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There are two slot machine types: straight slots and progressives slots. In general terms, these slots are similar except for one feature: in the straight version, the winner is paid a preset amount, whereas in the progressive version, the jackpot grows by a portion of every coin played.

Oftentimes many progressive machines feed into a single jackpot where one machine has a chance to win, and the jackpot increases immensely. These combinations can be a mixture of several machines in a casino, or can be joined to similar machines in a whole locality. Progressive machines can usually be distinguished by constantly updated electronic payoff signs shown either above the machine or above a combination.

There are various types of machines, and whether your choice is a progressive or a straight slot, players will be faced with many options. Slot Machines differ on coin denominations, the number of reels, the number of coins to play and whether they offer one or several paylines.

The quarter and dollar machines are most well-known and they are located throughout various spots on the floor of the casino. Nickel machines can still be found in most casinos and some are quite costly because of the number of coins needed to play. For high-rollers, $5, $25, and $100 machines were developed and are assigned to exclusive VIP locations.

Straight slot machines consist of three reels, but casinos provide four or more reel machine options as well. The number of reels and the amount of symbols shown on each reel determines the rate of winning. Commonly, the higher the amount of reels and symbols, the more difficult it is to win the jackpot.

The amount of symbols per reel is fed into the machine's computer, also known as the Random Number Generator, that manipulates the slot machine. The actual number of symbols is determined by the amount of the jackpot offered by the machine. The reason for feeding the symbols is to make the jackpot hard to hit so that the machine will produce sufficient money to shoulder the jackpot and yield an income for the casino. The majority of the machines are designed to pay out in the range of 83 to 98 percent of the coins inserted.

The average machine works on a maximum of two to three coins. However many newer machines require as many as 100 coins for maximum play and payoff. There are slight modifications when it comes to machines that use multiple coins. In some machines, the value of the coins is equal to the payoff and in some, the payoff is slightly higher than proportional. A one-coin jackpot is not even paid off in some machines while the three-coin jackpot commonly pays one hundred fifty percent of a two-coin win. In such cases, it is wise to play the highest number of coins.

Did You Know?

The first mechanical slot machine was called the "Liberty Bell" and was invented in 1895 by Charles Fey. Mr. Fey was employed at the time as a car mechanic in San Francisco, California. Fey's slot machine had three spinning reels, with diamonds, spades, hearts and one cracked Liberty Bell painted around each reel. The "Jackpot" for this revolutionary machine was fifty cents or ten shiny nickels.

Regular slot machines provide one payline, but machines with three or more paylines are not unusual. For several payline machines, a coin has to be used for every payline in order to get the payout for the win. When one of the lower winning combinations is hit, automatic payouts will be given by the machine. However, the bigger jackpots will be settled by an employee of the casino who is informed by a light above the machine.

In conclusion, the most common of the slot machine types is the straight slots and these machines can be found in practically every casino in the world. Whereas the progressive slots are most players favorite type of slot machine because everyone dreams of hitting the "big one" and then promptly telling their boss where to go.