In Europe and the UK, fruit machines are the most popular type of casino game in and land-based casino. Otherwise known as slots, online arm bandits or pokies, these slot type games have dominated every land based casino for years on end. When online casinos took over, the classic mechanical slot had to be transformed into something that was equally as fun and entertaining to play. Today with the proliferation of online and mobile casinos, the humble fruit machine has had a digital makeover. At online casinos, players from all over the world can log on and play classic fruit slot games for free or for real money using MasterCard etc. at any time.
Fruit Machine Casino Slots
For most casino fans, the biggest advantage of playing online is being able to access a wide range of casino games in every shape and form. Aside from the regular range of casino table games, all top-rated online casinos offer a wide range of fruit machine and slots for players to choose from. To start off with, there are the classic fruit machines that usually have 3 spinning reels and one or two paylines. These slots are perfectly designed to mimic their land based brethren and are still a firm favourite with slot purists. Players can also find a wide range of Vegas-style slots. These are very similar to fruit slots in that they generally have three reels and can have up to five paylines. Anyone who has visited the casinos of Vegas will instantly recognise the structure and style of these games.
The Evolution of Fruit Machines
In addition to the classic fruit machines, players can access a whole range of modern slot games that have been upgraded to be more entertaining and interactive. Modern slot games can have anywhere from three to five reels and as many as fifty paylines. Some slots have developed their own winning combinations structure with over 243 ways to win. Modern slot games differ from the classic fruit machines in that they have a number of bonus features added to the game. One of the main bonus features comes in the form of a wild symbol. Wild symbols act as substitutes and can be used to substitute for any of the other symbols in order to achieve a winning combination. In addition to wild symbols, many games have scatter symbols which act as multipliers and pay out in any positon on the reels.
Modern Slot Games
The modern slot game has taken the basic structure of fruit machines and transformed them into a multi-sensory experience. Today the modern slot game comes packed with outstanding graphics, video animation and sound effects. Each game has a theme, some themes are stronger than others with bonuses and reel symbols all relating to the game and its theme. Many of the games have bonus round that can be triggered by landing certain bonus symbols on the reels. Most bonus rounds are interactive and are designed to give players more of a hands-on experience while giving players a chance to win some serious cash.