In online and land-based casinos, slots are the most played game. A wide variety of titles is available to attract players, and they feature colorful images, compelling sounds, engaging mini-games, and bonus features.
The simple slots paylines have evolved by introducing bonus features and different types of reels in slots.
Slots paylines were originally horizontal lines that players used to look for match symbols. However, they are just one way a slot can be different from its peers.
The online slot has been around for decades, and the paylines have seen their share of advancements and changes. We take a closer look at the evolution of slots paylines and reveal what modern players can expect from them.
The History of the First Slot Machine
Charles Fey, a mechanic, created the first mechanical slot machine. It was made sometime between 1885 and 1897. This machine had four icons that were arranged on three reels.
It was also known as the Liberty Bell. Players needed to match three bells to get the highest payout of around ten nickels. Fey invented this slot machine to keep his customers happy while their cars were being repaired.
Poker Gambling Machine
The first poker gambling machine was invented by Sittman & Pitt in 1891. The machine was similar to Fey’s in that players were required to make poker hands to get prizes such as cigars or drinks.
Electromechanical Slot Machines
This machine was manufactured by Bally Machines in 1964 and was known as the Money Honey. This was a significant improvement over what was available at the time. It used electronics instead of springs and featured flashing lights, sounds, and the ability to bet on multiple coins.
Video slots
In the 1970s, video slots were invented. They featured a large screen that allowed players to spoil their eyes! Walt Fraley created the Fortune Coin, which was the first video slot.
More Paylines Than You Can Count
It was not uncommon to see one fixed payline on slots when they first appeared, and this was the norm until the 21st Century, when there were many payline options available online. Players might now be spinning the reels on hundreds, or even thousands, of slots paylines.
Popular video slots have an average of 10-25 paylines. Some games, such as Megaways ™, have over 100,000 slots paylines! Single-payline slots are not the norm, and you’ll find them only in old-style slot machines inspired by classic one-armed bandit slots.
Paylines For All Directions
Slot machines with a fixed number of paylines or a single line were originally only available in horizontal orientation. Most slot machines paid out symbols positioned horizontally from left to right on slots paylines, and this is no longer the case!
Modern slot players will notice that slots paylines run in multiple directions, and they zig-zag up and down the reels.
This allows for more excitement, such as expanding wilds or bonus symbols that fill the reels.
The composition of slot machines
The basic principles of both online and traditional slots machines are the same. Both come with displays that show the paytable, balance, display boxes, bets per line, reels, maximum bets, and a spin/play button/lever.
- Balance- This refers to the number of players’ funds in their casino accounts.
- Paytable- This shows how much players could get on paylines
- Bets per Line- This refers to the amount placed per line during each spin.
- Number of Paylines-This refers to how many paylines a specific slot has
- Maximum Bet-This refers to the number of featured lines multiplied by the amount bet per line
Conclusion
Players might be interested in the number of slots paylines they can expect before they start playing a new slot. You can usually see this information in the description of the slot.
Paylines are just a part of the overall slot’s composition, and they have been improved over time to make them more entertaining and interactive.