Other Terms For Slot Machine

The definitive list of slot machine terms you encounter when playing online slots games for real money. It is also useful to learn these phrases and their meanings if you ever go to a brick-and-mortar casino. It helps have a great casino experience. Save this list and come back to it when you see a new term on a slot review. When this happens a player may see the reels momentarily stop at a jackpot alignment and then go into a slow spin. This often causes the player to believe a jackpot has been won. In recent years slot machine manufacturers have changed the 'stop' location to other than a jackpot alignment to help prevent the misunderstanding.

Remember the movie National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation, when gambling fever consumes Chevy Chase’s character, Clark W. Griswold? He goes on a losing streak to beat all losing streaks while his son, Rusty, wins four cars by playing the slot machines. Maybe Clark would have done better if he had read Probability For Dummies! In this article, you discover the basic ideas behind slot machines and how they work, so that you can get past the myths and develop a strategy based on sound probability.

Understanding average payout

When casinos advertise that their slot machines pay out an average of 90 percent, the fine print they don’t want you to read says that you lose 10 cents from each dollar you put into the machines in the long term. (In probability terms, this advertisement means that your expected winnings are minus 10 cents on every dollar you spend every time the money goes through the machines.)

Suppose you start with $100 and bet a dollar at a time, for example. After inserting all $100 into the slot, 100 pulls later you’ll end up on average with $90, because you lose 10 percent of your money. If you run the $90 back through the machine, you’ll end up with 90 percent of it back, which is 0.90 x 90 = $81. If you run that amount through in 81 pulls, you’ll have $72.90 afterward (0.90 x 81 = 72.90). If you keep going for 44 rounds, on average, the money will be gone, unless you have the luck of Rusty Griswold!

How many pulls on the machine does your $100 give you at this rate? Each time you have less money to run through the machine, so you have fewer pulls left. If you insert $1 at a time, you can expect 972 total pulls in the long term with these average payouts (that’s the total pulls in 44 rounds). But keep in mind that casinos are designing slot machines to go faster and faster between spins. Some are even doing away with the handles and tokens by using digital readouts on gaming cards that you put into the machines. The faster machines can play up to 25 spins per hour, and 972 spins divided by 25 spins per minute is 38.88 minutes. You don’t have a very long time to enjoy your $100 before it’s gone!

The worst part? Casinos often advertise that their “average payouts” are even as high as 95 percent. But beware: That number applies only to certain machines, and the casinos don’t rush to tell you which ones. You really need to read or ask about the fine print before playing. You can also try to check the information on the machine to see if it lists its payouts. (Don’t expect this information to be front and center.)

Implementing a simple strategy for slots

Advice varies regarding whether you should play nickel, quarter, or dollar slot machines and whether you should max out the number of coins you bet or not (you usually get to choose between one and five coins to bet on a standard slot machine). In this section, you’ll find a few tips for getting the most bang for your buck (or nickel) when playing slot machines.

Basically, when it comes to slot machines, strategy boils down to this: Know the rules, your probability of winning, and the expected payouts; dispel any myths; and quit while you’re ahead. If you win $100, cash out $50 and play with the rest, for example. After you lose a certain amount (determined by you in advance), don’t hesitate to quit. Go to the all-you-can-eat buffet and try your luck with the casino food; odds are it’s pretty good!

Choosing among nickel, quarter, and dollar machines

The machines that have the higher denominations usually give the best payouts. So, between the nickel and quarter slots, for example, the quarter slots generally give better payouts. However, you run the risk of getting in way over your head in a hurry, so don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. The bottom line: Always choose a level that you have fun playing at and that allows you to play for your full set time limit.

Deciding how many coins to play at a time

When deciding on the number of coins you should play per spin, keep in mind that more is sometimes better. If the slot machine gives you more than two times the payout when you put in two times the number of coins, for example, you should max it out instead of playing single coins because you increase your chances of winning a bigger pot, and the expected value is higher. If the machine just gives you k times the payout for k coins, it doesn’t matter if you use the maximum number of coins. You may as well play one at a time until you can make some money and leave so your money lasts a little longer.

For example, say a quarter machine pays 10 credits for the outcome 777 when you play only a single quarter, but if you play two quarters, it gives you 25 credits for the same outcome. And if you play the maximum number of quarters (say, four), a 777 results in 1,000 credits. You can see that playing four quarters at a time gives you a better chance of winning a bigger pot in the long run (if you win, that is) compared to playing a single quarter at a time for four consecutive tries.

