Introduction to Video Slots

Today, video slots are by far the most common form of slot machine at live casinos. In addition, all online slots machines are, by definition, video slots. This means that video slots are now the primary way in which casino patrons play slot machines. The reliability, flexibility and increased interaction afforded by video slots means that this trend is unlikely to reverse itself, especially as video slots continue to become more advanced in the coming years.

What is a Video Slot?

A video slot is any slot machine that exists entirely within a graphical interface, rather than using mechanical reels and physical symbols. This means that there are no mechanical parts at all on a video slot, which also means there are no limitations on what a video slot machine can offer.

Video slots can have a variety of different features. Some video slots are very simple; they may be based on mechanical slots, and may just simulate three spinning reels with symbols that offer normal payouts. Others have numerous bonus games, multiple paylines, and even second screens, all things that would be impossible with a standard mechanical slot machine.

History of Video Slots

Video slots were first introduced in the 1970s, and were first introduced to Las Vegas casinos in 1978. These original video slots were essentially automated versions of mechanical slots; there weren’t special bonus rounds, and the games were basically designed as novelties that would emulate the action of a standard slot machine. There were some basic sound effects, and occasionally a few animations, but for the most part, these video slots were more or less remakes of similar mechanical games.

While video slots slowly improved over the next two decades, the real breakthrough came in the late 1990s. At that time, games began to be developed featuring “second screen” bonus options, which began to show how operators and developers could take full advantage of the power of the video slot. In a second screen bonus, players would “leave” the reels for a second interface where a bonus round took place. These bonus rounds allowed players the opportunity to win large prizes while also enjoying some more variety in gameplay than most slots could offer.

This development also coincided with the beginnings of the online casino market. As online casinos and brick-and-mortar casinos both continued looking for games that would be more engaging and fun for their players – after all, a fun game is one that would keep players at the machine longer – additional features were added to video slots. Games began to offer not online bonus rounds and free spins, but also video clips and complex animations.

Today, many video slots offer what can only be called a cinematic experience. These games offer sound, music, graphics and video to create an incredibly immersive game for players to enjoy. Many video slots include licenses from popular games, movies, comics or television shows in order to appeal to fans of those properties as well, adding another dimension to the action on these slots.

Video Slots vs. Mechanical Slots

Video slots offer numerous advantages over the older-style mechanical slots, which helps to explain why they have far outstripped mechanical games in popularity at live casinos. A few of those advantages are as follows:

• Reliability: Mechanical slots are filled with moving parts. If any of these parts breaks down or malfunctions, the slot becomes unusable and must be repaired. In contrast, a video slot doesn’t use physical reels, and thus is less likely to fail during use. This also accounts for while mechanical slots overwhelmingly feature three reels, while video slots frequently use five reels.
• Multiple Betting Options: On a mechanical slot, a player must insert coins to play at the denomination set on that machine. On a video slot, players typically have many more options for how to play the game. On almost all video slot machines, players have the choice to play multiple paylines, giving them more chances to win (with the corresponding extra cost). Players can also often change the denomination of a video slot, meaning the same machine can be a penny, nickel, quarter and dollar slot at the same time. On a mechanical slot, players can usually only play one line, though they may be able to choose the number of coins to play for.
• Bigger Jackpots: While operators have become very clever in coming up with ways to offer large prizes on mechanical slot machines, video slots offer even more flexibility in determining the exact odds of hitting each combination on the reels. This means that they can make it incredibly unlikely for players to hit certain combinations of symbols. When it comes to providing huge jackpots, this is actually a great thing for players; it allows the casino to offer jackpots that were unthinkable in the time of mechanical slot machines.
• Bonus Rounds: It’s nearly impossible to offer a bonus round in a mechanical slot, with the possible exception of giving players a free spin or two. On the other hand, a video slot machine has no limits here; these machines can have special features on the reels, or on a second screen, depending on what the developers wish to program into the machines.