One-armed bandits - how did they appear and where to play? One-armed bandits.

Many gamblers have probably come across such a slot machine name as “one-armed bandit”. What is it and where did this name come from?

The history of the slang name

The name "one-armed bandit" came into use at the time of the appearance of the first land-based gaming slots. One resourceful user noted that slot machines have a special design. In order for the game to start, it was necessary to pull the lever. Outwardly, this lever resembled a human hand.

Everyone knows that slot machines were called “bandits.” And this is not surprising. After all, in this machine you can lose a large number of money. The slot machine is addictive, and if you don’t stop in time, you can lose a fortune. The payout percentage on old mechanical machines was low. Modern slot machines are much more profitable in this regard. In addition, one cannot help but note the appearance of free gaming slots, which you can play on the website ruslots777.com. They bring the same amount of emotion and adrenaline, but it is impossible to lose in them. So you can enjoy your favorite slots as much as you want. The only thing you risk losing in this case is your time. Modern slot machines have excellent graphics and excellent sound. They are just as interesting to play as regular computer games.

The old “one-armed bandits”, unlike modern slots, did not show the player what payout ratio he could expect. That is, a person approached the slot and did not know what to expect, what his chances of winning were. Moreover, the old slots were also quite vulnerable. Even a strong blow to the body could change their performance. Owners of gambling establishments could counterfeit a slot machine so that it brought them constant profit. But users received winnings much less often. For example, there could be an empty cell on the reel; if it fell out, then the person would lose the prize. “Left” symbols were stuck on the reels, which did not pay.

Slot machines have been known to gamblers for a long time, but still not everyone knows why they are called One Armed Bandits. Previously in real casinos one could find very simple slot machines consisting of three reels. Various fruits were usually used as symbols, as well as sevens and the inscription “Bar”. A casino visitor could receive a win if three identical images appeared on the screen on the same line. These slots were called “one-armed bandits” because in order to spin the reels you had to pull the handle. Now gaming machines have moved into virtual space, and great amount modern slots, but despite this, any one-armed bandit is capable of arousing increased interest among gamblers.

Free one-armed bandits are interesting

This section presents all the gaming one-armed bandits for free, and they resemble exactly the machines that were installed in real gambling establishments. The same minimum number of reels and lines, the same familiar fruit images, the same simple rules without any frills. All this attracts conservative gamblers who do not need additional functions of slot machines, who just want to play and enjoy winning. In the section, all one-armed bandits are available for free, so you can play any of them. It must be said that classic slots from modern manufacturers are sometimes supplemented with interesting features. For example, there may be wild symbol or scatter symbol. And this makes the game even more interesting!

Principles of free one-armed bandits

To play one-armed bandits for free, a gambler does not need to register and deposit his own money into the account. This allows you to get rid of unnecessary costs and at the same time gives you the opportunity to plunge into the unique atmosphere of land-based casinos, which offered such machines to visitors. But there was definitely nothing to do there without money, but here on the site any one-armed bandit games are available for free, so every visitor can enjoy the chosen slot. Play for virtual credits and have great fun!

Types of slots

IN currently slots can be divided into two large groups:

mechanical slots- those same “one-armed bandits” often with a handle to start the game, usually have three reels and from one to five paylines. For a long time could equally be launched by a button, but are currently not so popular.
video slots- more modern look slots where the screen is used to display the reels. Video slots can have up to five reels and up to fifty paylines. Thanks to the use computer technology, in such slot machines the player is provided with a wide range of additional features that increase the interest in the game, such as bonus games and bonus rounds, “scatter” symbols, “wild” symbols, etc.

The presence of progressive jackpots plays a big role in choosing a slot machine for a player. Slot machines that have a common accumulative system are called progressive. From online slot machines, a certain percentage is allocated to the prize fund, which constitutes the jackpot. To win the jackpot, a player generally must land the highest combination of symbols at the highest bet.

Description

Slot machines have different numbers of reels and paylines. All buttons on a slot machine have a constant value, although there are exceptions. As a rule, in English, on each button it is written what action will be performed after it is pressed:

Spin- game start button.
Bet- setting the player’s bet at which he is going to play.
x lines- game on X lines.

