The slots game has come a long, long way since the very first one was invented in the late 19th century. It was the brainchild of a young electrical engineer called Charles Fey and the game was called The Liberty Bell with a princely jackpot of 50 cents.
Fast forward 150 years and the online slots we play today still follow the same basic principle – when the right symbols line up you win – but the games are very different.
That’s because they’ve been made far more entertaining with many features in common with video games like animation, bonus rounds and killer soundtracks.
They also come with some great themes, including these seven favourites, many of which you can try when you check out the $300 free chip no deposit casino options by BonusFinder.
For centuries the land of the pyramids has held a fascination for everyone from historians to archaeologists. And, from the fabulous treasures of Tutankhamun to the story of Cleopatra, it’s no wonder that these have appealed to slots designers too.
Having plentiful symbols to use is key to any slots design and ancient Egypt obliges with scarab beetles, hieroglyphics and many more. Add to this the search for the riches contained within the pharaohs’ tombs and it makes for the perfect slots game.
A very different kind of pot of gold is the target in the many slots games based around the legendary luck of the Irish. In a typical example of this theme, a player will be led a merry dance by one of the country’s little people, a leprechaun. In ancient folklore, these mythic creatures can lead you to the end of the rainbow where you’ll find a pot of gold.
Next, we’re heading out to sea for a whole shoal of different games based on landing the big catch. For players, the bait is their stake money, and the objective is to use it to lure the big prizes your way. The usual target is the hard-fighting game fish, the bass and one of the most popular range of games go under the overall heading of Big Bass Bonanza.
We’re water-bound yet again for the next big theme. Just like Long John Silver and Blackbeard, when you’re playing one of these games, you’re on the trail of hidden treasure. But, unlike these buccaneers of old, you don’t have a treasure map with X marking the spot to help you. Instead, you have spinning reels which, you hope, are going to deliver the chests full of doubloons that will make up the jackpot.
Lots of movies go on to have a long-life way past the date when they’re released – and slots games are one way that the makers keep the titles alive. Whatever genre you’re into, you’re sure to find a slot that satisfies. Comic book fans have a wide choice of Marvel slots and for horror fans there are titles like Nightmare on Elm Street. If you love a classic, then here’s an offer you can’t refuse – a chance to play The Godfather slot!
We’ve already mentioned that online slots go as big on their soundtracks as they do on their visual elements. So music makes the perfect theme with games that include an eclectic number of artists from Elvis to Motorhead. Many include video excerpts of the stars or bands and, in the case of heavy metallers, crashing guitar chords often signal a big win or other event that takes place in the course of the play.
Last, but not least, there are countless sports-themed slots whose goal is to deliver a big win for players. Baseball, soccer, even snooker, you’ll find them all being played out in the slots section of an online casino
The big question that many players face is which particular theme of game to go for. The simple answer is to pick the one, or ones, that appeal the most. So if fishing’s your passion then choose a fishing one. If you’re a history buff, then head for Ancient Egypt.
Most games are based on the same basic software so there’s no particular strategy that works better with some than others. In fact, the random number generators behind all slots games means that there’s no really effective strategy at all.
If you’re looking for a big win then games with a so-called progressive jackpot are the ones to go for. But if you’re more interested in regular, smaller wins than games that are labelled as having a low to medium variance are the ones to choose.
So there you have it. A quick rundown of the most popular slots themes. Now it’s time to choose yours and get those reels spinning.