History of 5-Reel Slots: When Did the Very First Slot Games Come Into Being?

Nowadays, you can try all kinds of different online slot machines when visiting some of the best gambling sites. These games are not only fun but also easy to play thanks to their simple gameplay. While all types of Irish slots online are high in demand, there is one particular type of game that seems to appear in a higher number than others. And this is the category of 5-reel slots.

Usually, these games have 5 reels and 3 rows, making up a grid with 15 positions. But do you know how do they work? It’s pretty simple. Every time the player places a bet, the reels start spinning and a new line-up of symbols gets displayed on each reel. If the player has enough matching symbols lined up, they get paid. Of course, 5-reel slots differ in symbols, bonus features, and themes as well. Therefore, each game offers something new for the 슬롯사이트 players!

If you are wondering how these games came into being, then you are at the right place. Today, we will talk about the history of 5-reel slots.

Everything Started in the 19th Century

The appearance of the first slot machines in the world can be dated back as early as the late 19th century. These gaming machines had a lever on the side that players had to pull to spin the reels. Then, the reels would stop on a random combination of the symbols displayed on them. If the player was lucky enough to spin the right combination of symbols, they won.

The first slot games in history were the following:

• Sittman and Pitt’s poker machine: It was a mechanical machine that came with 5 drums. The drums allowed for displaying a total of 50 playing cards (10 on each drum). Very soon this game was available for players in many places and became quite popular. However, there was an inconvenience regarding Sittman and Pitt’s poker machine. It didn’t have a direct payout system so players were paid at the bars. Since this game had 5 drums, it is considered to be the predecessor of modern 5-reel slots.
• Liberty Bell machine: This machine was invented by Charles Fey. It had 3 reels and to make payouts easier it also allowed automatic payout for the players. Instead of playing cards, the Liberty Bell machine had 5 symbols: diamonds, hearts, horseshoes, spades, and a liberty bell.

After Fey’s great invention, manufacturers came up with newer and newer great ideas that revolutionized the entire gambling industry. This included that many other variations of slots have been created over the years. The classic symbols like horseshoes and liberty bells were replaced by fruits.

Also, thanks to the huge advancements in technology, the first electromechanical machine (1964), and video slot game (1976) have appeared in casinos. The latter one – instead of having actual drums – displayed the reels on a video screen.

Indeed, video technology was a real breakthrough in the history of slot games. This technology allowed these games to become more and more advanced. Thus, in the 90s 5-reel slots began to spread. Since these slots had more features, a higher number of pay lines, and bigger payouts, they became more and more attractive to the fans of slots.

The First Online Slot Machines

With the appearance of the first online casinos, the digital versions of slot machines started to emerge in the middle of the 90s. At this time, 5-reel games have also increased in popularity. Thus, gaming development companies switched their focus from creating 3-reel slots to games with 5 spinning reels. However, this didn’t mean the end of 3-reel slots. To this date, they are still enjoyed by many people.

Popular Games With 5 Reels

If you would like to see by yourself how 5-reel slots look nowadays, the good news is that there are plenty of fantastic games you can choose from. Regardless of whether you like music-themed games or you prefer slots that feature cute animals, most likely, you will find many titles that fulfill your gaming needs.

Below, we will review two popular 5-reel slots that you might want to check out.

Starburst

Starburst is one of the most played slots of all time. This game was developed by the well-known NetEnt software development company in 2012. Thanks to its simple gameplay and gorgeous graphics and animation, Starburst didn’t lose its popularity over the years. 5 reels, 3 rows, 10 pay lines, and exciting bonus features will wait for you if you choose this game.

Pharaoh’s Fortune

Pharaoh’s Fortune is another popular 5-reel slot. It was launched in 2014 by IGT. As you probably might guess from the title of the game, it’s an ancient Egyptian-themed slot with 5 reels and 3 rows. Regarding the number of pay lines, it offers 15 ways to win.

But by activating the free spin feature, players can increase this number up to 20. The symbols are all matching the Egyptian theme. Thus, you can find the Pyramid, Sun God, Eye of Horus, Scarab, Dog, and Ankh. If you love the world of pharaohs, then this game won’t disappoint you!

The Bottom Line

It’s interesting to see how 5-reel slots have developed from the 19th century up until the present day. The newest titles on the market use the latest technologies. Thus, they all have realistic graphics and modern sound effects. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which slot you will try. Chances are that you will have an excellent gaming experience.