Reel Slots VS. Video Slots - A Quick Sneak-Peek

Today, video slots are the most popular games in online casinos across the globe. But classic slots with mechanical reels still have their following. Although the basic concepts behind playing slots are the same, there are some significant differences between video slots and reel slots. Each variation has something different to offer, and the one you choose to play will depend on your style and preference. So, to help you get started with your betting journey, this handy guide gives you an insight into the difference between reel and video slots.

Video slots

It goes without saying that slot machines have come a long way since their invention in the 19th century. Nowadays, slot machines are immensely popular among people of all abilities because there is a wide variety to choose from. The introduction of video slot machines had a profound impact on the gambling industry, and they have changed the way people play slots.

The modern video slot machine was created in 1975 by Walt Fraley, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that video slots gained prominence. And as technology advanced in recent decades, video slots have evolved from traditional games to slots with enticing themes, storylines and much more.

Although video slots differ from classic three-reel machines in various ways, the setup is largely the same – the RNG software chooses a number sequence that corresponds to certain symbol combinations, while the payout is based on which symbols stop on certain paylines. However, the themes and graphics will help you in differentiating between video slots and their reel-based counterparts.

Betting

Many players suggest that you need to bet maximum coins in order to get the largest payout possible. The reason for this is that placing the maximum machine’s bet is the only way to be eligible to win the jackpot. However, unlike reel spinning machines that generally feature a smaller number of maximum bets that you can place, video slots can have maximum bets that go up to hundreds of coins.

Also, it’s important to note that the payback incentive to bet the maximum amount of coins is not that great. In fact, the payback percentage for many video slots is the same, regardless of how many coins you bet.

Variations

There are countless variants of video slots, and the difference between them is generally based on the type of themes and features they offer. But what they all have in common is the RNG software and the virtual reels. Below are the elements that you should look for when choosing a video slot game to play:

Reels – Three- and five-reel slot machines are the most common ones.

Rows – Depending on the machine, the number of rows of symbols that are visible when the reels stop spinning are different.

Paylines – Video slots feature various paylines. Along with the traditional horizontal line, video slots may also offer paylines in the form of zig zags, scatter pays, V or even upside-down V. At times, it might be beneficial for you to bet on them all.

Progressive jackpot – Many video slot machines feature progressive jackpots, which increase every time the player makes a wager. When playing progressive jackpot games, you have the opportunity to bet on the maximum number of coins. This is because many video slot machines require players to make the maximum bet in order to be eligible for the jackpot.

Reel slots vs video slots

There are a number of things that you should consider when choosing between video slots and reel slots. Below are some of them:

The steps required to play both video slots and reel slots are basically the same. Players need to place the bet, activate paylines and tap on the spin button to spin the reels. After this, the random number generator does the rest of the work.

The RNG software ensures that the outcome is completely random and independent of previous results. This means that the result of your previous spin has no effect on your next spin.

Reel slots don’t offer various bonuses and scatter pays, while video slot machines do.

The maximum bet for video slots and reel slots often varies considerably. While the maximum number of bets may be limited in reel slots, it’s not the case with video slots.

Most reel slots usually have three to five reels. While many players believe that three-reel slots offer better odds than five-reel slots, it’s not true because the RNG software determines the outcome. In fact, the odds of winning at three-reel slots are essentially the same as five-reel slots.