Classic Slots

Classic Slots - The Basics

Some of the top game providers, such as Microgaming, Bally, Playtech, WMS Industries, and Novomatic, still offer classic games with a Vegas-style look and feel.

As a result, classic slots have remained one of the most popular casino games. A big attraction is that they are easy to learn, are fast-paced, come with simple winning combinations, usually just three symbols, have low volatility and offer low-stakes bets. In fact, minimum bets can be as low £-€-$ 0.01 per spin, earning them the nickname – penny slots. The most basic variants do not come with overwhelming bonus features, use 1 pay line, simple combination wins and a wild symbol. The simplicity makes symbol combination and/or feature wins much easier to understand, and for some, this is the preferred way to play.

In short, classic slots are an excellent option for beginner gamblers and seasoned players alike. For new players, they represent a great introduction to online slots. And for those looking for more out of their classic slots’ gameplay, you can also find modernized versions with added fun new features like bonus games, scatter symbols, and multiplier symbols. Charlie Chance In Hell To Pay by Play’n GO is the perfect example of this.

HOW A CLASSIC SLOT MACHINE WORKS

Choose how much you want to bet and press the spin button. Many classic slots also come with a 'Bet Max' option for the highest spin bet offered. As with all payline slots, when playing 3 reel slots, the aim is to create a winning combination on an active payline. The classic slot machine could have anywhere between a single payline and up to 9 paylines. Creating a winning combination will involve landing matching symbols across all positions of one of those paylines. When you do, you win real money.

Classic slots work via an RNG (random number generator) that determines the result of every spin of the reels. To feature at licensed online casinos, the RNG of any classic 3 reel slot is tested by an independent RNG testing company. That ensures they offer a random and fair result. That means that slot fans always receive a fair experience when they play slots at an online casino.

Classic Slots Most Popular Symbols

If you have played classic 3 reel slots before, you may have noticed that they often look similar. They often have a fruit machine theme, as in, the developers design the slot to look like a one-armed bandit in a land-based casino. Furthermore, most slots also use similar symbols. You may have seen the bars, cherries, bells, 7s, melons, and watermelons we are talking about. For that reason, if you see an online slot with the symbols mentioned above, there is a good chance it is a classic slot. If it uses other symbols, you may find you're playing a modern title.

Another type of symbol you may find on a classic slot machine is a wild symbol. This will substitute for any other symbol needed to create a winning combination. Not all classic slots have wilds, but many do.

Delivering Fair & Trustworthy Results - RNG & Provably Fair

To ensure fair gameplay, online classic casino games use random number generators (RNGs) to determine the outcome of a spin or the Provably Fair Algorithm.

An RNG is an algorithm that generates a sequence of symbols or numbers. In land-based slots, this was a computer chip, but in today's modern online iGaming environment, every time you play classic slot games, the outcome is completely random and does not follow any pattern. Classic slots are a game of chance, and there is no way to alter the process to improve your chances of winning.

Classic Slot Paylines

Classic slot machines, in their most basic form, come with just one payline, which is why so many people refer to them as classic casino games. The one payline version goes back to the creation of the very first slot machine, which was the one-armed bandit. However, most 3 reel slot machines these days come with additional pay lines to enhance the gameplay.

Classic Slots with Up to 9 Pay Lines

Others may have 3, 4, 5 and sometimes 9 pay lines. And as there are only 3 reels, the standard combination win consists of 3 symbols. In some game titles, you will see the classic fruit cherry symbol, which will pay for just 2 symbols on a pay line. In general, higher-paying combinations pay for alike symbols, while many of the lower-paying symbols pay when certain combinations of symbols mix on a pay line.

