Slots have become the most popular form of gambling in both online and brick-and-mortar casinos across the world, and one of the reasons for this surge in popularity is the fact that they’re so easy to use. Anyone, with any level of skill, can begin playing immediately in order to vie for the jackpots these engaging games payout.
However, while the game is easy to pick up, there are a fair number of terms that you need to pick up in order to increase your odds of winning. Here are some of the most common definitions you’ll want to be aware of:
Annuity Winner
Some slot machines payout jackpots in annuities over a number of years.
Bet
This term should be pretty self-explanatory. The bet is the amount of money that you’re wagering each time you play. Betting more increases your chances of winning more, though you can also place bets on different pay lines to increase your odds of winning.
Bet Max
The maximum amount that can be wagered on a single bet.
Bonus Game
An outcome includes a wild symbol, which allows players to receive a free spin.
Coin
The currency denomination used to play. Generally, they’re known as virtual coins for online slots.
Cold Slots
A slot machine with a poor payout.
Classic Slots
Original slot machines that have three reels and can have more than one payline. This term should not be confused with slots at a land-based casino, because online casinos use classic slots as well.
Denomination
The value of each credit a player receives for their wagers. For example, dollar slot machines are known as dollar denominations.
Free Spin
An extra spin that a player earns on a bonus slot machine.
Fruit Machine
Fruit machines are the UK version of slots. They have special rules that may not be found on American and other European slots.
Hit
The term is when the player wins a slot.
Hit and Run
A player that only plays a slot machine once if they don’t receive a payout.
Hit Rate
The odds of a player hitting a winning combination. The hit rate may also be referred to as the “payout rate.”
Hold Percentage
The percentage of money that the households back from players. In general, this is expressed as a statistical average.
Jackpot
The most valuable prize a player can win.
Multi-Denominational
These slots allow players to make bets with several different denominations of currency.
Multi-line
A slot machine that allows players to place bets on multiple pay lines.
Near Miss
An outcome that is very close to the pay line the player bet on or another winning combination.
One-Armed Bandit
A term often used to refer to any slot machine. The term originated thanks to the pull lever found on early-generation physical slot machines (the machine’s “arm”), and because players can lose a lot of money if they bet for too long.
One Liner
A slot machine with a single reel where players only need to line up three symbols to create a winning combination.
Pay Line
The line of numbers and symbols after the reels are spun. The player places a bet on one or more pay lines before spinning.
Payout
The winnings that a player will receive if the pay line they bet on is displayed. The payout varies by slot machine and isn’t always set by the number of possible pay lines.
Progressive Jackpot
A slot machine that has a jackpot that increases over time.
Progressive Slots
Several slot machines together share the same jackpot.
Progressive Ticker
In a progressive jackpot, this ticker informs the players what the current payout for a jackpot is.
Random Number Generator (RNG)
Random number generators create random combinations of outcomes based on complex algorithms. They have been used for slots in land-based casinos for years, but are used in all online slots as well.
Reels
The wheels on a slot machine. Each reel has different numbers and symbols that make up the pay line.
Scatter
Scatter symbols guarantee a payout regardless of the line they appear.
Slot Club Member
Many casinos offer membership to players. Once enrolled, these members may be eligible for special bonuses.
Slot Schedule
A table on the front of a slot machine specifies the types of bets that can be placed and the different payouts players will receive.
Slot Type
The type of slot machine that a player is using, can be basic slots, progressive slots, or bonus slots.
Spin
When the wheels of the slot machine are moving, but a pay line hasn’t been reached yet.
Stacked Wilds
A pay line where multiple wild symbols are stacked on each other.
Symbol
The figures that appear on the reels of the slots, make up the different pay line possibilities.
Taste
The small payouts slot machines often make keep players excited so they’ll keep betting.
Wild Symbol
A special symbol that will create a winning combination when paired with others like it.
Wild Multiplier
A symbol that is both a wild and increases the payout if a winning combination occurs on a pay line.
Winning Combination
A combination of symbols can occur, which results in a payout. This outcome can be more casually referred to as a “win.”
If you’re going to take up slots – whether online or offline – it’s important to familiarize yourself with these terms before playing. Bookmark this page in case you get confused, and come back to it time and time again as you enjoy this fun casino game.
Are there any other slot terms you’ve heard that you’d like to see defined? Leave them below and a member of our staff will respond with our answers.
