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

Ten years ago, if you had walked in to a Vegas casino then you definitely may have seen a floor packed with serious slot players. A mix of people from many various backgrounds, but all of them sitting motionless, transfixed through 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 and get rich easy, rather than being a fun and enjoyable pass-time. Back then, the thought of a slot machine as being a prime source of entertainment was, to be honest, laughable

However, things have changed.

The new generation of players are different. They may be 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 things which a common slot player wants to see.

On the flip side, that will not 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 of the ‘Bells and Whistles’ which accompany.

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

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

Having been entertained by 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 trusted slots online. This is the positive change. Players are now seeking value in the form of entertainment.

This value concept is just not exclusive to the Vegas Casino player, though, it has also hit the on-line slot world.

The prime example of this new concentrate on value could be the popularity of online slot tournaments. Online slot tournaments allow slot players to compete against real people, rather than against the casino. Therefore there’s absolutely no ‘house edge’. Plus, there is a social aspect to the tournament play which is completely new and adds to the enjoyment.

For this reason, where is the value in playing a slot tournament?

Well, for a start, every player starting a tournament has the exact same chance of winning one of the top prizes that everyone 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 can win a lot of cash without having to wager a cent. In fact, if you are aware where to look, you shall find regular slot tourneys out there which have one hundred thousand dollars in prize money pools as well as a top prizes of $50,000!

Just like the way that poker tournaments revolutionised online poker play, slot tournaments possess the possibility to become the number one of the ways of getting that type of value from online slots”

For this reason, whether you are visiting Vegas or going for a break from your daily activities to play online, bear in mind the aim should be to have fun, know your limits and treat it as being an entertainment