Slot machines are the most popular games available. Known in Great Britain as a one-arm bandit or fruit machine and in Australia as a “pokie”, the first slot machines in the modern sense were simplified by Charles August Fey around 1895 and have undergone a gradual evolution ever since.
Symbols traditionally used numbers (7 is a favourite), various fruits like cherries, plums, oranges, bananas, strawberries and watermelons, the words jackpot and bar, and card suits. These “nickel-in-the-slot” machines were initially used as automatic vending machines. In the 1880s, the first devices in the United States were actually novelties, for example, two toy horses racing each other after money was inserted. Britannica Encyclopedia details the popularity of Fey’s Liberty Bell machine and the history of the early mechanical machines.
Currently, designers are using basic psychology to develop new machines and apps, and are trying to understand the link between the anticipation of and the rate of a reward. They are also trying to appeal to slot players in terms of the theme of the game. This is why you will notice many of the games have Ancient Egyptian or Luck of the Irish themes. Gems are also a big hit amongst slot players as are jungle animal themes.
There are widespread schemes swearing to be able to win using some “system”. However, the computerized slot machines of today are completely unpredictable. A random number generator (RNG) produces new numbers at a rate of hundreds or even thousands per second to keep sequences arbitrary. That newly generated number determines when the virtual reels should stop and this cannot be predicted.
Slot machines do not get hot or cold, either. You can look back to confirm a “hot” or “cold” machine, but there is no way to predict a future outcome. So, winning at slots should not be about walking away with a heavy pockets; it is more about having fun while you play.
The prospect of tax revenue for government and major profits for businesses, averaging 30 to 50 percent of total revenue, show why slots are important from a business perspective. On the other hand, why do people play slots? A 2012 study co-authored by Sandy Chen of Oregon State University-Cascades finds that players do not fit the stereotype of an uneducated retiree sitting in front of a machine burning through their pension.
The study identifies the “Utilitarian” player, who is a senior looking to get out of the house to relieve boredom. The “Excitement” player is the thrill seeker who wants frequent opportunities for winning and likes having a good time. The “Multipurpose” player, Chen says, is younger, motivated by the simultaneous urges to have fun and win money and is less financially stable than the other types. The highly-educated, wealthier player, the “Relaxation” gamer, sees the opportunity for socialization and fun in order to relieve day-to-day stress.
There is an ongoing debate as to whether online slots to play are better than going to a brick-and-mortar operation. Online is viewed as convenient because no costly commute is involved. In addition, you can start out without using real money until you build confidence. The variety of games too, is not confined to any space limitations. The bonuses offered add to the draw of that option. When you play online, you can receive a slot bonus just for registering at an online casino. Make a deposit and receive another match deposit bonus. Some casinos even offer second and third match deposit bonuses to kick start your online slot play. Ongoing rewards are offered for loyal online slot customers.
The odds online are typically 95% to 98%, while the odds at a brick-and-mortar operation are about 70% – 80%. This makes online slots quite an attractive prospect to the enthusiastic gamer.
There have also been some new innovations in online slot play including VR (Virtual Reality) slots. Players can immerse themselves in the world of the game by putting on a pair of VR goggles.
This kind of immersive experience heightens the entertainment value of playing slots. Virtual reality is a technology that’s been talked about as the next frontier of online gambling for years now and plenty of online casinos are introducing the technology for slot players to enjoy.
