If you’ve played classic slot machines, one-armed bandits, or fruit machine slot games, you must have noticed the fruit symbols on their reels. Where did they come from, and why images of fruits? We’ll attempt to show you how they first appeared and why nearly all retro 3-reel machines use fruit symbols.
Why Do Slot Machines Use Fruit Symbols?
To understand the origins of fruit symbols on reels, we must go to the beginning.
The introduction of fruit symbols began after the slot machine ban in the early 1900s. Establishments wanted to entertain their regulars while obeying the laws, so they found a loophole.
Players couldn’t win cash as a prize, so manufacturers awarded chewing gum instead. The BAR symbol represented a pack of chewing gum, with the other fruit symbols representing different chewing gum flavours.
The possible fruit slots symbols include plums, cherries, lemons, oranges, and watermelons. They can appear alongside other traditional symbols like 7s, stars, and bells.
What Fruits are on Slot Machines?
Fruit machine slots have come a long way since Mills Novelty Company plastered their BAR symbol on the reels. The industry has grown to accommodate 3-reel online slots with a classic touch. Instead of one-armed bandits, you can enjoy your favourite retro slots online.
Today, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds: 3-reel slots with a classic theme and no extra bonuses, and 5-reel video slots with a classic fruit theme and bonus features found in many modern slots. For example, you can see all your favourite fruit symbols in 7s Deluxe, but the game doesn’t have any bonus features.
Some 5-reel slots, on the other hand, allow players to enjoy their favourite retro-themed slot games in a modern setting. With the number of ways to win able to get into the hundreds of thousands in some slots, winning possibilities seem endless. Fruit Shop Megaways and Twin Spin are just some examples of classic fruit online slots with multiple ways to win.
What Does 3 Cherries Mean on a Slot Machine?
Spinning the reels could land you a winning combination of 3 matching symbols; this unlocks a win. If 3 cherries land simultaneously, they trigger a cash prize. It could also unlock a bonus feature in some slot games. Bonuses you might encounter include:
- Free Spins: If 3 or more matching special symbols land, they can win you a certain number of Free Spins. You can proceed to play these spins at no cost.
- Expanding Symbols: One of the fruit symbols can be a special symbol depending on the game you play. It may randomly land and expand to cover an entire reel.
- Wilds: If one of the fruit symbols is a wild symbol, it can replace regular symbols and could help to complete winning combinations.
- Multipliers: You can trigger multipliers in some fruit slots if a wild symbol completes winning combinations. For example, a successful wild win may trigger a 2x multiplier. Sometimes, you can encounter an increasing multiplier after a series of wins.
- Progressive Jackpots: If you land a certain symbol combination, you might trigger a progressive jackpot feature.
Where Can You Play Classic Fruit Machines Online?
Consider playing fruit machine slots online at Wizard Slots pay by mobile casino if you think they’re something you could enjoy. Here are a handful of the incredible classic fruit slots you can play online with an active Wizard Slots account:
Cheeky Fruits
Cheeky Fruits is a 5-reel classic fruit machine with all the usual fruit symbols making an appearance. They include; oranges, lemons, cherries, watermelons, and more. Other symbols you might encounter as you spin include; red 7s, gold stars, and bonus symbols. The red 7s award the highest payout among the base game symbols.
Scatter symbols can also appear on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th reels. For example, if 3 land simultaneously, they can trigger a Free Spins round. In addition, you could land stacked symbols on your first 10 Free Spins. For example, one of the fruit symbols can randomly land and occupy an entire reel.
Diamond Strike
Diamond Strike is one of the most popular fruit online slots from Pragmatic Play. One glance at the 5-reel and 15-payline game, and you can see it evokes a retro feel thanks to the cherries and other fruit symbols. If at least 3 scatters land, they trigger the Free Spins feature. The bonus kicks off with 8 Free Spins, but it is possible to re-trigger the feature.
Stacked Fire 7s
You can probably tell that this Inspired Gaming slot highlights different 7s symbols. For example, there are Fire 7s, Blue 7s, and Red 7s. The Fire 7s pay the highest value of up to 25x your stake.
Other symbols that can appear on the reels include fruits and bells. Not only does the game have an exciting base game, but there are also bonus features such as Free Spins, Wild symbols, and Stacked symbols. For example, you can win 8 bonus spins via the Free Spins round.
Conclusion
Now that you know the history behind fruit symbols on reels, we hope you have a deeper appreciation for retro-themed slot machines. It’s fascinating to imagine that today’s slot games have roots in the early 1900s.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to this slot game are subject to change at any time.