The chances are, unless you’ve been to Vegas recently, the image you have in your mind, might be one that is trapped in time.

10 years ago, if you had walked into a Vegas casino then you may have seen a floor packed with serious slot players. A mixture of people from many different backgrounds, but all of them sitting motionless, transfixed by the reels in hope of hitting a big jackpot.

Back in those days, gambling really was just about the gambling. The main reason to play was to try to get rich easy, rather than being a fun and enjoyable pass-time. Back then, the idea of a slot machine as being a prime source of entertainment was, to be honest, laughable

On the contrary, things have changed.

The new generation of players are different. They are used to living in a world that stimulates the senses at every turn. Videos, computer graphics, vibrant soundtracks and cartoon-style entertainment are among the issues which a typical slot player desires to see.

Alternatively, that doesn’t mean the slot floor is now the exclusive domain of young players. Indeed, far from it. Many of the greater ‘experienced’ folk have also taken on the electronic lifestyle and enjoy all the ‘Bells and Whistles’ that come with.

Well, when you visit a casino currently, the first thing that could strike you is the intensity and the atmosphere created by the high-tech images and sounds on the slot floor. Games now feature arcade-style graphics, videos, interactive bonus rounds as well as a whole host of other previously unimaginable features

Probably the most amazing thing to see is the fact that people are playing for pure fun. Yes, you did read that right – they can be playing for fun! You will see people laughing and joking with each other as they play the slot bonus feature rounds. Some will even be singing along to the theme tunes!

Having been entertained through the slots, a modern player could leave a playing session having spent $50 or so feeling completely satisfied that they have had some fun, been entertained as well as in no way feeling downbeat and dejected at having ‘lost’ on the professional slots game. This really is the big difference. Players are now seeking value within the form of entertainment.

This value concept isn’t exclusive to the Vegas Casino player, though, it has also hit the on-line slot world.

The prime example of this new focus on value could be the recognition of online slot tournaments. Online slot tournaments allow slot players to compete against real people, rather than against the casino. This implies there isn’t any ‘house edge’. Plus, there is a social aspect to the tournament play that’s completely new and adds to the enjoyment.

As such, where is the value in playing a slot tournament?

Well, for a start, every player starting a tournament has the same chance of winning one of the top prizes that everybody else has. You get to play longer, for less money, yet still possess the chance to win big. Many casinos now even have free online slot tournaments, so you may win lots of money without having to wager a cent. In reality, if you are aware where to look, you will find regular slot tourneys out there which have $100,000 in prize money pools as well as a top prizes of fifty thousand dollars!

The same as the way that poker tournaments revolutionised online poker play, slot tournaments possess the potential to get to be the number a proven way of getting that type of value from online slots”

As a result, whether you are visiting Vegas or going for a break from your daily activities to play online, take into account that the aim should be to have fun, know your limits and treat it being an entertainment