Fruit machines
The British slot machine: three reels, holds, nudges and a feature board.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Found in pubs, clubs and arcades.
- Holds and nudges.
- Lower stakes and prizes than online.
- Often lower RTP.
In shortA fruit machine is the British name for a slot machine, especially the pub and arcade kind with hold and nudge buttons and a feature trail.
What makes one British
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Hold | Keep one or more reels for the next spin |
| Nudge | Step a reel up or down one position |
| Feature trail | A board climbed by landing numbers, leading to a cash or feature prize |
| Hi-lo gamble | Guess higher or lower to climb the prize ladder |
Each feature in full
Stakes and prizes
A typical pub machine, known as Category C, has a maximum stake of £1 and a maximum prize of £100. See UK machine categories.
Is there skill?
Holds and nudges are decisions, and good ones help a little. The return is still set by the machine.
Online fruit machines
Online slots with fruit symbols are ordinary video slots. Fishin' Frenzy and Fluffy Favourites come from studios with roots in British machines.
Keep reading: From mechanical to online, Coral Casino slot machines, Slot machine bankroll guide and Paylines and ways to win.
The feature trail
Numbers on the reels move you along a trail of lights. Reaching the end opens a board of prizes: cash, nudges, a repeat chance or a jackpot. Much of the machine's return is paid through this board.
Go further: Slot machines in Britain, The bell symbol and Low stake slot machines.
In other words
Fruit machines are also called fruities, AWPs (amusement with prizes), pub slots and, in parts of Scotland, puggies.
Keep reading: Slot machine myths, Starburst vs Book of Dead, Fishing slot machines and Jackpots.
Slot figures are developers' published defaults, each confirmed against two sources; the version at your casino can differ. UK land-based stake and prize limits and online rule dates were checked against Gambling Commission and licensing authority sources on 6 October 2026. History follows commonly cited accounts. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fruit machine?
The British name for a slot machine.
What is the maximum prize in a pub?
Typically £100.
What are nudges?
Moves that step a reel one position.
Are they the same as online slots?
No; lower stakes and usually lower RTP.