Here are some 9-pay line popular classic slots you can play online:

• Triple Diamond (IGT)
• Monkey Madness (Pragmatic Play)
• Pirates Gold (NetEnt)
• Double Triple Chance (Edict)

Classic Slots with Bonus Rounds

Adding to this, there are also classic 3 reel slots that offer special features like bonus rounds and wild symbols, wild reels, multipliers, additional reels or bonuses, and even high-paying jackpots. Microgaming’s Cash Splash 3-reel is one of the earlier classic slots produced and is still available in casino jackpot lobbies today. It comes with a progressive jackpot that pays, on average, around €-£-$ 20,000 when it drops. Double Diamond from IGT is another example of a classic slot that has some bonus features. It has a wild symbol that also has a multiplier that doubles any win it helps to create. Fire Joker is another 3 reel slot that has bonuses. It has a Fiery Wheel of Multipliers and a re-spins bonus feature. That wheel can deliver a big win of up to 800x.

Classic slots with bonus rounds:

• Fire Joker (Play'n GO)
• Sticky Joker (Play'n Go)
• Diamond Duke (Quickspin)
• Charlie Chance in Hell (Play'n Go)

5-Reel Classic Fruit-Themed Slots

Some of the most popular slots today take the classic Vegas look and feel of 3 reel slot machines and create a 5-reel fruit-themed version.

Although technically, these are not classic slots, they are in the sense that the software provider's design team will use a retro design and old-style sound effects and symbols seasoned slot players associate with classic slots.

• Classic slot retro design
• Old-style digital sound effects
• Classic fruit, diamond, 7s, and bell symbols

CLASSIC SLOTS VS. VIDEO SLOTS

The most significant difference between classic and modern video slots is the number of reels.

• Classic Slots: 3 reels with 1-9 paylines, few (if any) bonus features, and simple gameplay.
• Modern Slots: 5 reels with multiple paylines up to 100 pay lines, Megaways, Cluster Pays and many other reel mechanics to create winning combinations.

With this, the number of pay lines can also differ. Most classic slots have just a single pay line that runs across the center of the reels. However, most variants are played with multiple pay lines. Moreover, modern versions often have special themes, animations, and modern features. For instance, they often have bonus features such as free spins, multipliers, expanding wilds, or cascading reels.

For instance, you will find plenty of Egyptian-themed game titles with bonuses, free spins, scatter symbols, and similar perks based around a pirate theme oozing with animated effects and cinematic bonus games. While traditional classic slots are mostly devoid of special icons or a theme and generally only feature the occasional wild or multiplier with classic fruit-themed symbols and no animations. That said, you will still find plenty of classic casino games redesigned with animations, 3D graphics and modern bonuses included.

CLASSIC SLOT STRATEGIES

While there are plenty of slot machine strategies plastered online, most of these strategies don’t work. However, there are a few tips you can pick up that can help you better manage your bankroll and choose the best classic slots.

1. Establish win and loss limits. Always set a budget before you start playing. Once you have hit your win or loss limits, stop playing.
2. Play the lowest-denomination machines. By always betting to the max, you can quickly deplete your bankroll, and then your fun is over. While you’re not going to get rich playing a penny machine, you won’t go broke, either.
3. Start playing for free. Many online casinos offer players the ability to play classic slots for free. When you play free slots, you get used to how these games work before moving on to the real money casino game versions.
4. Choose game titles with the highest payout. Check the return to player (RTP) to determine the theoretical percentage of your bets you can expect to be returned from spinning the three reels.
5. Understand the volatility of the slot you are playing. Some will pay out more frequently but smaller amounts on average. Others may pay out larger amounts, but sparingly. If you're new to classic slots, perhaps stick with the former (at least in the beginning), as the latter can burn through a bankroll quite quickly.

WINNING WITH CLASSIC SLOTS

Depending on the types of classic slots game you play, you’ll experience different levels of hit frequencies. The key components to winning are choosing between low, medium, and high variance variants and high to low RTPs (Return to Player).

