The old “one-armed bandit” slot machines have been a staple of casinos and gambling establishments for well over a century. When most people think of casinos, they tend to think of slot machines as one of the most iconic types of gaming, right up there with Blackjack. Modern slot machines have evolved significantly from their old-fashioned mechanical roots to become high-tech, visually captivating games that you’ll find in casinos all over the world.
These days, you can find two primary types of slot machines: classic slot machines—also called mechanical slot machines, traditional slot machines or reel slots—and video slots. Both types of machines share the core concepts, like spinning reels and chasing winning combinations, but they differ in some core aspects, including design, features and nuances of the gameplay. Understanding the difference between classic slots and video slot machines can help players, especially new ones, choose the experience that ultimately best suits them.
Classic Slot Machines: Children of the (18)90s
The very first slot machine, the Liberty Bell, was invented by mechanical engineer Charles Fey in 1895. It featured three mechanical reels and five symbols: horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts and the cracked Liberty Bell. This basic design set the standard for classic slots, and in terms of function, modern reel slots still remain fundamentally based on Fey’s design 130 years ago.
Classic slot machines have fairly straightforward gameplay: You pull the arm and hope to match the symbols. Most classic slot machines have three reels, a limited number of paylines—typically one to five—and simple match-the-symbol mechanics. They usually share common symbols, like cherries, bars, bells (a nod to Fey’s original design) and lucky number 7.
When you think of slot machines, this is likely what you think of first: a row of slots with players seated in front, and every so often, there’s a shower of coins as one of the players wins. There’s a nostalgia factor to classic slot machines that can’t be beat, and those who enjoy a more traditional gaming experience have a fondness for these slots for a reason.
The Video Slot Machine Evolution
As video technology and computers improved through the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s (the 1990s this time), so too did slot machines. Modern video slot machines are wholly digital, and that doesn’t just apply to their screens but to the gameplay too. Video slot machines offer much more advanced gaming experiences, leading to their increasing popularity in both physical and online casinos.
One of the most striking gameplay differences between classic and video slot machines is the number of reels and paylines. Video slots commonly feature at least five reels—and often more, sorather than a set, limited number of paylines, they can offer hundreds or even thousands of ways to win.
One popular kind of video slot machine uses a Megaways structure, which modifies the reels on every spin and can create extra types of gameplay. For instance, you could have a video slot machine that turns the slot into a sort of “Candy Crush” match-style game where existing symbols match and fall down, letting more symbols fall from above.
Visual Differences Between Classic and Video Slot Machines
The visual differences between these two types of slot machines are some of the most obvious and readily noticeable discrepancies. For one, video slots have digital screens (older ones might still have analog screens, but those are significantly less common these days), while classic reel slots have physical reels.
Beyond that, though, is the design aesthetic. Whereas old-fashioned classic slots tend to have a more mechanical feel to their bells and whistles, they’re typically fairly clean and straightforward in terms of style. Video slots, on the other hand, can create visually stunning experiences.
These slot machines can reflect themes, like exploring an ancient temple deep in the jungle, through visual style and animations much more than a classic slot machine can.
Gameplay and Features Differences
As previously mentioned, traditional slot machines are functionally unchanged in many ways from the times of Charles Fey. You pull the arm, the slots spin and if the symbols match, you get showered in coins.
These games are beautiful in their simplicity but have limited bonus features. Occasionally you’ll find small extra multipliers or an extra payline or two, but for the most part, classic slot machines are simple spin-and-win.
Payout structures are simple, too. There are much lower bet limits (like the good old-fashioned quarter) and simpler pay structures. The jackpots are usually fixed, with set payouts for specific winning combinations. You usually can’t choose to bet more or less than the machine will allow.
Video slots, however, can have a wide range of bonus features, like:
- Free spins
- Expanding wilds
- Cascading reels
- Varying multipliers
They also can have mini games or bonus rounds, and many even feature themed storylines that progress as players unlock new levels.
Video slots can have different payout and betting structures, too. Video slots, compared to classic slots, often have flexible betting options. For instance, you could let players wager across multiple paylines or use cluster bets (also called cluster pays), where a group of like symbols clustered together could win even if it isn’t a full row.
There could be progressive jackpots, where a portion of every bet contributes to a continuously growing prize pool, eventually reaching potentially larger and larger sums. Slots with progressive jackpots could be connected to other machines in the casino or even in other casinos, increasing potential winnings further.
Availability
Video slots and classic slots are both widely available in brick-and-mortar casinos, but video slots have skyrocketed as online gaming has taken off. It’s hard to put a coin in a machine and pull a physical arm over the internet, after all.
The accessibility of video slots has contributed to their growing popularity. Many come with free-play modes that let players test out the game without wagering (or winning) real money.
Some players may prefer nostalgic, simple and straightforward gambling like you’ll find on a classic reel slot machine. There’s an undeniably old-school charm about them, and if you want to just spin the reels without distractions, they’re for you. On the other hand, video slots cater to players who enjoy more advanced gameplay, more ways to win, exciting bonus features and more.
Either way, if you’re looking for great slot machines of every denomination and more near San Diego, come visit Valley View Casino & Hotel. We’re certain you’ll find your favorite type of slot machine here!
