Whether you call them slot machines, fruit machines, pokies, pulltabs, or one-armed bandits, these addictive games have a lot to teach us about the brain. They’re enjoyable distractions designed part by design, and partly by chance, to engage people for as long as possible.
But how do they really work?
Origin
Charles August Fey invented the modern slot machine between 1887 and 1895 (the exact date is still debated). His first version was called the Liberty Bell and featured a three-reel system with five symbols: diamonds, spades, hearts, horseshoes, and a cracked image of a Liberty bell.
Fey’s machines became popular in the 1920s as alcohol was banned across the US, and they were even brought into speakeasies to avoid prohibition regulations. This era is considered the golden age of slots and is when many of today’s classic features were added.
In 1907, Herbert Mills of the Mills Novelty Company of Chicago introduced fruit-flavored gum as a way to pay out winning combinations. This marked a new era for slot machines and helped them become ubiquitous. Research shows that people who play video slots reach a debilitating level of addiction three times faster than those who gamble on other traditional games. This is attributed to the heightened sensory stimulation that these machines provide.
Functions
Despite their seemingly simple design, slot machines have a number of different functions. A random number generator (RNG) is responsible for generating the random sequences that determine which symbols hit on a reel and the paylines they form. The RNG is controlled by a computer processor that also controls the start and max bet switches, token or credit sensor, and hopper. In addition, the CPU is responsible for managing payouts and jackpots. As a result, the CPU is an essential part of the machine’s overall functionality.
To make their machines more appealing to modern gamblers, slot designers have started to incorporate elements of video gaming into the slot construction process. For example, video monitors and 3D graphics are now common features of many slot games. In order to attract younger audiences, some slots even feature popular pop culture themes.
Payouts
The payouts of slot machines are determined by random number generators (RNG) and cannot be controlled by casino owners or machine manufacturers. This is why it is important to check a machine’s RTP before you start playing. RTP is the average percentage of money a slot machine will return in winnings, compared to the amount that the player wagers on each spin.
Modern slots give players many options to customize their gaming experience, from the number of paylines and reels to music and betting limits. They also offer a variety of themes, such as fruit, mystery, games based on TV shows, jungle, and animals.
In the past, errors in electronic slot machine software led to large jackpots that were not actually won. These incidents, however, are rare and usually go unnoticed. There are also cases of advantage players, who try to exploit a machine’s flaws and win big amounts. These individuals are often part of closed communities and can face criminal charges if caught.
Variations
While slots are the most popular game in casinos, they aren’t the only ones available to players. In fact, there are a lot of different types of slot machines that exist, and each offers its own unique set of rules and gameplay.
For example, some slots allow players to modify the number of paylines on each spin. These are called multi-line slots, and they offer players a greater chance of winning a jackpot. However, they can also drive the minimum bet up slightly.
Other games feature a simpler format, like 3-reel slots. These are often characterized by fruit symbols and other simple graphics. They’re less complicated than their more complex counterparts and tend to be preferred by players with smaller bankrolls.
In an attempt to steal the limelight, several game-making studios have come up with novel slot mechanics. Yggdrasil, for example, introduced the fresh Splitz and GigaBloz mechanics in their titles Temple Stacks and Lucky Neko Gigablox.