Modern slot machines usually have 9 (1-3-5-7-9) or 20 (1-5-10-15-20) lines, with the first 10 most often having central symmetry, and the next 10 - axial. It is very rare to find slots with up to 100 playing lines). Sometimes positions on the reel are “acquired” by the player, which in the 5*3 field corresponds to playing from 5 to 243 combinations.

Collect- fixing the game and the player’s deposit for its subsequent withdrawal.
Bet one- game with one bet.
Bet x2- a game with a bet multiplied by two.
Bet x3- a game with a bet multiplied by three.
Bet x5- a game with a bet multiplied by five.

(in modern slot machines there is usually a maximum bet multiplication of x10 or x100.

Bet Max- exhibiting maximum bet, for which the slot machine is designed. In some machines, pressing a button Bet Max spins the reels with the maximum bet.
Last bet- the ability to repeat the previous bet.

Slot machines have special symbols on the machine screen:

Credit- player’s score in conventional units.
Win- a winning combination has appeared.
Paid- total payment.

All slot machines have a payout table for symbols, so the player can always find out what is due to him when certain combinations appear.

To start the game, the player needs to place a bet and spin the reels. If a winning combination appears on the winning line after the reels stop, the winnings are determined according to the winnings table.

Links

Online slots - information on slot machines, database of Internet slots.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Synonyms:

See what “One-armed bandit” is in other dictionaries:

Noun, number of synonyms: 4 machine gun (43) slot machine (4) mechanical gangster ... Synonym dictionary

Publ. Joking. iron. Slot machine. BS, 20; TS of the twentieth century, 72 ... Big dictionary Russian sayings

bandit- a, m. bandit m., floor. bandyt, German Bandit, etc. bandito. 1. Robber, robber in Italy and other European countries. Sl. 18. The bandit tied a girl to a tree. Emin Miram 1763 1 65. Bandits and counterbandits. Jan. 1803.|| Armed robber... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

The history of the one-armed bandits has several significant events. Find out how the name came about, who invented the first slot machine, how slots have developed and changed over more than a hundred years of existence.

The history of modern slot machines begins back in 1883, when American mechanic Charles Fey showed the world the first one-armed bandit - the Liberty Bell. The new device was 3 reels with 5 symbols. And already in 1891, Sitman and Pete invented their own version of a slot machine with 5 reels, where the largest card combination from the game of poker was considered to be the largest.
The “great-grandfathers” of modern slots were launched using a large lever. It was this lever that gave rise to the second unofficial name - the one-armed bandit. And although modern slot machines are equipped with buttons, the old nickname has not disappeared anywhere.
Since then, a lot has happened in the world of slot machines. They were banned, allowed again, films were made about them and even songs were dedicated to them. As a result, games on one-armed bandits even overtook roulette in popularity.

The one-armed bandit (slot, slot machine) is a device that appeared in late XIX century, and in the next century it became a symbol of the gambling world, not inferior in popularity even to the king of gambling entertainment - poker. The rotation of the slot machine reels has become the personification of the risk and unpredictability of Her Majesty Fortune.

Slot machines were originally called “one-armed bandits” due to their design. Instead of the usual buttons today, the device was equipped with a lever located on the side of the body and resembled a hand. And even though such models have practically gone out of use, the name has stuck and is still used as a slang name for the slot.

How did the name “one-armed bandit” come about?

One-armed bandit is an outdated and now slang name for slot machines. Slots received this “nickname” back in the days of the first mechanical machines that appeared in the public domain. “One-handedness” was determined by the design of the device itself. On the side surface of the body there was a lever with a spring, resembling a hand. And since there was only one lever, the slot received the title of “one-armed”. But why - “bandit”?

The first slot machines did not provide any data on theoretical return percentages. In those days, this concept did not exist in principle. The player spun the reels at his own risk, without any information about how successful the game could be. Since winning combinations appeared on the wheels quite rarely, the user had every chance of losing without receiving any compensation. That is why slots are nicknamed bandits - those who can rob you dry.

Online Games

Spinning the reels of the slot machine Fruit Cocktail, the player can independently organize the session in the most convenient way. The action of special symbols, the opportunity to increase winnings in the risk game, bonus rounds and other advantages offered by the slot add exciting dynamism to the gameplay. Even though the machine cannot be called the most spectacular, the possible benefits can attract experienced players and newcomers to the gambling world. How to play the Fruit... slot machine

How to control and win To fully use the capabilities of a gambling one-armed bandit, you need luck and knowledge of all available buttons. The Start button will start the rotation of the reels. The bet, from 2 to 40 per line, is determined in the Bet/Lines cell. Line adjusts the number of paylines for each spin (maximum 25). Paytable opens a window with a list of all winning combinations. To win, you need to make combinations from...