• Low Variance: For old slot machine games, low-variance gameplay is the most common. Spins produce frequent combination wins in small amounts, and the max win is more often lower, higher variance gameplay.
• Medium Variance: There is a mix between high wins and low wins. Generally, there will be a multiplier feature or respins where you can earn big payouts.
• High Variance: High variance gameplay generally relies on a free spins bonus and/or a bonus game where big wins are possible. Consequently, there are fewer symbol combination wins.

Classic Slot Promotions

Progressive jackpots and drops & wins titles offer the chance to win big. Check out titles by Pragmatic Play’s 888 Gold, which has 3 reels, 4 fixed jackpots and sometimes drops & wins prizes. Also, Microgaming’s Cash Splash 3 Reel and Fruit Fiesta 3 Reel titles can land you huge progressive jackpot wins.

Classic Slots with Jackpots

Speaking of jackpots, some even have progressive jackpots that can grow up to 7-figures. Major Millions from Microgaming is one of the best-known. It is available in a three-reels or five-reel variation and has been created instant millionaires for 15 years.

• Cash Splash 3 Reel
• Fruit Fiesta 3 Reel
• Major Millions 3 Reel

Where to Play Classic Slots?

If you enjoy the nostalgic charm of old slot machine games, you can find them in the 'classic slots' sections of most online casinos and via reviews on this page. The reviews come with free-play demos where you’ll start to appreciate just how easy they are to play.

Firstly, we advise you to read our classic slot game reviews on this page and use the free-play option, so you can spin the reels and check out what the gameplay entails. If you like what you see, then it's time to look for an online casino or time to bet real money.

Almost every casino has a collection of classic slots. Some casinos will have a dedicated section packed out with 3-reel classics. Here you will find a mix of basic 1, 3 and 5 pay line variants as well as those with modern features such as free spins, bonus games, multipliers, wild symbols, and jackpots.

Also, feel free to check out our online casino reviews, which mention whether the casino offers classic casino slot games. You will also be able to claim a bonus, so you can spin away on these 3-reel classics using bonus money that could be converted into real money if you hit a winning streak.

The Pros and Cons of Classic Slots

Pros

• Low volatility - While there are some classic slots with medium and even high volatility, most usually have low volatility. This means they will payout quite frequently, although in smaller sums on average. This will suit somebody that is new to slots or does not have the biggest bankroll.
• Easy to play - With just a few paylines and no real bonus features, most classic slots are simple to play. Just hit spin and hope you land a winning symbol combination. You will not have to contend with confusing reel formats or bonus games.
• Nostalgic - Classic slots take you back to the days of penny slots at land-based casinos. They also remind you of how video slots have evolved over the years to what they are now.

Cons

• Not many bonuses - If you enjoy the bonuses on modern slots, you may not enjoy playing classic slots. These, more often than not, will not offer much more than a wild or perhaps a multiplier.

START PLAYING

If you want to test out free classic slots, check out the reviews on this page. Each comes with a demo game version so you can spin the reels and see if you enjoy playing these classic casino slot games.

Classic slots are the perfect introduction to online gambling. The betting choices are basic, the minimum bets are affordable, and the payout is simple to learn. In fact, the bets are so low on some game variants they picked up the nickname ‘penny slots’. On top of this, some old casino games also included progressive jackpots and were the original founders of this jackpot system. For example, the Play’n GO software provider still has its 3-reel Golden Goal 3-reel 1 pay line jackpot title produced way back in 2013. FYI, Progressive slots have jackpots that gradually build until a single player wins it all.

If you are looking for 3-reel classics, there is certainly no shortage of amazing classic casino games, and too many to list here as suggestions.

Classic slots popular at online casinos:

• Break Da Bank (Microgaming)
• Double Diamond (IGT)
• Mega Joker (NetEnt)
• Diamond Strike (Pragmatic Play)
• Triple Diamond (IGT)
• Doubles (Yggdrasil)
• Charlie Chance Hell to Pay (Play'n GO)

Classic Slots FAQ