Slot machines are a mainstay of casino gambling. They seem to have been around for as long as the technology that has existed to make them and that technology has been improving all the time. The original slot machines consisted of a box containing three reels which were set into motion by pulling a handle once money has been deposited. If the reels landed on three matching symbols, you won. Simple as that.

Current slot machines are entirely computerized. The symbols come up on a video screen and the reels are set in motion by pushing a button, although some still have a handle that you can pull for that old time slot machine effect. Of course, on the Internet, all you have to do is point and click your mouse to set the reels in motion.

The basics of a slot machine are simple. You put one or more coins in the slot, push the button and hope three matching symbols come up. You can sometimes win if a particular symbol, like a cherry for example, comes up even once and some symbols may double or triple your payout if the other two symbols match. Whatever machine you use will have a chart with the payoffs clearly outlined. In online play, there will be a menu through which you can find out the payoffs.

There are a number of advantages to online slot play. For one, you dont have to worry about carrying your bulky bucket of coin winnings to a change window; you can just transfer them directly to your casino account. For another, there should be posted on the somewhere on the site information about payback. Payback is the amount each slot machine pays out for every dollar it takes in. A slot machine should payback at least 90 percent of every dollar and in some cases more. On the other hand, many people like the flashing lights and live clinking sounds of coins dropping into their tray and generally enjoy the full casino experience of live play. (Live casino tip: the machines with the most payback sit near the entrances to the casino, so potential players walking by can see slot players winning.)

You will often have the option of putting more than one coin into a slot machine at a time. Multiple coins will either multiply your payout when you win, or give you more ways to win (for example, you may see three symbols on each reel and if you match three across, horizontally, or diagonally you win).

When you play slots, be sure you know exactly how your machine is played, what multiple coins will get you and what symbols you need to get paid. If you dont like the payoffs, or the appearance of the machine, move to another one; there is no shortage of different machines out there to play. If you can find out what your machine pays back, do so and always look for paybacks over 90 percent. Good luck!