No bonus game, no free spins, no special symbols. Only pure odds and standard winning combinations. The simplest and clear example for newbies. How to play Always Hot online The game Always Hot is one of the oldest representatives of free one-armed bandits. It has only three reels, three rows of symbols and five fixed paylines. All you need to do before you start spinning the reel is...

Free spins, bonus games, special features of special symbols - all this is offered by the one-armed bandit online, winning the interest of the audience, both beginners and experienced gambling fans. How to play Anubix Anubix is a game on five reels with three rows of images, in which there are only 5 fixed active lines. Experienced gamblers can say that such a number of lines significantly reduces the chances of success. But Novomatic in its one...

We place bets on the one-armed bandit. In Aztec Power GreenTube, all 25 lines are active, the number of which cannot be changed. To determine the bet size, use the “+” or “-” buttons located under the Bet / Line inscription. The final bet will be indicated in the Bet window, its maximum value reaches 100 credits. The Start button starts the rotation of the reels. The Aztec Warrior symbol is the highest paying, bringing up to 10,000 credits. Risk game...

One-Armed Bandit Beetle Mania Deluxe Beetle Mania Deluxe offers players an insect theme and can delight with interesting bonuses. In addition to the main game mode, the one-armed bandit mini offers a simple profitable game for doubling and free spins on the reels. In addition, it is possible here free game, suitable for beginners unfamiliar with the specifics of the game. To win you need to collect combinations of symbols that will appear on the reel...

One-Armed Bandit Big Catch Big Catch provides an opportunity to win a large number of demo coins in several modes without difficulty. One-Armed Bandit online provides a free option to play online using demo credits. At the initial stage, each player receives 500 credits. The size of your bet can be adjusted using active prize lines and the bet amount on each of them. Game process Gambling starts...

Rules for entertainment on the one-armed bandit Books The interface of the themed online slot consists of playing field 5x3 with 9 stripes running through it. The player’s task is to collect winning sequences from identical images. Moreover, only those combinations that appear from left to right are considered prize winnings. In order for the combination to form, you need to spin the turntables. Keys to start the slot machine, as well as controls...

Ships, sails, helms, pirates and the Risky Captain himself are waiting for you in this free one-armed bandit. Bonuses, combinations and free spins make the gameplay varied and promise big wins. How to play Captain Venture The game takes place on five reels, in three rows for 10 game lines. The lines on this gaming bandit are not fixed. The user himself selects their active number - from one to all ten. The bets in the game also vary widely...

Features of the one-armed bandit Unlike the usual spins of the reels, in Cash Farm the symbols do not spin, but fall out, as in the usual casual games “three in a row”. Only these same rows in the slot are not only vertical and horizontal. The game provides users with 20 fixed active lines, which means the directions in which combinations are calculated can be very different. Another feature of the game is that after winning...

Description of the slot machine Aloha Cluster Pays Aloha Cluster Pays is a cluster one-armed bandit from the Swedish developer of interfaces for online casinos Net Entertainment (or NetEnt). How this toy differs from others: There are five game reels: Identical symbols can form clusters; There are no working lines as such on the slot machine; the symbols are arranged in five horizontal rows; Autoplay mode; Wild symbol; Possibly...

Description of the Beach slot machine One-armed bandit Beach is the brainchild of the largest developer NetEnt (Net Entertainment, Switzerland). The game is built on the principle of a generator random numbers. You press the start button, and the order of values – “empty” or prize combinations – appears randomly on the slot. Features of the one-armed bandit interface The game has: Five active reels; Twenty fixed working lines; Wild symbol; Unique...

Features of the one-armed bandit from the Celestial Empire The oriental theme of the Asian_Beauty slot is supported by the symbolism of the slot machine, made in the spirit of imperial palaces. Game symbols– rare plates with Chinese scenes, boxes decorated with golden script of Medieval China. Especially in “Asian Beauty” and the fact that there is no function for selecting the number of pay lines, since all 243 combinations take part at the same time...

