Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Casino Slots Games

Slots games have actually existed for far longer than many readers realise. While their mechanics may have evolved over the years, the principle remains the same. Make a deposit, try your luck, and hope to walk away with a tidy sum of money. This is the very same reason why online portals such as Stake place such an emphasis on providing the latest slots titles.

Before moving on to highlight some of the most popular contemporary games, it is a good idea to discuss the origins of slots, the basic principles, and how to play. Readers can then better appreciate why these timeless classics are here to stay.

A Seemingly Simple Concept

Although experts still debate the exact origins of slots, most feel that these games can be traced back to the early 19th century. A company headquartered in New York named Sittman and Pitt was trying to invent a new form of entertainment that could be enjoyed by the public. They eventually created a rudimentary form of slots consisting of five drums, and a total of 50 standard playing cards. The main intention was to create a winning poker suite.

While popular, another inventor named Charles Augustus Fey saw room for improvement. He noted that the Sittman and Pitt version was not truly random. He also (rightfully) felt that players would first have to possess an innate knowledge of poker rules to participate. Key decided to simplify the process by creating a three-reel machine that was fully automated. Images of cards were replaced by other symbols such as spades, horseshoes, diamonds, and liberty bells. This is why his version was often referred to as "Liberty Bell" slots.

During this time, another individual named Herbert Mills capitalised on the same concept. The only major difference was that his version used fruit symbols. This proved to be immensely popular, and some regions of the world (particularly the United Kingdom) still refer to slots as "fruits games" to this very day. 

Automation and Digitalisation

Interestingly enough, the fundamental mechanics of slots would remain the same for decades. Their simple design enabled the machines to resonate with an extremely wide audience, and slot machines could be found in many locations besides casinos. However, things began to change in the 1960s thanks to technological advancements; the electrical transistor in particular. Electromechanical slots soon appeared in high-end casinos; most historians noting a version known as "Money Honey" as the first true iteration of a fully automated interface. Video slots soon followed in the 1970s, although these were still extremely crude when compared to today's versions.

The next real breakthrough came in the late 1990s and the early 2000s thanks to the rise of the online gaming community. Advanced software algorithms allowed developers to create a nearly endless selection of titles. Not only did this help them reach a truly global audience, but different themes could be designed around the target demographic in question.

This revolution is also important for another very practical reason. Mechanical slots games could be physically manipulated (either by the owner of the unit, or the player). In other words, there were times when payouts were not fair. Digital technology eliminated this understandable concern. Modern slots employ RNG (Random Number Generator) technology. As the term suggests, these programs ensure that all outcomes are unpredictable, and entirely random. Users can now enjoy a level playing field, and rest assured in the knowledge that the games do not have an unfair advantage (although the house always enjoys a slight edge). 

How do Slot Games Work? Principles and Basic Strategy

Slots are unique in the fact that the vast majority do not require any previous experience. Users will place a wager, and spin the associated reels (normally between three and five columns). The intention is to align a specific set of symbols to form a winning combination. In general, wins will come in the following formats:

• Cash 
• Free spins
• Access to additional features (such as a bonus round)
  Note that the symbols themselves will vary between games; often reflecting different themes. Examples include "book of" slots that contain mythological images, jewels, playing cards, fruits (still extremely popular), or even film characters.
  
  A final point to mention involves the use of multipliers. These are often used to boost one's earnings during any given round. For instance, a 10X multiplier will increase a wager by ten times. There are likewise times when a specific combination of multiplier symbols can trigger a jackpot, or activate a hidden round.
  
  As we can see, there is no single "formula" that can be used to define modern slots games. The experience varies between titles, and this is what makes them so much fun. Players can also make a determination based on factors such as the maximum payout, the minimum wager, or the volatility (how often payouts are triggered, and their size). The good news is that there are now countless slot games available online thanks to the massive collections offered by reputable casinos such as Stake.
  
  Now that we have obtained a basic understanding of slots, and how they work, it is a good idea to discuss some of the most popular titles, and what features make each option so unique. You can then make an informed decision at the right time to appreciate all that these clever games have in store. 

Million X

Titan Gaming’s title features a 5x5 grid with 15 paylines, scatter symbols, free spins, and random multipliers. The jackpot can reach 1 million times the wager.

Wanted Dead or a Wild

Hacksaw Gaming’s Wild West-themed slot includes 100X base multipliers, sticky wilds, a 5x5 grid, and jackpots up to 12,500X.

Le Bandit

A cartoon-themed slot from Hacksaw Gaming with a 6x5 grid. It offers payouts up to 10,000X and a 96.34% RTP.

Zeus Versus Hades: Gods of War

Pragmatic Play combines mythology with ten paylines, expanding symbols, adjustable volatility, and payouts up to 15,000X. 

Joker's Jewels

A classic layout with five paylines, simple gameplay, and payouts slightly above 1,000X, ideal for players with smaller bankrolls. 

Army of Ares

Mythology-based slot with wild symbols, multipliers up to 100X, free spins, and three bonus rounds. Maximum payout reaches 15,000X.

Duel at Dawn

Hacksaw Gaming’s Wild West slot offers 19 paylines, jackpots up to 15,000X, a 5x5 grid, and bonus buy options. Wagers start at just 0.10 cents.

Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000

Pragmatic Play’s festive slot features adjustable volatility, Zeus-themed graphics, and payouts up to 15,000X, with a 95% RTP.

Candy Rush

Bright, colorful, and inspired by Candy Crush. Six-by-five grid, cluster pays, payouts up to 5,000X, 97.42% RTP, and high volatility.

Only a Handful of Examples

These are some of the slots titles that can be found at Stake.com. There are literally hundreds of different options to consider. So, how can you make the best decision? Try to answer these questions:

• What themes do you enjoy the most?
• Which games suit your unique playing style?
• Are you attracted to a specific software developer?
• What is your ideal return-to-player percentage?
  
  The goods news is that players can also perform additional online research if they wish to learn more about the titles mentioned above. Whether you have been an online casino fan for years, or you are new to the concept of virtual gaming, there is little doubt that slots will keep you on the edge of your seat.