The History of the One Armed Bandit Machine

If you have ever been to a casino before you will have no doubt noticed a variety of different slot Machines and one armed bandits dotted around the room, but do you know about the history of the one armed bandit machines.

 

The first slot machines were thought to be invented in 1887 by a gentleman called Charles Fey, though according to some reports the year was actually 1895. He designed a machine that contained five symbols, diamonds, spades, hearts, horseshoes and a Liberty Bell, symbols that were randomly placed on three reels. The machines were initially called 'Liberty Bells' because of the inclusion of the bell and the slot machines and one armed bandits as we know today were born.

 

At the beginning of the 20^th century the machines were proving to be very popular and could be found in all different types of locations, from bowling alleys to barber shops and tobacconists to saloon bars. In Nevada the original slot machine is still on display today at the Liberty Belle Saloon and Restaurant in Reno.

 

In 1891 a machine designed by Sittman and Pitt was introduced with the emphasis being on that of playing poker. The machines had five reels with 50 cards on each and the idea was to hopefully get a good poker hand. The 10 of hearts and the jack of spades were omitted from the reels, which made obtaining a royal flush twice as hard. There were no automatic prizes like there are today, but back then each individual saloon owner or shop owner would provide their own prize. History tells us that a pair or three of a kind would have won a drink, or a royal flush may have won a cigar and a round of drinks.

 

These early machines were operated by entering a coin into the slot and pulling the lever, hence the term one armed bandit. Many people though the machines were a game of skill, but because of the missing cards it was actually a game of chance, more like the slot machines and one armed bandit machines we know and love today.

 

A one armed bandit machine would make a great addition to any Las Vegas themed party or any type of casino theme party. They are easily installed and anyone can play as the machines simply use tokens, so there is no gambling involved which makes the one armed bandit machines fun to play for all age groups.