Slot Machine Classifications

Slots are divided into several types of gambling machines that you are most likely to encounter.
These slot categories are divided as follows:

• By gameplay (classic, video, progressive)

• By location of playing
• By denomination they accept
• By number of reels and pay lines
• By class
• By percentage of payback
However, the most important differentiation type is division according to their gameplay – to
classic, video, and progressive slots. We will get to that in a bit, so sit back and relax, and let us
guide you through all these types of slot machines.
Now, let us begin with classic slot machines – the machines designed after the ones that first
appeared in land-based casinos, and mostly featured just 3 reels and 1 pay line. In case you are a
newbie, slot machines will be ideal for you to learn the ropes and get the hang of slot play,
without being distracted by detailed art, and high-quality visual and audio effects.
Although these old-school slots are perfect for beginners, there are many experienced players
who prefer the simplicity in classic slot machines and therefore enjoy them as well. The thing is
classic slot machines give gamers a bit of nostalgia and, because of the minimalism and limited
betting options, allow players to stick to their gambling budget.
Video slot machines are easily noticeable, because of their graphical reels used on a
computerized display. As there are no mechanical constraints on their design, video slots often
feature 5 reels, where there may also be non-standard layouts present.
Video technology empowered the beginning of free spin rounds, bonus features, and progressive
slots, turning these kinds of games into huge money makers. Based on movies, TV shows, comic
books, or cartoon characters, video slots are played at your own pace without any specific skills
needed.
Video slots usually feature stunning graphics, hundreds or even thousands of pay lines and a
wide variety of winning combos, combining the classic gameplay with an innovative game
design. To play them all you got to do is read the rules to see which special symbols trigger
which bonus rounds.
Imagine regular slot features and game options combined with a 3-dimensional storyline. You
will get 3D slot games and an unforgettable iGaming experience! As game developers are
constantly pushing boundaries in terms of creativity, it is no wonder they produced 3D slot
machine graphics making these kinds of releases even more interesting.
Each time you as a player place a bet on one of progressive slots, there is a small percentage of
their coin that contributes to increasing the top prize. Here is how it all works - the jackpots
on progressives start at a certain amount, then they continue to rise until some lucky player
finally hits the required winning combo. Naturally, the more the game is played, the higher the
jackpot amount will climb. Once the jackpot is hit, the game resets to that starting jackpot
amount which begins to increase again.
While doing your slot-machine-types research you have encountered the term “flat tops,” so let
us find out what these are. Namely, slot machines that have a fixed top jackpot are known as
“flat tops.” In other words, no matter how many people play them, the highest jackpot will not go
above a certain amount. These machines do not offer million-dollar worth jackpots, but the odds
of hitting one are better.
Now, another slot categorization is made in accordance with their location - either they are land-
based or online. Slot machines that can be played physically are in real world casinos, but they
can also be found at hotel lobbies, at the airports or elsewhere. Online slot machines, on the other
hand, can be played from the comfort of your homes by simply joining casino websites.
Slot machines can also be classified according to the denomination they accept. In the USA, for
example, slot machines most common denominations include pennies ($0.01), nickels ($0.05),
quarters ($0.25), dollars ($1) and high limits ($5, $10, etc.) that can be placed in a single bet.
Yet another slot machine division is by the number of reels and pay lines. It is quite simple - old-
school slot machines have 3 reels, and more advanced slots feature 5 reels or more.
Traditional slot machines feature 1 pay line which goes across the center of the 3 reels, meaning
that if three identical symbols land on the one line, it is a winning combo. Newer slots, however,
have multiple play lines on 5 reels. There are the machines that have 3 pay lines, 5 pay lines, 25
pay lines and so on; some come with 243 or even 1024 ways to win. So, if a player hits any
winning combination in the right order (in most cases it is from left to right on the screen), the
machine pays out.
In the USA, many jurisdictions place slot games into 2 two distinct categories – Class II and
Class III casino slot machines.
Usually, Class II machines can be found in smaller inland casinos, in popular gambling
destinations like Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and many others. The thing is, when you play Class II
slots, you do not play against the house - you play against other gamblers in the race for a
jackpot, as these machines work like lottery games. All machines are connected to the same
computer server and the outcome of the game depends on the results of other players.
On the other hand, when you spin the reels of Class III machines, anything can happen - each
spin is independent, and you play against the house. These machines are usually placed at large
casino establishments and are also known as “Vegas-style” slots.
Another classification of slot machine is by their payout frequency. Namely, slots that come with
a high payback percentage (usually considered to be 95% or more) are known as “loose,” while
“tight” machines are the ones that are less likely to offer significant wins but come with a payout
rate that’s better than loose machines.
Finally, slot machines can be sorted out according to players’ interaction. Particularly used in the
UK, there are two terms describing this category: Amusement with prize (AWP) and Skill with
prize (SWP) machines. To be more specific, AWP machines do not depend on the player’s
skill, whereas SWP slot machines are entirely skill-based games.
Slots come in different shapes and forms, packed in several types of machines. We saw them
evolve from 3 to 7 reels, with an increasing number of pay lines in terms of their development.
While you play, you can place bets using all distinct kinds of denominations which also make an
impact on the potential payout.
There are all sorts and types of slot machines for you to try out - classic slots, video slots, or
progressive slot machines – but before you do, it is important to learn how they work, and the
rest is up to your lucky stars.

Work Cited: Type of Slot Machines (2020) | Types of Gambling Machines - AskGamblers