You're spinning the reels, the symbols are whizzing by, and you land a combination with a few of those classic, rectangular BAR symbols. You know it's a win, but you're left wondering: what do these things actually mean, and why are there single, double, and triple versions? It's not like they're cherries or sevens, which are self-explanatory. The BAR is a slot machine icon that feels steeped in history, a piece of gaming nostalgia that's survived the jump from mechanical levers to digital screens. Understanding its origin and value isn't just trivia—it can change how you view paytables and spot the highest-paying classic symbols in a game.
Contrary to popular belief, the BAR symbol has nothing to do with a literal bar where you might get a drink. Its history is a quirky tale of early 20th-century marketing and legal loopholes. In the early 1900s, the Mills Novelty Company was a major manufacturer of slot machines, which were often placed in bars, cigar shops, and bowling alleys as entertainment. To get around strict anti-gambling laws, these machines were sold as “gum dispensers.” Winning a spin would pay out not in coins, but in packs of chewing gum.
The highest-paying symbol on these machines was the logo of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company. That logo? It was a simple, horizontal rectangle with the word "BAR" written across it, representing the pack of gum itself. When a player lined up three of these Bell-Fruit gum pack logos, they'd hit the jackpot—a payout in gum. As these machines evolved and cash payouts became standard, the symbol persisted. It was simplified from the full logo to just the recognizable rectangular BAR, becoming a permanent fixture in slot machine iconography. So, when you see a BAR today, you're looking at a relic of the Prohibition era, a symbol born from a chewing gum company's branding.
If you've played classic three-reel slots, you've seen the variation: a BAR, a BAR with two lines (Double BAR), and a BAR with three lines (Triple BAR). This wasn't just a design choice; it was a clever way to create more winning combinations and a more engaging paytable on machines with limited symbols.
On a traditional machine, the Triple BAR is typically the highest-paying standard symbol, followed by the Double BAR, and then the Single BAR. A combination of three Triple BARs would pay the most, then three Double BARs, and so on. Mixing them—like getting two Triple BARs and a Double BAR—might also result in a smaller win, depending on the specific game's paytable. This tiered system added depth to what were otherwise very simple games. In modern video slots, this hierarchy is often maintained in classic-style bonus games or as higher-paying icons alongside more thematic symbols.
You won't find the classic BAR on every digital slot today, but its legacy is everywhere. Game developers use it in two key ways. First, in dedicated "classic" or "retro" slot games designed to mimic the old-school mechanical experience. Titles like Triple Red Hot 7s, Double Diamond, or Blazing 7s often feature BAR symbols prominently, keeping the traditional hierarchy intact. Playing these games is a direct link to slot history.
Second, the concept of the BAR has evolved. You'll see its spiritual successors in almost any slot. The idea of a special, high-paying standard symbol (distinct from Wilds or Scatters) comes straight from the BAR's playbook. For example, in an Egyptian-themed slot, a golden scarab might function as the "Triple BAR" equivalent—the top-paying regular symbol. In a fantasy game, it could be a glowing amulet or a crown. Recognizing this pattern helps you quickly scan a paytable: look for the one or two non-bonus symbols that offer a payout 5x to 10x your line bet for a three-of-a-kind match. That's your modern BAR.
Let's get concrete. Imagine a classic online slot like IGT's Cleopatra Gold. While it has thematic symbols, its core is classic. A typical paytable for a BAR-style symbol set might look like this for a max bet:
Triple BAR (3x) – 500 coins
Double BAR (3x) – 200 coins
Single BAR (3x) – 50 coins
Any BAR (3x) – 25 coins
Notice the last line: "Any BAR." This is a common and valuable holdover from mechanical slots. It means a combination of three different BAR symbols (one Single, one Double, one Triple) still counts as a lower-tier win. This increased the hit frequency, making the game feel more rewarding even when you didn't land the perfect match. When you're checking out a classic slot, always look for this "Any BAR" or "Mixed BAR" payline—it significantly boosts your chances of a winning spin.
Knowing the BAR's role changes how you approach these games. Since classic BAR slots usually have fewer paylines (often 1, 3, 5, or 9) and less volatile gameplay, your strategy should focus on managing your bankroll for longer sessions. The wins from BAR combinations will be smaller but more frequent compared to the rare jackpot hit from lining up, say, three 7s. If you're playing a multi-denomination machine, you can often choose your coin value. A common tactic is to play the maximum number of coins (which is frequently required to unlock the top jackpot for the 7s symbol) but at a lower coin denomination to stretch your budget. The BARs will provide a steady stream of small returns while you chase the bigger prizes.
In the pantheon of classic slot symbols, each has its rank. The progression typically goes: Cherries (lowest), Bells, Single BAR, Double BAR, Triple BAR, and then the 7s (highest, often the jackpot trigger). The BAR family sits squarely in the mid-to-high range. Bells usually pay for a two-symbol combination, making them frequent small winners. The BARs, however, almost always require a three-symbol match across a payline, but they pay substantially more than bells when you hit them. They are the workhorse symbols for medium-sized wins. Understanding this hierarchy lets you gauge the excitement of a spin instantly—seeing two Triple BARs line up on the first two reels creates a genuine anticipation that the next classic symbol doesn't quite match.
The different BARs (single, double, triple) were created to expand the paytable on early mechanical slots with limited space for symbols. They act as tiers: three Triple BARs pay the most, three Double BARs pay less, and three Single BARs pay the least. This created more potential winning combinations and made the games more engaging. It's a design relic that became a beloved standard.
In virtually all classic slot machines that use the BAR symbol set, the Triple BAR (the one with three horizontal lines through the rectangle) is the highest-paying BAR symbol. It is typically only outranked by the game's top jackpot symbol, which is often a 7 or a specific logo. Always check the game's paytable to confirm, but the rule of thumb is: more lines on the BAR equals a higher payout.
No, not at all. BAR symbols are primarily found on classic, retro, or three-reel slot machines designed to emulate the look and feel of physical, mechanical slots. Most modern video slots—the ones with elaborate themes like ancient Egypt, mythology, or movies—use thematic symbols instead. However, the *concept* of the BAR lives on as a high-paying standard symbol in almost every game.
The "Any BAR" line on a paytable is a crucial feature. It means that a combination of three different BAR symbols—for example, one Single, one Double, and one Triple BAR—will still award a win. This payout is smaller than landing three of the same BAR, but it dramatically increases your hit frequency. It's a classic rule that makes traditional slots feel more rewarding on more spins.
Yes, historically, they did. The BAR symbol originated as the logo for the Bell-Fruit Gum Company. Early 20th-century slot machines were often marketed as "gum dispensers" to circumvent gambling laws. Winning combinations would pay out in packs of chewing gum, with the BAR (Bell-Fruit's logo) representing the top prize. When machines began dispensing cash, the symbol stayed, losing its direct gum association but keeping its name and design.