Slot machine Gold Party from Unicum - forward to the past era! Slot machine Gold Party - a gambling one-armed bandit from the Unicum company, dedicated to the era of the USSR. The seventy-year history of this country is filled with events that are significant for its citizens. The collapse of the Soviet Union caused a lot of regrets and conversations about where the state's wealth disappeared. What did the creators of the apparatus mean by giving it the name “Gold of the Party”: moral or material...

You could spin the reels of these one-armed bandits in land-based gaming halls of Eastern Europe, and also far beyond. Despite the fact that modern slots boast more modern graphics, the Aztec Gold slot from Casino Technology continues to be incredibly popular. How to use the one-armed bandit Aztec Gold All slot machines released in the Megajack line have a standard simple interface. One-armed bandit...

Device interface Big Bad Wolf Bright but unobtrusive colors, funny symbols, thoughtful design - the one-armed bandit device makes a positive impression at first sight. The playing field of the slot is placed against the background of the house of the youngest of the Little Piglets. A thatched dwelling cannot be called reliable, but it evokes a feeling of comfort. A spreading apple tree strewn with fruits, plowed fields, a well-groomed lawn and path - a pleasant, comfortable design of the interface...

Also, users who launch the slot will have 9 adjustable prize lines, 5 reels, a wild symbol in the form of a mask, a card round with a dealer for multiplying prizes, a convenient control panel and simple unobtrusive music. However, the device does not have an automatic spins mode, like many other products from Igrosoft. Game interface slot machine Crazy Monkey The online monkey slot has a simple interface,...

Together with the main character of the game, a lucky bar regular, the user will be able not only to make chains on the playing field. The action of special images and gaming functions invite you to take part in a risk game or in the drawing of the largest bonus by guessing what is under the beer cap. Customize the game for yourself, spin the speakers and get rewards! How to play Lucky Haunter You can play the one-armed bandit for free on many free games...

Description of the gaming machine The Garage virtual slot is completely copied from its land-based “progenitor”, so users will not have any difficulties with the gameplay even if they have never played before online versions favorite games. Most of the screen is occupied by 5 reels with 3 symbols on each. At the top there are windows with information about the total bet, the lines involved in the game and the credits on the player’s account. The bottom of the screen...

Interface and gameplay One-armed bandits- This common name for gaming machines that initially had the rotation trigger lever located on one of the sides of the case. The resemblance to a raised hand gives rise to one part of the name. But the second part, “bandit,” came from the small chance of winning that the first slot machines had. So it turned out that the “one-armed bandit” name is historically correct, but at the present time it is not relevant...

Exciting Sweet Life theme Sweet Life theme will attract adventure lovers. Main character games - clumsy Teddy Bear. During the game, a spoiled plot plays out about a sweet tooth who craves a carefree honey life, and an evil bee that prevents this. The bear spends his days in the forest. Yes, and he will peek out from behind the bushes just to look at the apiary. His thoughts are occupied by the dream of a sweet, carefree life. Every spin gives hope...

One-armed bandit - what is it? One-armed bandit is the name of a mechanical slot machine or slot machine with one lever. The device gives a chance to rip big jackpot, the size of which is many times larger than the initial bet. The essence gameplay- place bets and spin the reels to form winning combinations. A mechanical slot machine spins using a lever. This is "one hand". "Bandit" is a hint that...

A one-armed bandit with bonus games and a game of chance will please not only additional features win, but also with a thoughtful design, ironic “Easter eggs” in the design and thoughtful controls. True, the player will have to spend some time to understand all the intricacies of the interface. But you can get acquainted with the slot without risks: on entertainment portals you can play the one-armed bandit for free. How to play one-handed ban...

Buttons and their functions Using a number of keys on the slot toolbar, you can completely control the course of the game. The panel with keys is located at the bottom of the screen. It consists of the following buttons: “1 Line”, “3 Line”, “5 Line”, “7 Line” and “9 Line” - they are responsible for activating or deactivating pay lines. During the game, they select cards. “Bet One” - gradually increases the total amount of the player’s bet with each click. Activates a window with...

