Most famous symbols: cherries, lemons, watermelons, BAR, 7
Introduction
Fruit slots are the roots of modern gambling. Their recognizable symbols - cherry, lemon, watermelon, BAR and "seven" - became icons of the genre. To understand why these pictures still arouse excitement and trust among players, consider the origin of each, its game functions and evolution.
1. Cherry
History: One of the first "fruit" replacements for old tobacco symbols. Beginning in 1907, the operator of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company offered cherry-flavored chewing gum as a win - cherry replaced tobacco.
Role in payments:- Three in a row: 2-5 coins (depends on the machine)
- Two in a row: often a small "compensation" in one coin
- Single cherry (on centre line): small payout or extra backs
- Psychology: Bright red stimulates risk appetite and is subconsciously associated with "quick" gain; frequent "small victories" create a pleasant rhythm of the game.
2. Lemon
Origin: the lemon appeared after the cherry - symbolized a more "sour" and rare gain.
Functions:- Three lemons: average prize, usually double the cherry
- Two in a row: rarely paid in classic cars
- Visual contrast: yellow color is perfectly readable on a metal background, dilutes the design and emphasizes the variety of characters.
3. Watermelon
Introduction: Appeared in 1960s electromechanical slots as the "second most valuable" fruit after cherry and lemon.
Payments:- Three watermelons: a large base gain (often × 10- × 20 of the base rate)
- Aesthetics: green striped crust and bright red flesh create an expressive visual accent, signaling a more significant prize.
4. BAR symbol
Roots: in 1930, the creators of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company placed the BAR logo on their machines; the symbol quickly took hold as a "wild" or mid-value symbol.
Options: single BAR, double BAR, triple BAR - each "depth" increases the payout.
Mechanics:- Three triple BAR: one of the most generous prizes in the classic set (× 50- × 100)
- Combinations of different BARs (e.g. single + double + triple): average payouts
- Psychology: BAR is perceived as a "trusted" symbol of the tobacco era - it evokes nostalgia and associations with the "good old honest machine."
5. "Seven" (7)
Play significance: The number seven was historically considered a lucky number in Western culture; in slots, she often becomes the highest paid base symbol.
Payouts: three "sevens" - the maximum standard payout without a jackpot, up to × 200 of the bet.
Variations: red "7" on a gold background, sometimes animated when dropped.
Psychology: the combination of "seven" and star bonuses reinforces the belief in a "successful set of circumstances."
6. Comprehensive payout analysis
7. Evolution and modern variations
Multiplier fruits: Wild fruit (black cherry, gilded lemon) with a multiplier × 2- × 5 with participation in a combination.
Cascades and "fruit rain": after winning, the symbols disappear, new fruits "fall" from above, creating a chain of payments.
Megaways fruit: up to hundreds of thousands of ways to win combined with classic symbols.
3D animation: realistic fruit models, voluminous BAR blocks and animated "7," enhancing the effect of "big win."
8. Psychological aspects
1. Frequency of small winnings: Cherries and lemons create a "smooth" experience of the game, keeping interest.
2. Risk reward: Watermelon and BAR encourage bets above the minimum wage, stimulating excitement.
3. Symbolism of luck: the "seven" and the bell (sometimes found) reinforce the belief in the "luck" of the moment.
4. Nostalgia and trust: The classic character set is associated with honesty and a long-term relationship with the player.
Conclusion
Cherries, lemons, watermelons, BAR and the "seven" are not just pictures, but the historical code of the genre of fruit machines. Their clear color contrasts, different levels of payments and psychological attractiveness make them the unchanging leaders in the game portfolios of terrestrial pokie clubs and online casinos. Modern technologies have only expanded their functionality, but the key principles of simplicity, frequency of victories and nostalgia have remained the same "sweet taste" of eternal classics.
