WHY DO SLOT MACHINES USE FRUITS
One intriguing theory behind the use of fruit symbols on slot machines is that they symbolize nature's bounty, sparking thoughts of rewards in players' minds.
In many stories, like those from Greek mythology, fruits symbolize abundance and fertility, painting a picture of plenty. But the real reason is more straightforward: they tie back to chewing gum and candy.
FRUIT SYMBOLS IN SLOT MACHINES
Fruit slots
When slot machines were first introduced in the late 1800s, they featured numbers and card symbols, making them more akin to poker than the slots we know today.
In 1913, aiming to clean up the slot machine's reputation from past riggings, the Bell-Fruit Gum Company cleverly used bright, playful fruit icons, resembling children’s toys, to promise treats and prizes. These machines initially offered cherry, banana, and pineapple-flavored gum as prizes. However, soon after, the rewards evolved based on what the machine owners opted for.
Jumping to now, the digital age has seen fruit-themed slots constantly exploring new themes in casinos. Take, for example, Play’n GO's 'Inferno Star', which blends starry visuals with the familiar fruit style.
FIRST USE OF FRUITS IN SLOTS
In the early 20th century, anti-gambling laws surged, with one-arm bandits often draining people's savings. As these laws spread in the US, manufacturers adapted slots, replacing gambling symbols with fruit images that would reward players with gum if they hit a winning combination.
Now, punters played not for cash but for chewing gum whenever three matching fruits lined up, with cherries being the first scatter symbol that didn’t need to line up traditionally to win. Today, cherries, melons, plums, and pineapples are classic themes that continue, inspired by original gum flavors.
The man behind transforming these machines into gamified gum dispensers was O.D. Jennings from the Industry Novelty Company. Slot machines soon appeared in local stores, skirting gambling regulations. This led to a cascade of new slot variations since the designs remained unpatented, pushing advancements in both technology and payouts.
DO FRUIT-THEMED SLOTS OFFER BETTER PAYOUTS THAN REGULAR ONES?
Top-tier online casinos ensure fair play by incorporating a random number generator (RNG), as legally required. This technology, integral to both fruit and regular slots, runs computations in a split second and decides symbol outcomes. Each symbol bears a unique weight, meaning certain ones appear more often than others. Regular checks by independent auditors are mandated to verify fairness.
Fruit slots mirror regular slots in gameplay, so familiar strategies apply. Choosing your game based on return-to-player (RTP) percentages and variance is a smart approach.
It's crucial to understand that fruit machines don’t possess streaks. Their payouts hinge on the RNG, their variance, and RTP. For instance, playing a high-variance fruit slot means experiencing fewer but potentially larger wins than a low-variance one.
FRUITIES: THE BRITISH FLAVOR OF FRUIT SLOT MACHINES
From the 1950s through the 1980s, animated, vibrant fruit slot machines captivated players. Their charm lay in their visual and auditory allure, with prizes for matching fruit icons.
Though the appearances suggest otherwise, British 'fruities' are not purely luck-based. UK laws mandated some skill in their operation. Features like 'hold' and 'nudge' were introduced, adding a layer of strategy. Holding allows players to tweak non-static reels for a better result, while nudging shifts one reel position at a time to enhance alignment.
MODERNIZED FRUIT SLOTS
While the simplicity of fruit symbols evokes a wave of nostalgia, today's tech-forward games challenge their appeal. Lemons and cherries are especially good at taking players back to candy-like rewards and memories. Slot themes, such as Wazdan’s 'Fruity Fiesta', merge vintage flavors with modern jackpots and bonuses.
But outside of traditional casinos or venues like pubs, it's becoming harder for fruit slots to stand out against immersive video slots that showcase wider betting possibilities.
Many may not know that before fruits, poker ruled slot thematics. The evolution to bright fruit themes shone a light on the shadowy history of slot manipulation, but today, RNG and auditors ensure games remain unbiased.
The amount you take to a casino should align with your slot-playing goals and considerations like RTP and game volatility. Set a budget that covers what you’re comfortable losing since gambling should be purely for fun and entertainment, with responsible gaming practices in place.
In summary, fruit slots have a storied past that stretches back to the early 1900s when they dispensed chewing gum instead of coins. Today, they light up casino floors both offline and online, offering a mix of nostalgia and excitement. While payout mechanics between fruit and regular slots remain identical, they both utilize RNG for outcome determination. As such, play responsibly, factoring in RTP and variance. Whether you opt for fruit-themed or other slot types, prioritize enjoyment and gamble wisely.