Initially, slot machines were meant to be nothing more than a diversion for the casual gamer. But nowadays, there are people who visit casinos specifically to play slots. One of the main reasons for this is because you don’t really need any gambling knowledge in order to excel at slots. Also, the bet size is small while the reward has the potential of being huge. But how do these machines work?

The technology behind slot machines has changed quite a bit over the years. Classical designs were mechanical but today, they have all been replaced by computers. But this doesn’t mean the game has changed in any way. Just that the experience has become a whole lot better.

Players just push a button and the reels start spinning. Whether you win or lose is determined by the pictures which line up on the pay line. If all the reels show the winning picture then you win. The amount depends on the pictures which you see on the pay line.

Classic slots worked on elaborate configurations of levers and gears. The main element in this is a metal shaft which supported the reels. The shaft was connected with a handle to get things moving. Then there was also a braking mechanism which stopped the reels. Lastly, there were sensors to communicate where the reels were to the payout system. As for the coins, there’s a coin detector which unlocks the brake whenever a coin is inserted.

But nowadays, there’s none of this since the entire design is computerised. This has allowed designers to take slots to the next level and with video slots, there is much more to do than simply stare at spinning reels. This is perhaps why slots have become so much more popular in today’s world. Go spin.