If you’ve played classic 3-reel fruit machine slots online before, you might have seen a BAR symbol. It’s one of the symbols that can appear alongside cherries, melons, grapes, and more. Retro 3-reel slots are a crucial part of gambling history because they paved the way for modern 5-reel video slots.
Fruit machine symbols like BAR symbols inspired the creation of modern symbols in slots. We’ll explore why the BAR symbol stands out most among fruit symbols and their history.
What Does BAR Mean on Slot Machines?
BAR is one of the symbols in classic fruit machine symbols. It can land randomly and is usually a standard non-special symbol in slots, similar to melons, cherries, plums, 7s, grapes and others.
BAR symbols can appear in a small box in singles, doubles, or threes, depending on the slot game you’re playing. They’re usually one of the top-paying symbols.
Where Does BAR Come From on Slots?
If you’ve ever wondered about the history behind BAR symbols, we’ve got you covered. It all started in the early 1900s when one-armed bandit machines were prohibited. Players couldn’t gamble for cash, so establishments found a loophole. They thought to reward players with packs of gum as payouts.
Mill Novelty Company was the first to release mechanical fruit slot machines. Their company logo was a pack of gum. So, the BAR slot symbol honours Mill Novelty’s rectangular pack of gum.
Soon, the other fruit slot machine symbols, like cherries, lemons, and so on, represented the different gum flavours. That explains why the BAR symbol often pays higher than some of the other symbols.
Most Popular Online BAR Slots
New fruit machine slot games are debuting every day, but a few stand out. They include;
7s Deluxe by Reel Time Gaming
7s Deluxe captures the essence of a classic fruit machine slot. Not only does it come with a BAR symbol worth up to 20x your stake, but it’s the 7s that take centre stage. There’s a flaming 77 and a regular 77 worth up to 250x your stake and 100x your stake, respectively.
You won’t find any bonus features in 7s Deluxe, but the slot has a potential maximum payout of 1,250x your stake.
Twin Spin by NetEnt
Twin Spin proves that BAR symbols don’t necessarily need to be associated with retro 3 reelers. The NetEnt slot has 5 reels and 243 ways to win.
Wild symbols may also appear during the spins to possibly help complete winning combinations. Each spin begins with 2 adjacent reels combining and showcasing matching symbols. More reels can link in the course of your spins.
9 Blazing Diamonds by Spin Play
The 5-reel and 25-payline 9 Blazing Diamonds slot by Spin Play has a fiery theme. Symbols you might encounter on the crimson reels include; dollar signs, cherries, bells, and 2 different BAR symbols.
The BAR symbols could deliver a decent payout, but the 7, 77, and the flaming 777s are the highest-paying symbols. If 3 or more land, they can pay 2x your stake. 9 Blazing Diamonds has bonus features available, unlike many BAR slots.
For example, you can trigger up to 30 Free Spins. You could also trigger a Blazing Diamond feature and the Blazing Wheel feature.
Conclusion
Knowing the history behind fruit symbols on the reels helps you appreciate these retro slots more. Often overlooked, retro 3 reel slots stand out because they acted as the blueprint for modern slots.
Scan the fruit machine-themed slots available to play online at Wizard Slots (including the 3 listed above) to see which BAR slots appeal to you.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to this slot game are subject to change at any time.