If you are enthusiastic about classic three-reel slots at online casinos, you are familiar with the usual symbols. For instance, you have noticed the lemons, cherries, bells, and slot machine BAR symbol. But unlike the other popular symbols, the BAR seems insignificant in maintaining the game’s theme.

Then, why do so many slots contain the BAR symbol? Find out all the necessary information about the BAR symbol from this article.

Understanding the Slot Machine BAR Symbol

The BAR symbol is common in fruit-themed slots. The symbol is usually a small box with the letters BAR in it. Different slot game developers have different iterations of the BAR symbol. Sometimes, one symbol has BAR written twice or thrice on them.

The value of the BAR symbol differs across fruit slots. In most slots, the BAR symbol is the second-highest paying symbol. The value of the slot machine BAR symbol often falls between the 7 and fruit symbols.

Some slots also contain more than one BAR symbol. If that’s the case, the one with the BAR word written most often on it will offer the highest payout.

History of the BAR Symbol

Have you ever wondered what the slot machine BAR symbol means? In simple terms, the BAR symbol is associated with chewing gums.

In the 1900s, the US government banned gambling. But gambling businesses were looking forward to keeping customers entertained without breaking any law. That’s why they started offering gum instead of cash payouts. Cherries and lemons became popular slot symbols because they are gum flavors.

In 1909, Industry Novelty Company was the first to introduce fruit-themed slots in the gambling industry. After that, Mills Novelty Company in Chicago created similar slots with one difference. They were the first to introduce the BAR symbol in the reel.

The first iteration of the BAR symbol was the photo of a gum pack. It was replaced by the BAR symbol that we are familiar with today. But this is just one of the theories behind introducing the BAR symbol.

Another interesting theory believes that the BAR symbol represents the logo of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company. In those days, casinos gave players gums from the company when they were able to match the correct symbols on the paylines.

Bell Fruit Gum Company

While these theories are captivating, believing them becomes difficult if you take chronology into account. When fruit slots were introduced, no companies were selling bars or packs of gums. However, to back these theories, some people say that the slot machine BAR symbol was a promotion for the gum packs that would be available in the market in the future.

Popular Online Slots with the BAR Symbol

A few famous online slots that contain the BAR symbol are as follows:

Progressive Diamond Jackpot- Betsoft

Progressive Diamond Jackpot, developed by Betsoft, follows the theme of Las Vegas one-pay line slots in the 1970s. You will encounter one, two, and three stacked BAR symbols in the game. The three-stacked BAR symbol offers the highest payout.
You can get payouts by matching three BAR symbols with four coins. The other symbols in the game include the Cherry, Diamond, and 7 symbols. You will receive two coins when you get one cherry in a reel. Getting two cherries will help you earn four coins.

This online slot comes with the progressive jackpot feature. You must bet 3 coins and match three diamonds to win a jackpot.

Twin Spin By NetEnt

Twin Spin is a minimalist fruit slot developed by NetEnt. The Twin Reel feature in the game makes two to five random reels with the same symbols. The game also provides 243 winning paylines with wild and mechanical symbols. Three Twin Rels from the left will help you generate a significant win.

If you get five Twin Reels, you will receive unusually high payouts. If you can match 3 BAR symbols in the game, you will receive 15 coins. You will get 100 and 400 coins for matching 4 and 5 BAR symbols, respectively.

Retro Reels: Diamond Glitz By Microgaming

This slot game developed by Microgaming oozes our fortune and luxury. This game’s slot machine BAR symbol comes in one, two, and three stacked versions with diamond symbols. If you can match three BAR symbols, you will gain a payout of 5 coins. You will get 20 and 75 coins for matching four and five symbols, respectively.

9 Blazing Diamonds by Spin Play

9 Blazing Diamonds by Spin Play comes with 5 reels and 25 paylines. The fiery crimson theme of the game makes it quite interesting. The symbols in the slot game include cherries, bells, dollar signs, and 2 BAR symbols.

The BAR symbols can provide decent payouts to players. But the 7, 77, and 777s offer the highest payouts. If you can land 3 or more of the 7s, you will receive twice your stake.

Unlike most BAR slots, 9 Blazing Diamonds come with bonus features. One of the best bonuses includes 30 free spins. Apart from that, the game’s Blazing Wheel and Blazing Diamond features also impress players.

7s Deluxe by Reel Time Gaming

7s Deluxe perfectly captures the nostalgia of the classic fruit slot games. The slot comes with a BAR symbol that can increase your wins considerably. Once you get the BAR symbol, you can raise your stake 20 times.

Apart from the BAR symbol, the 7s in the game are also quite impressive. You will find a regular 77 that will increase your stake 100 times. Meanwhile, the flaming 77 can raise your stake 250 times.

Unfortunately, 7s Deluxe does not offer any bonus features. However, you can get a maximum payout of 1250 times your stake.

Is the BAR Symbol Still Popular?

Online slots have evolved dramatically since the inception of the classic three-reel slots. Nowadays, online slots come with additional paylines, payouts, and reels. Recently, video slots have generated high revenue for online casinos.

Some players still seek the traditional feel of a three-reel slot. But gamblers also look for immensely immersive experiences from slot games. Modern slot machines come with videos, bonuses, animations, and exciting gameplay to deliver a memorable experience to players.

But despite the modern features in online slots, the slot machine BAR symbol continues to appear in various games. Sometimes, developers include the BAR symbol to provide a retro feel to a classic slot. At other times, it is added to create a point of comparison between standard and high-paying symbols.

Closing Thoughts

When you learn the history of the slot machine BAR symbol, you will feel more excited about playing these games. Despite the contemporary online slots, the traditional games with the BAR symbol are still quite popular because of their high payouts. Check out some slots with BAR symbols today and immerse yourself in the fun of fruit-themed slots.