THE RISE OF THE SLOT MACHINE

 

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Slot machines were once an outcast on the casino showroom floor. They were an afterthought for the big boys, where poker and roulette were the premiere events; they ruled supreme. That was until they were discovered to be the perfect money making machines, perfect for lulling people into an unthinking flow state that has them putting in one coin after another.

How did it come to this? How did this relatively simple device revolutionize not just the casino, but bars, restaurants, and rest stops the world over? How have they even carved a niche in online gambling? Let’s delve in for a deeper look at just what happened to make the slot machine the king of the gambling world.

History in the Making

One has to go back to turn of the century in 1898 when Charles Fey designed the Liberty Bell machine as the first three reel, coin payout machine. Each time, a player had a one thousandth chance of hitting the jackpot of $0.50, which was worth a lot more back then than it is now. Table games ruled the roast, though; even though they were a small, niche hit with wives of players who were busy with poker, they were relegated to corners.

That all changed with the introduction of the electromechanical slot machine which crucially let players insert more than a single coin on individual bets. What this meant was that there were greater risks, and greater rewards. Any time that risk can be escalated for the player, that usually means greater wins for house. Multi-line play was a scientific innovation for the gambling industry, indeed. It meant that there was a great chance of winning than the one in a thousand chance from the earlier prototypes, which had the effect of encouraging more gambling.

Entering the Digital Realm

Video slot machines that operated on random number game algorithms were the natural successor to the electromechanical slot machines, and now they have taken over the world. They are ubiquitous on people’s cell phones and computers on sites like mobile casino 200% casino roller, in the bathrooms of hotels, and even thousands of feet in the air on planes. They exploded in popularity as they were determined to be complete cash cows to the point that they are at today: total ubiquity.

The machines did not operate on elaborate schemes of gears and levers, but the basic idea was essentially the same. Yet, the question remains: how random actually are the numbers, and what are the odds of the player making off with winnings? According to the recent reports from reputable resources from December of 2012, there was an average win rate of 6.58%, which increases to 10.77% for bets of one cent, and decreases to 4.73% for bets of $100. While these statistics for win rates that are available to the public, the programmed chances of winning are a company secret and not disclosed publicly, thus keeping the player in the dark.

The ‘Zone’

This is unique. In other casino games, if someone is savvy enough in statistics, a few simple,calculations can tell them how to play the odds depending on the context. This allows developers to maintain their advantage and keep on earning hand over fist. Meanwhile, players remain in a zone, a hyper-focused, numb state where they zone out from everything else in a pleasant buzz. It creates addictive behavior patterns on the part of the players, and it is the single biggest reason for the success of the slot machine.

No doubt about it, slot machines are a fixture in the gambling world, and will continue to grow in ubiquity and profitability.

The Rise Of The Modern Slot Machine!

Slot machines didn’t just appear out of thin air! They started out in the late 1800s and developed into the modern day games that we now know and love today. We’ve decided to take a look at the history of the machines to see just what happened and how they got to where they are now.

Founders

Way back in the 19th century the first ever mechanical slot machine was invented by car mechanic and entrepreneur Charles Fey — The Liberty Bell!

The ground-breaking slot has three spinning reels — a spin that landed three bells gave the largest pay-out, which was at the time 50 cents. Not only did he invent the slot machine, he invented the draw poker machine and trade check separator as well! Fey rented the machines out to saloons and bars based on a 50/50 split of the profits.

Demand For The Slot Machine Grows

Once people caught on to the new invention, demand started to grow dramatically! Unfortunately, Charles couldn’t keep up with the demand, struggling to manufacture in his small shop. Gambling supply manufacturers tried to buy the manufacturing and distribution rights, but Fey refused to sell up.

In 1907, Herbert Mills started to manufacture a knock off version of The Liberty Bell. He was the first person to include the fruit icons into the machines.

How The Original Slots Worked?

The original slot machines were made out of cast iron and had three metal hoops called reels. Each one of the reels had ten symbols painted on them. The lever was then pulled to spin the wheels. When the reels stopped spinning, a prize was rewarded, but only if three of the same symbol were on the reels. The pay off in coinage was then dispensed from the machine.

Age Of Electronics

The first popular electronic gambling machine was the 1934 animated horse racing machine. Moving into the 60s the first ever all-electronic gambling machine was made and distributed. Then, in 1975, the first electronic slot machine was built.

Cyber Slots

With the invention of the internet and fast, powerful computers allowed the development of the slot machine. These developments lead to the slots with bonus games in the 1990s and the online slots we see today. With these online slots the casinos can reach a wider base of slot players online. The only limitation to these new online slots is the developers’ imaginations. The software producers of these new modern slot games are constantly pushing the boundaries to produce the most exciting, fun and original slot machines.

The Rise Of The Online Slots

Themed Slots

With the slot machines popularity hitting its highest in the nineties, casinos tried to find a way to refresh the popular games. Many sites reasoned that fresh themes would spark new interest among-st players, which it did. Adventure and pop culture themes became most popular, and paved the way for the development of video slots.

Video Slots

Like any other game, slot machines have been brought into the 21st century by using the latest technology to make slots less standard and more of a playable experience. With smart phone usage rife among st all ages, graphics are no longer difficult to achieve, so the demand is at an all-time high for slots and what are often labelled “super slots”. It is no wonder that sites only remotely connected with traditional gambling are operating video slot machines in a host of different ways. While countries with a traditionally high level of slot activity, such as the United States and Australia, have seen this activity boosted further.

Game-play

While slot machines have rarely required much skill, they have always had the allure of big jackpots. As times have changed and the everyday person has had more access to games and tutorials, more players have moved away from luck-based games and opted for table games more recognized for their skill – until now. The demand for increased play-ability has seen casinos increase investment in the development of its slot games, to the degree that some games can now feature joysticks or tough pads. Using extra skill responses to the traditional slot format, it has helped  develop the game into something it has always promised to be – a satisfying gaming experience that also promises an opportunity to win high jackpots.슬롯머신사이트