You might be wondering what we mean when we talk about classic slots. Are they slots based on stories from antiquity? No, they’re the original slots that came out in the late 90s and early 00s when online casinos were coming into their own. And despite the number of new slots with innovative graphics and gameplay, classic slots are still popular with many players.
In this guide, we look at these much-loved slot games and, more importantly, where you can play them. Read on to find out more, then sign up to one of our suggested casinos and enjoy their welcome bonus.
WHAT ARE CLASSIC SLOTS?
Classic slots aren’t too dissimilar to any other slots you might have played. In fact, all modern slots are based on classic slots but have just advanced and evolved.
It used to be part and parcel of most bars to include a fruit machine, and today it still is a novelty for some. These machines were the original slots and were simple to play. Bet some money, pull the lever and match up the symbols. It was fun, easy to understand and, of course, when online casinos came around, they were incorporated into the world of online slots.
These classic slots would often feature familiar symbols, such as bars, lucky sevens and fruits such as melons, lemons and cherries. Many games also feature a bell symbol – a nod to the first-ever slot game called the Liberty Bell.
When you look at classic slots now, you’ll find loads that match this description. Over the years, they have been gaining a lot of popularity, so gaming developers have either re-released them or reinvigorated them into ‘retro’ slots, which still focus on the same three-reel layout and familiar symbols.
It’s not just restricted to the evolved fruit machine type slots, though. Nowadays, when somebody talks about classic slots, they mean slots that came out at the same time. In those early years, we saw games like Tomb Raider released – it was branded content, had innovative features other than just free spins and set the way for future slots. Play it now, though, and you might notice the graphics are a bit outdated, and the features are similar to all other classic slots.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLASSIC AND MODERN SLOTS
The main difference between classic and modern slots is all to do with technology and how it’s changed over time. Graphics have got better, including the colours on screen and characters involved. There are video animations, too, and more branded content.
Modern slots are laden with added features. For instance, classic slots would usually consist of either three or five reels and traditionally stick with only a few paylines – some had just one. Modern slots can go anywhere from 25 to 243 and even more. Add the Megaways mechanic, and slot games can have up to 117,649 ways to win!
The bonus features are also more varied on modern slots, with free spins, sticky wilds, multipliers, and options to select a prize or spin a wheel of fortune. And new ones are coming out all the time.
With that being said, classic slots are still fun to play. They’re familiar, so you can enjoy lots of them without getting lost in the bonus features. They also have their own bonuses and themes and payout just as well.
HOW TO PLAY CLASSIC SLOTS
Playing classic slots is really simple, but we’ve put together a quick step-by-step guide to help you along the way.
- Choose a slot of your choice and open it up
- Watch any introductions, and you’ll then land on an idle screen
- Look for the info button to read up more about the paytable and any special symbols and how to trigger features
- Select your bet size, and then hit the spin button
- Watch the reels spin, and when the symbols stop and match up, you’ll see if you’ve won.
FEATURES OF CLASSIC SLOTS
RTP – also known as return to player, is the percentage of stakes to a game. For example, if a slot has 92% RTP, you can expect to win a payout of 92 cents out of a dollar over a period of play.
Variance – tells you how likely you are to land winning combinations.
Progressive Jackpots – connected jackpots that are pooled across casinos or slots, giving you the chance to win millions.
Multiline formats – a variety of paylines for you to choose, from five to more than 25, to increase winning chances. It costs more to play with extra win lines.
Special Icons – look out for wilds, which can replace any symbol to help form a winning combo, and scatters that can trigger bonus rounds.
Special features – can be triggered in the game, such as free spins, multipliers, sticky wilds, along with fixed and progressive jackpots to play for.
BEST CLASSIC SLOTS
You could go and search for classic slots, and no doubt you’ll find a huge selection. But if you want slots that are truly classic and have the very best bonuses and features, just take a quick look at our recommended list here:
- Mega Joker
- Tomb Raider
- Great Blue
- 777
- Triple Diamond
FREE CLASSIC SLOTS
With so many slots to choose from, it can be tough to decide on where to start. And you might not want to play all the various slots with your own money.
The good news is, you don’t have to. Many online casinos have classic slots with a free version for you to play – when you load it up, just look for the free play option. Then you have virtual, unlimited funds for you to try the slot out. That way, you get to enjoy playing it while getting used to how everything works.
ONLINE CLASSIC SLOTS CASINOS
You don’t have to search for online classic slots casinos, especially when we’ve got a recommended list for you right here. But we do still encourage you to do your own research before playing at an online casino. So, here’s what you need to look for:
- Check reputation. Go to the about us page of an online casino if they have one. Check out the casino forums, look up reviews in search engines and make sure it’s a legitimate, popular place to play
- Investigate the bonuses. Always read the small print on how much you need to wager. And see what type of bonuses the online casino offers and how frequently
- Proper licenses. See where the casino has its license from – it could be Gibraltar, Malta or more – make sure it definitely is a licensed place to play before heading there
- Slot portfolio. You want the very best slots, so always look and see what slots are available, as well as other online casino games, before signing up
- The right support. From customer support to appropriate banking methods, you want to make sure you feel comfortable where you play, and it suits your style and has help on hand. This means support whenever you need it and the ability to deposit and withdraw your funds with ease.