How to play one-armed bandit Devil The interior of the bar where the player will spend time consists of 5 reels and 9 lines. You can bet from 1 to 25 credits on each of them at the same time. Before you start ordering certain items from the tavern menu, you need to decide on the number of active lines. To do this, the one-armed bandit Devil uses 5 special keys 1 LINES - 9 LINES. The number shown on the button corresponds to the setting...

How to play one-armed bandit Book of Ra Deluxe? On the machine screen, the player sees the Start button in the lower right corner, which starts the rotation of the reels. To determine the number of active lines, use the +/- buttons in the Lines window, then use the +/- buttons in the Bet / Line window to select the number of coins that will be bet on each line. The player has the right to bet from 1 to 200 virtual points on each line, with the maximum bet...

The unusual one-armed bandit Birds! Compared to familiar game Birds! has a number of features: Absence of traditional drums: three wires are stretched on the screen between two lanterns, on which five birds balance. Belongs to games with the so-called chain reaction. That is, the player receives bonuses for a continuous sequence of winning combinations of symbols. Instead of paylines, there are three types of winning...

Features of the one-armed bandit 2 Million BC has the following features: The absence of wild and scatter symbols. The symbols on the reels are animated, that is, they move during the game and also appear outside the playing field. The one-armed bandit contains elements of another game activity (bonus game with acorn throwing). The game's characters are lively and the sound and visual effects are fun and gentle on the senses. Rules 2 Million BC Main...

How to play Each symbol of the one-armed bandit represents a certain value, appearing less often or more often. In accordance with the theme of the machine, an orange, an apple, a pear, a bunch of bananas, a watermelon or a lemon may appear. Sometimes you may come across a bonus picture - a cocktail. By collecting 3 or more of these images, the bonus game will be activated. By getting this opportunity, your victory increases two, three, or even more times without risking losing everything...

What's in South Park: Five Reels; 25 fixed active lines; Several bonus game modes; AUTOPLAY; Scatter and free spins; Wild; Fixed jackpot. Beginning of the gameplay in the one-armed bandit The game offers a free version that does not require real investment Money. This option is ideal for beginners. Get to know the slot better through the demo version (it does not require registration), and...

Created by programmers of the Russian company Igrosoft, online Fairy Land is one of the most popular slots in the developer’s collection. Among gamers it is widely known as “Frogs”. Made in the format of a 5-reel, 9-line machine, the “one-armed bandit” Fairy Land is presented in most of the leading online casinos on the Runet. Design of the Magic Land slot The Fairy Land slot machine is able to attract attention from one point...

How to Play One-Armed Bandit Reel Attraction is a game played on five reels, three rows, and 20 paylines. The user can activate an arbitrary number of them - from 1 to 20. The player can also adjust the size of the bet per line. The bet and the number of active lines are used to form total rate per spin, which is withdrawn from the deposit as soon as the reels start spinning. Further game mechanics are determined by special...

Settings on the device It is possible to launch the one-armed bandit for free, as well as the version for money, only with the settings of bets and lines. The only difference between the two game options is that in the first case the player is provided with a free loan. In the second case, you will need to make a special deposit. In the demo version of the Aeronatus game, the credit amount is 1,000 coins. As for bets, you first need to place bets on o...

In modern times, this concept does not apply to automatic machines. The policy of fairness and transparency of the game forces manufacturers to publish all the necessary data about the operation of the machine, including the theoretical return percentage. The user, when starting a gaming session, can familiarize himself with the numbers provided and refuse the game if he considers its conditions unfavorable. In addition, with the advent of new features and offers (special symbols, free spins, bonuses and doubling games), the chances of winning have increased significantly compared to the chances of the first slot machines.

The appearance of slots

The first mention of the slot can be found in historical reports for 1891. At this time, in the bars of America, where lines for a glass of strong drink stretched for dozens of people, the first devices developed by Sitman and Peet appeared, designed to distract and entertain visitors. Anyone could put five cents into the slot of the bulky machine, pull the lever, starting the rotation of the reels, and get a combination of cards on the “screen”. True, there were no screens then. And the drawn symbols were replaced by a real deck: cards were inserted into special holders in a random order, and when the reels were rotated, their combinations fell out. The slot used 50 cards – 10 per reel. That is, the first slot machines were 5-reel machines with one “payline”.

