of a button. Classis slots have however kept the graphical rendering very close to the vintage look, so as to keep their following of gamers happy.
Today, Classic games are rendered in a very similar way on either your desktop or mobile device screen by way of high-end gaming software platforms. Just a click of a mouse or the tap on the screen will start the fruity reels on their way. What’s best is that you needn’t leave home to do it, either.
Common Features of Classic Slots
The Look
At first glance, the trained eye can identify a classic slot machine from a mile away. The usual giveaway is the 3 columns or reels instead of 5, like most video slot games have. These are usually accompanied by between 1 and 9 paylines at most, instead of insane numbers of pay ways. Paying bets over a few paylines remains a far easier way to manage and keep track of your bankroll.
Secondly, the prominent symbols used in classic slots gaming usually incorporate fruit icons, such as melons, cherries, lemons, grapes and more, with additional high paying symbols that include Bars, Bells, Stars, and Sevens.
These symbols are a throwback to old-style Vegas slots and pub machines. Video Slots will usually use icons that are in keeping with the theme of the game. With classic slots, the theme is simply – spin and win!
Sound
Instead of state-of-the-art sound effects, classic slot games will often use generic arcade-style beeps and bobs to indicate wins, reels rolls, and more. For some, that sound is the authentic gambling tune and worthy of keeping.
If you have ever entered the game floor of a real land-based casino and heard the chimes, beeps and alarms, you will know why classic slots tunes appeal to old school gamblers more than modern video slots sound effects do.
Gameplay
Classic slots usually (but there are exceptions) offer players a far simpler gaming experience, with few to no special bonus stages and features to take away from the traditional reels rolls. Often the grandest feature on a true vintage classic is the Wild symbol that substitutes for other symbols and on occasion may multiply combinational wins.
Frills and thrills are left for video slot fans, where graphics, sound effects and features play a massive part in the attraction of the game. So, for those who like to keep things calm and sedated, classic slots are a real winner.
Do not however write off classic slots just because some may lack free spins and other involved features because many games will give you great wins from base game spins.
Wins and jackpots
A jackpot is traditionally defined as the highest win you can make from one combination over a single payline. On Classic slot machines, this may incorporate three 7’s on one payline. On video slots, it would incorporate 5 matches over a payline because of the number of reels used.
With classic slot games, there are two plausible jackpots that may be offered in the game:
Standard Combinational Jackpot - This is a set prize amount offered, based on a specific multiple of your line bet wager when rolling the highest possible combo over a single line. The point is, a combination triggers the prize.
Progressive Jackpot – A progressive jackpot is an accumulating top prize that grows as players over the network keep betting on the game. This type of jackpot may or may not be won with a combinational match. In some instances, certain games will randomly trigger a jackpot round, where you will be given a chance to compete for the top prize by either spinning a wheel or something similar.
An array of classic slots providers
The chances are, that if an online slots provider manufactures land-based slots too, that they often bring those games to life in the online and mobile segments as well. With the wealth of classic slots on casino floors, game providers like EGT, Novomatic, and Merkur Gaming will very often have a large portfolio of classic slot games for you to play.
Microgaming is the oldest online game studio in the world, and although it is a purely video slots provider, they also offer a steady number of classic slots in their massive list of online slot games available.
‘On The Go' Fruit Flutter
Don’t let the term ‘Classic Slot’ make you think that the tech is old. Many fruity machines are available to play via the latest in HTML5 technology for seamless gameplay via your Android or iOS mobile devices. This means that you can play your favourite classic slot games whenever and wherever you like, as long as you have access to the internet.