Slot machines have been around since  VT999 the 1800s, and were originally installed in casinos and saloons for use by those without enough playing knowledge to tackle the craps, blackjack, or daunting poker tables.

Nowadays, slot machines are still being used the world over, although online video poker machines, or virtual video poker machines, are demonstrating to be an ever-growing internet hit.

Here are a few items of information for knowledgeable playing:

Payline

In first production, slot machines contained a series of drums, which turned around a primary cog at varying rates of speed. The drums would slow down till come to a cease, and earnings were decided by the ‘payline’.

This payline is still being used today but has been transformed into video reels, and has increased from a single horizontally line, to a series of multiple horizontally and diagonal lines which provide various mixtures of bets tactics and payoffs.

Modern paylines are able to produce over 50 mixtures of results from a single spin.

Pay Table

A pay table shows you what the winning mixtures are, how much their bet will get, and the power structure of the hands. Traditionally, the pay table would be printed onto the head of the machine for easy reference. These days the pay table is generally available at the push of a button, especially on online or computerized video poker machines.

Random Number Generator

Today’s modern slot machines pick the next combination with the use of a random number generator. The number generator runs whether the game is in use or not, and generates thousands of variations every few seconds.

Near Miss Programming

You might have heard some people referring to a machine as ‘hot’ or ‘spending’, by this they mean that you on the machine is on a winning skills. Although winnings do go up and down, the random number generator keeps the equipment from either having to pay constantly, or not having to pay at all.

Near miss programming is the process of establishing a series of low-winning mixtures, and then running them at a certain time. For instance, you might be on an upward skills and hit one number short of the jackpot prize. You may also hit a high-winning combination, but only while bets the minimum credit.

Legal aspects

Even though the programming in the modern slot machines can be edited and altered, there are laws in most countries to keep casino owners from short changing the naive player. The winnings must be within certain guidelines depending on the government. For example, Nj has a legal limit of 83% while Nevada has a better percentage for players at 75%. These figures are usually between 82 and 98%.
These rates cannot be altered to suit the casino’s busier or quieter hours.

Credit Meter

Represents how many credits you has available in the equipment.

Rollup

The lights and alarms which resound during a winning spin is called a Rollup. It was originally used while the machine measured out the money to push out a, but as today’s machines are quicker Rollups are kept purely for tradition welfare.

Tilt

Tilt alarms were built in slot machines to deter players from vandalizing machines in order to either win the roll or access to the money storage. The tilt system is still being used by a lot of coin managed machines such as pinball machines and vending machines.

Signature Video poker machines

The casino’s internal model of slot machines, or casino branded slot machines.

Higher and Lower Denomination Machines

Most casinos, physical or online, will have different types of machines. Not only are these differentiated by the machine themes, but the game style, pay table and the minimum credit.

It is known that higher denomination machines do have a higher payout percentage than lower denomination machines, but you require take into consideration the rate at which one gambles; both time wise and financially.