This game did not bring any money. But, having received a winning poker combination, the player could call the bartender and receive a glass of whiskey as a reward. That is, the first one-armed bandits, like most slot machines of that time, were not considered a gambling (monetary) form of entertainment, bringing only material rewards - booze or cigarettes.

By the way, it was at this time that slot definitions such as “giving” and “stingy” appeared. Today, these terms are not applicable to slot machines, because the design of the machines has changed since the advent of microprocessors and with the transition from mechanics to electronics. And even before, since the machines ceased to be a piece product, inventors forbade owners to change the design of the device. At the same time, in 1891 and until the appearance of the first money machines, the owners of the establishment, in order not to give out drinks for free, could change the layout of the reels - remove certain cards or replace them with others.

It so happened that in some machines the combinations appeared with a greater chance, in others - with a lesser chance, in some - they did not appear at all. Regulars of establishments who stood in lines every day could keep track of which machines were profitable to play and which were not. Those slots that brought winning combinations were called “generous”. Those on whose reels the sequences did not form are “stingy”.

The era of slot machines in the form that gamblers know today began in 1895, when a certain Charles Fay created the first machine that dispensed money.

The first money slots - Fay machines

Cash slot machines have not immediately become widespread. A keen mechanic and developer, Charles Fay, made several attempts before the production of one-armed bandits began to bring profit to the inventor and arouse interest and demand from establishments.

4-11-44 is the first one-armed bandit to go on sale in 1895. This device accepted five-cent coins and, in the event of a combination, gave out rewards in coins of the same denomination. However, the device did not bring commercial success, and Fey continued development.
Liberty Bell is an automatic machine released in 1898. The name for the device appeared among the people. This is what the players themselves called the slot. The design of the device included three reels and several images on them: card suits, horseshoes and, in fact, bells, after which the one-armed bandit was named. The device still accepted nickels, and greatest reward gave out half a dollar. At that time, 50 cents was a large sum, given that the weekly salary, for example, in New York ranged from 5 to 15 dollars. That's when Fei's slot machine gained popularity.

It was not easy to make new machine guns at the beginning of the 20th century: there were no manufacturing plants or factories as such; the inventor made each one-armed bandit by hand. And, since the devices were popular, Fei soon had imitators and competitors. Also in 1898, Mills, the founder of the Novelty company, copied Charles Fay's invention and called it Operator Liberty, by analogy with Liberty Bell. Subsequently, Charles Fay and Mortimer Mills signed an agreement, and the Novelty company put Fay’s devices into production.

The one-armed bandits of Fay and Mills now began to appear not only in bars, but also in stores, hotel lobbies, and waiting rooms at train stations. Such devices could not be opened, configured or adjusted. The owners only had access to the coin acceptor, and could not influence the game mechanics in any way. This is how the first prerequisites for modern fair play, on the one hand, and the protection of the manufacturer’s intellectual property rights, on the other, appeared.

Popularization of one-armed bandits

Oddly enough, one-armed bandits gained the greatest popularity during Prohibition, starting in 1920. As soon as drinking establishments closed, in order not to lose money, manufacturers threw their products onto the mass market: now mechanical devices were installed in coffee shops, bowling alleys, and gas stations. Most of The American population could get acquainted with a new offer - a slot machine.

When Prohibition was repealed (1933), mafia groups became interested in a new potentially profitable area - the gambling business in the United States. The experience gained in Cuba came in handy - in northern Nevada, in Las Vegas, casinos began to appear one after another.

By this year, the Jennings company has already released a new generation of one-armed Jackpot Bell bandits that can attract the attention of players - slot machines with an electric motor. If before the slots were purely mechanical and the rotation of the reels was activated by lowering the lever (which required a lot of physical effort), now it has become much easier to spin the spins - the rotation of the heavy wheels and gears was driven by a motor.

In addition to purely mechanical innovations, Jennings has also developed an attractive in-game offer for users - a jackpot, which provides a one-time chance to win a large sum. The prospect of getting a solid win by pulling the lever of a one-armed bandit has finally classified slots as gambling entertainment. Previously, machines were not considered in this way simply because, under current US law, only games that involve two or more participants and bring large payouts were considered gambling. With the jackpot, such payouts became possible in slot machines. This is how the one-armed bandits got into the casino.

