|
Online Slots
Slot machines (or Fruit Machines as they are more commonly known in the UK) are a familiar sight in pubs and clubs where gambling is permitted across the globe and can rightly claim the crown as the most popular gambling method to be found in casinos. (Research into gamblers’ habits has shown that over two thirds of an average casino’s income is derived from its Online Slots!) Slots strategy is good to know!
Although the machines to be found in real-world venues and replicated in online casinos are wonders of hi-tech computer control, the origins of these modern consoles stretches back to 1887 when Charles Fey debuted the first gaming machine recognizable as a three reel ‘Slot’ in San Francisco. Although things have come a long way since then, one thing that has been carried over from these early purely mechanical machines is their less-than-flattering nickname – ‘One Armed Bandits’ - earned because of the traditional appearance of machines with their single spin lever and the apparent ease with which they could empty a gamer’s pockets!
The main types of slot games are as follows: Video slots, 3 Reel slots commonly known as fruit machines, Progressive jackpot slots and Megaspin slots.
Thankfully the ‘bandit’ element of Slots is more perception than reality, as Slot machines in licensed venues must payout a certain minimum percentage established by law in the jurisdiction under which they are operating. For example, the minimum payout percentage in the US jurisdictions of Nevada and New Jersey is 75 percent and 83 percent respectively. In practice many reputable land-based casinos programme their Slots to pay out at rates between 82 and 98 percent, and with competition so keen online you’ll find Internet casinos usually have extremely attractive payout rates, endorsed by independent auditors.
Progressive Slots
Lots of online casinos offer ‘Progressive Jackpots’ amongst their selections of online Slots games, and these are a popular draw for many players because of the substantial cash prizes they can offer. The most popular progressive slot online is called Mega Moolah Slot, where you have the chance to win over $2MILLION!!
The games are played no differently to other Slots, however they don’t have a fixed payout for the top payout. The progressive jackpot is started from a specified level by the casino (somewhere between £1000 and £50,000 is usual, depending on the minimum cost bet on the machine) and grows with every spin of the machine that fails to win it. This accumulation at the most popular online casinos can be very rapid indeed and lead to some serious seven-figure jackpots. You’ll often see ‘taxi-meter’ style displays on the home pages of online casinos that make a feature of their progressive jackpot games, which constantly update to show the current jackpot headlines. If you find the current potential prize on a ‘meter’ is irresistibly huge, you should also find a link near it to get you straight to the Slot in question and make your play for that tasty jackpot!
Once a Slot’s progressive jackpot has been successfully claimed, that machine reverts to its original starting prize and the jackpot begins to build again. |
|
