Slot machines are instantly recognisable, and one of their most common symbols is the word “BAR.” It is everywhere on classic fruit machines and modern video slots alike, yet its meaning is not always obvious.
This blog post explains what BAR stands for, where it came from, and how single, double and triple BARs usually work in paytables. You will also find clear examples of how BAR symbols appear in games, how they relate to RTP, and why they are still used today.
Along the way, we address common myths so you can read paytables with confidence and understand what BAR does and does not do during play.
What Does The BAR Symbol Mean On A Slot Machine?
The BAR symbol is a standard icon used on many slot machines. It does not provide special features by itself. Like fruit or bell symbols, it is simply one of the outcomes that can land on a payline.
When BAR symbols line up according to the game’s paytable, they may form a winning combination. Many slots include single, double and triple BARs, with different values assigned to each. Their role is to help make up sets of matching symbols or, in some games, mixed BAR lines.
As with every symbol on a slot, appearances are decided by the game’s random number generator. That means BAR has no influence over the result and cannot change the odds of any spin.
With that in mind, where did BAR come from in the first place?
What Is The Origin Of The BAR Symbol?
The BAR symbol dates back to the early 1900s, when gambling restrictions meant some machines paid out sweets or chewing gum instead of cash. Fruit icons matched the flavours on offer.
The symbol is commonly linked to the Bell-Fruit Gum Company, whose branding featured a bold rectangular “BAR.” Printing this mark on reels helped identify their machines and fit the gum-payout model. The image stuck, and when cash payouts returned, BAR stayed on the reels as a familiar shorthand for a classic slot symbol.
Its survival is largely about tradition. Even as technology moved from mechanical parts to digital screens, the simple rectangle remained an easy way to signal a straightforward, recognisable prize symbol.
Types Of BAR Symbols And Their Payouts
Most slots that use BARs include three versions: single, double and triple. Each has a distinct look and a typical hierarchy of values set by the game’s rules.
The exact figures always come from the paytable, which also reflects line count and bet size. Some titles pay for mixed BAR lines, while others require matching sets only. A quick check of the game information shows which approach is used.
Single BAR
A single BAR is usually one solid rectangle. It often sits at the lower end of the BAR payout scale, awarding smaller line wins when matched in the required number.
Some games also count single BARs towards mixed BAR combinations, offering a modest prize when combined with double or triple BARs.
Double BAR
A double BAR normally shows two rectangles together. It tends to pay more than a single BAR when three of them line up, and in some games, it contributes to mixed BAR wins as well.
The value difference between single and double BARs is set by the developer and listed alongside the other symbols in the paytable.
Triple BAR
A triple BAR shows three stacked rectangles. In most games, it is the highest-paying BAR symbol.
Depending on the slot, a line made up of any mix of single, double and triple BARs may return a smaller prize than a line of three identical triple BARs. The paytable sets out these distinctions clearly.
Do BAR Symbols Affect Your Chances Of Winning?
No. BAR symbols do not increase or decrease the probability of a win. They are part of the symbol set used by the game’s software, and the random number generator decides the outcome of each spin independently.
What BAR can affect is the size of a win when a valid line forms. Different BAR combinations often have different payout amounts, which are shown in the paytable. The underlying odds of a spin, however, are the same regardless of which symbol appears.
If you choose to play, set limits that suit your circumstances and only spend what you can afford.
How Are BAR Symbols Displayed In Paytables And RTP?
In the paytable, BAR symbols are shown with their corresponding prizes for the number of matches needed and, where relevant, for mixed BAR lines. The information scales with stake size, so the figures you see adjust when you change your bet.
RTP, or Return to Player, is listed separately. It is a long-term theoretical figure that shows the proportion of total stakes the game is designed to return to players, on average, over time, such as 96% equating to £96 back for every £100 wagered in the long run. It is not a prediction for any single session, and it does not change how BAR symbols behave on your next spin.
With the basics in place, it is worth looking at why developers still include BAR on modern reels.
Why Do Modern Slots Still Use BAR Symbols?
BAR endures because it instantly signals a classic slot experience. Developers use it to create a familiar frame of reference, especially when a game takes inspiration from fruit machines or early electromechanical cabinets.
For players, BAR makes it easy to read the reels at a glance. Single, double and triple versions give a clear visual ladder of potential line values. This clarity translates well from physical machines to online games, which helps BAR retain its place even in titles with contemporary features.
Its presence is a design choice, not a gameplay modifier. BAR complements a theme and keeps the reel display easy to understand.
BAR Symbols In Mechanical Versus Electronic Slots
On mechanical machines, BARs are printed on physical reels. A win occurs when the reels stop with matching symbols aligned on a payline, based on the reel layout and number of stops.
In electronic and online slots, BARs are rendered on-screen. The result of each spin is produced by software before the reels visually settle into place. The look and values are familiar, but the display is digital rather than physical.
In both cases, BAR is a standard paying symbol that contributes to line wins as defined by the game’s rules.
Now that the symbol’s role is clear, how do you quickly check what a particular game pays for it?
How To Identify BAR Payouts On A Slot Machine
The paytable is the reference point for BAR values. It lists single, double and triple BARs, the number of symbols needed, and any payouts for mixed BAR lines. Many games make this information easy to reach from an info or menu button, and some show it on the cabinet itself.
You will also see how payouts scale with your chosen stake, which helps you understand the relative difference between, for example, three single BARs and three triple BARs. Once you have glanced at these figures, the reels become much easier to read as you play.
Knowing what the lines pay does not change the outcome of a spin, but it does make it simpler to recognise when a combination has landed.
Common Myths About BAR Symbols Debunked
- “More BARs on the reels means better odds.” The number of BAR icons shown is a design choice. It does not reveal the chances of any result.
- “BARs are due after a dry spell.” Spins are independent. Previous results do not make BAR more or less likely to appear next.
- “BAR triggers bigger wins by itself.” Payout size comes from the paytable. BAR can form higher or lower line wins depending on the combination, but it does not alter the game’s underlying odds.
If gambling starts to affect your wellbeing or finances, seek help early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential support.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.