The technological revolution of one-armed bandits

For a long time, one-armed bandits were mechanical devices. And the more actively production developed, the more complex and massive such devices were. The number of symbols and reels increased, the wheels themselves became larger, and soon modern slots began to take up too much space. It was impossible to install a large number of them in one room.

Switch to software

Vending machines might have lost their popularity, but in 1981 the world of technology was replenished with the revolutionary invention of Intell - the 8080 microprocessor. This innovation not only improved most household appliances and gave impetus to the development computer equipment, but also played important role in development gambling business and one-armed bandits, in particular. The first slot machine that used an 8080 processor was the Fortune A slot from the American company IGT. Now that the game could be programmed using a program, mechanical machines with levers began to be replaced by more compact electronic digital machines with buttons.

The casino was interested in making the slot machines attractive to customers. And the attractiveness of any gambling game is determined by the potential winnings. The more money a player wins during a session, the more interest she calls. So the producers of one-armed bandits came to the conclusion that the game that brings the maximum winnings with a minimum bet is in demand.

Nevertheless, the scheme had to be developed in such a way that the placement of machines would be beneficial not only for users, but also for gambling establishments. Slot machines had to pay out large sums with the lowest frequency. To reduce the chance of winning the jackpot, it was necessary to increase the number of options for image combinations. With a microprocessor, this was possible to achieve, without increasing the design of the one-armed bandit itself.

New jackpot system

In 1986, IGT released the first progressive jackpot slot, Mega Buks.

A progressive jackpot is a type of jackpot in which its maximum value is not initially programmed into a specific machine (for example, 50,000 coins for completing set playing conditions), and is formed from prize fund several machines. Connected into one network, one-armed bandits deduct a percentage of each bet during gaming sessions. From such deductions a common “bank” of money is formed, designed to be issued biggest prize. Such jackpots are extremely rare, but the amount that is played on progressive slots sometimes amounts to millions of dollars.

First bonuses

In 1996, WMS released the Reel ‘em slot machine, which introduced a bonus game for the first time. Bonus rounds did not offer players an amount of money, but the opportunity to win an additional incentive or reward. So the one-armed bandits began to offer additional credits, free spins, multipliers - everything without which modern gameplay would seem boring and incomplete, not satisfying the needs of a player who grew up on video games.

One-armed bandits online

In the mid-90s of the twentieth century, the first virtual slot machines, known as video slots, appeared. Now, in order to spin the reels, it is not necessary to search for and visit a land-based gambling establishment - using the Internet, you can play slots without leaving your home. The principles of the game have remained the same, but new methods of implementation have made this type of gambling more accessible.

Game symbols of one-armed bandits

Traditionally, one-armed bandits used several sets of symbols:

Card values or suits were used in the first slot machines, which were produced before 1910 (before the first ban on one-armed bandits). Initially, such images were used because the player needed to make poker hands. Later - for convenience and recognition. With the advent of the first Fay machines, other images were added - horseshoes, bells.
Fruits. After cash slot machines were banned, Novelty quickly took action and developed slots with a different mechanism of action. The cards were replaced with fruits, and the user, spinning the reels, received fruit gum as a win. And although the ban on slots soon fell into oblivion, the symbolism has survived to this day, as a reference to the classics.

Modern video slots feature cards or fruits. In addition to them, other images appear on the screen, and the “ancient symbols” serve as the lowest paying images. At the beginning of the development of slot machines, combinations of such pictures brought significant payouts, but appeared on the playing field less often.

Fruit and card images have become classics, and new machines use a number of specific themes, experimenting with the visual component of slots. Today users are provided long list plots and various design styles. Playing the one-armed bandit involves fairness and the chance to win a significant amount of money, as well as an element of presentation that would be enjoyable and exciting for the user. This is how non-standard slot machines with special symbols, 3D images and complex animation appeared.

Summing up

One-armed bandits are among the most popular types gambling entertainment in the modern gambling market. There is a trend in land-based casinos: every year the number of gambling tables in establishments is decreasing, and larger number slot machines are installed in the halls. Slots bring owners of establishments over 50% of revenue, and players the largest winnings (with the exception of money played in card tournaments or won in the lottery).

Today you can play slot machines in land-based casinos and online establishments, some of which specialize exclusively in slots. Slot manufacturers are investing in the development of this area of the gambling industry, inventing innovative approaches to the implementation of the good old game. Today you can get acquainted with one-armed bandits without risking your wallet by visiting entertainment and information platforms, in which the slots are provided in the form of a free demo version with money already deposited into the game account.

