To sign up for our daily email newsletter, CLICK HERE
Online slots fans are quite lucky considering all the different types of slot games they can play. The two main varieties to consider are classic slots and video slots. But how different are they really?
Nowadays, most people prefer playing modern video slots because, at first glance, they appear to be more fun and offer more diversity. However, classic slots are where it all began, and their time is far from over.
In this article, we’ll tell you more about the most important differences between these two types and help you choose the one that suits your preferences. If, after that, you want to learn even more about playing slots for real money, you should check out this guide from Jacob Atkinson at SOSgame.com.
What Are They?
Before we delve deeper into the specific features unique to each of the two types, let’s see what classic slots and video slots actually are.
Classic Slots
Classic slots are inspired by the old fruit machines that you could find in all casinos and game rooms back in the days. Typically, they have three reels, but there are some titles with five reels as well.
Classic slots usually feature simple gameplay and a streamlined structure. That makes them excellent for beginners who are still learning how to play slots, as well as for old school players who like keeping things simple.
Video Slots
Video slots are the modern variety that you can find in any online casino today. They are a lot more innovative and diverse, having more thrilling features, such as jackpots and bonuses.
Instead of being based on fruit machines, video slots are a mash-up between console video games and slot games. They typically feature exciting themes and have five or more reels, as well as unique gameplay.
Main Differences
Upon a closer look, classic slots and video slots have a lot of similarities. After all, they are two sides of the same coin. However, they have some crucial differences that new players should be aware of. Here are the biggest ones.
Variety of Themes
The most significant difference between classic and video slots is the variety of their themes.
In a way, all classic slots look the same. They feature very similar symbols, three reels, and a uniform layout. After a while, you might get fed up spinning the same reels again and again.
On the other hand, every video slot is unique. Each title has a different theme inspired by a movie, a rock star, mythology, video game, etc.
Video slots are colorful and feature-rich. There is usually a story that unfolds as you try to get the right combination of symbols and win.
Bonuses and Special Features
This is another crucial difference between these two types. It is also one of the main reasons many players prefer video slots to classic slots.
As a rule of thumb, classic slots have no bonuses or special symbols. There are some exceptions, but they are not very common.
On the other hand, video slots have Wild and Scatter symbols as a rule, as well as a series of unique bonuses that unlock fruitful wins when triggered. This makes it more thrilling to play video slots as you never know if a big win or a series of free spins is just around the corner.
Number of Paylines
More reels and rows unlock more paylines. More paylines means more ways to win. Who doesn’t like that?
Since classic slots only have three reels and three rows, they also have fewer paylines and usually only pay from left to right.
Typically, video slots have around 25 – 30 paylines. However, there are some titles with even more ways to win, such as 243 and even 1024. Plus, there are also the All Ways Pays slots that pay in all directions.
Stake-Size Variety
If you want to have full control over how you play a slot game and how much you wager on each spin, then perhaps video slots are the right type for you. The fact that video slots have more paylines means that you can fine-tune your stake-size.
You can choose how many paylines you want to activate, how much to bet on each payline, and sometimes even turn certain bonus features on or off. This way, you can make most slot games fit your bankroll and enjoy playing them much more.