Online and offline establishments offer only certified licensed products. Access to game program code is strictly limited by the manufacturer. Third parties cannot influence the operation of the machine. If you are interested in fair and safe gaming, only spin the reels at licensed establishments. Having a license is a guarantee that the game provided by the establishment has not been subject to changes or adjustments.

How the one-armed bandit works June 12th, 2016

At first, slot machines were installed in saloons as entertainment for casual players, since, unlike traditional gambling such as Black Jack or dice, do not require special knowledge and skills - the player only has to throw a coin and pull the lever. These features allowed slot machines to achieve unprecedented success and become the most popular and profitable type of gambling, bringing in more than 60 percent of all profits received from gambling.

Modern machines use computers instead of mechanisms, but they look and feel like old mechanical machines. Slot machines safes play online - the random number generator at the heart of the computer ensures that with every turn of the reel there is an equally likely chance that the Jackpot will appear. Whenever the machine is turned on, the random number generator produces integer numbers (usually from 1 to several billion) one hundred times per second. The moment you "pull the handle" (or press the button), the computer records three random numbers generated by the generator. The first number is used to determine the position of the first reel, the second number is used for the second reel, and the third is used for the third reel respectively. Next, the computer checks the table, which tells it what the values are on the virtual reel. Thus, in an electronic slot machine, the chances that the treasured symbol or combination of symbols will appear depend only on who, and how the virtual drum is configured.

Such programs are carefully designed and tested in order to achieve a certain percentage of return on investment. The payback percentage is determined by the percentage of the money that was put into the machine and the money paid to the player. With a payback percentage of 90, for example, the casino would take approximately 10 percent of all the money placed into the machine and give away the other 90 percent. Such a large percentage of payback is associated, first of all, with the desire of machine owners to attract as many as possible who want to try their luck. After all, there are a lot of competitors around, and if a machine only cleanses the pockets of players, it is unlikely to last long in the gambling market.

But how did those first mechanical “one-armed bandits” of the 19th century work? There were many varieties; below we will consider in detail only one, the simplest of them.

The basic design includes three drums mounted on a central rod. In addition, three toothed disks are attached to it, each of which is connected to its own drum. Under the drums there is a metal plate with three blades, the so-called kickers, fixed along its axis to a metal rod. A stopper is attached to each of the kickers - a plate that stops the movement of the drum.

When the player pulls the handle of the machine, the control cam (by appearance very reminiscent of a regular hook), fixed at the bottom of the handle, sets in motion a platinum with kickers that engage the teeth on the disks, and the reels begin to rotate. At the same moment, the stoppers are moved away from the reels by a special U-shaped plate located behind the kickers.

It should be noted that the stoppers have a specially elongated hook-shaped shape so that the ends cling to the U-shaped plate at the moment when the control cam sets the kickers in motion. Therefore, the drums rotate freely until the cam returns to its starting position, then the stoppers are released one after another, catching one of the teeth of the disk and thereby stopping the drums in turn. The fact that the reels stop does not at the same time add additional excitement to the game, forcing the player to look forward to the appearance of each next picture after the next reel stops. After all, only if there are identical symbols on the winning line will the player hit the jackpot.

But how does the machine itself determine that you have won?

There are many various systems winning payouts used in slot machines. The simplest of them is a system in which winnings are determined by measuring the depth of the teeth of the disks that move the reels. For simplicity, we will consider machines that accept only one type of coin and have only one possible combination for winning.

When you put a coin into such a machine, it falls into a transparent box. The base of the drawer is a movable shutter, which is connected to a metal shutter. Typically, the damper keeps the shutter closed. But when the Jackpot hits on three reels at once, the third stopper moves the shutter upward, opening the shutter so that the coins fall out of the machine.

But if only the second reel stops on the win, the second stopper will not move completely to the mark, because the first stopper will create an obstacle to its movement. Accordingly, the second stopper holds the third. Thus, in order for the shutter to open, all three stoppers must be on the winning mark.

As a rule, slot machines have a more complex payout system. Paying out part of the winnings for certain combinations of pictures and the entire winnings in full for a Jackpot combination.