The latest slot machine sweeping the nation is the so-called “penny slot machine.” Although it professes to require only a penny for a spin, you get this rate only if you want to bet one penny at a time. The machines entice you to bet way more than one penny at a time; in fact, on some machines, you can bet more than 1,000 coins (called lines) on each spin — $10 a shot here, folks. Because these machines take any denomination of paper bill, as well as credit cards, your money can go faster on penny machines than on dollar machines because you can quickly lose track of your spendings. Pinching pennies may not be worth it after all!

The definitive list of slot machine terms you encounter when playing online slots games for real money. It is also useful to learn these phrases and their meanings if you ever go to a brick-and-mortar casino. It helps have a great casino experience.

Save this list and come back to it when you see a new term on a slot review.

List of Slot Machine Terminology with Definitions

This glossary includes popular words that every game uses and some you might have never seen before. Learn what a progressive slot is, the difference between a free spin and free play, and all about those tricky pay tables.

A 1,024-way machine is similar to a 234-way game but with an extra row of symbols. The five reels with four columns create an exponential amount of new paying combos.

A 234-way machine pays out when symbols appear on any of the reels in any position. Symbols count toward winning combinations as long as they are adjacent.

3D Video slots are graphically intense slot games with depth in their imagery to give a three-dimensional effect.

A 3 reel slot machine has three spinning columns of symbols.

A 5 reel slot machine has five spinning columns of symbols. This type of game seems to be the new standard for online slots.

A 6 reel slot has columns of spinning symbols. These games usually have additional features.

Action is the total amount that a slots player bets in a certain period of time. This number is used for some bonus offers and when clearing wagering and rollover requirements.

An active payline is “turned on” and pays a prize if a winning combination lands on it. Many machines let you activate and deactivated paylines to adjust the wager.

All ways machines have paylines that create winning combinations from left to right and right to left.

An annuity winner takes their prize in payments instead of a lump sum. This option isn’t available online.

Autoplay and autospin features let you set a wager and number of spins for the machine to complete automatically. You can usually cancel autoplay after any round.

Bars are classic black slot symbols with “BAR” printed on them in white. They are often the lowest paying and come in single, double, or triple stacked versions.

Basic slots are three-reel machines with a single payline. The prize is always the same, and there are no special features.

The bet is the amount that a player wagers on a spin.

A “bet one” setting adjusts the wager to one single coin of the selected denomination per spin.

A bonus feature, or bonus game, offers free spins, additional wilds, or another big win potential. Find instructions on how to activate the feature in the game’s paytable.

A bonus round is an in-game event where players make specific decisions to earn extra prizes.

Buy a pay refers to payouts that a player gets only if there is a certain wager amount per spin. It’s important to take notice of this as the jackpot sometimes won’t be available unless you’re betting a certain amount.

Buy a feature grants access to certain bonuses or special modes if a player is wagering a minimum amount per spin.

The candle is the light on top of a physical slot machine at a casino. You can use it to call over an employee if there is an issue, or if you hit the jackpot.

A carousel is a bank or group of slots that are together on a casino floor.

Cascading wilds convert other symbols in a slot game into more wilds, allowing for massive or concurrent wins.

A classic slot machine has three reels and only a few paylines. These machines often use vintage symbols like bars, bells, fruit, and 7s.

Coins are the total amount of cash you have in a slot machine at any given time.

The coin size is the value assigned to each coin or credit when you’re betting at a slot machine. These can be as small as 1¢ or large as $100. This amount gets multiplied by the number of paylines to calculate the total bet.

A coin slot is a physical hole where you put your coins to fund the machine. Finding a coin slot is becoming rare with digital machines, although some casinos still offer physical quarter or penny games.

The collect button allows players to cash out their remaining credits from the slot machine.

Comps are complimentary prizes, drinks, food, or spins offered by the casino for loyal players.

Columns are the vertical lines of symbols that spin. This term is used interchangeably with reels.

Credits are the unit used after you insert money into a slot machine. A credit indicator is usually near the bottom of the slot machine or screen.

The denomination is the value of a single coin on a slot machine. Some machines allow the player to change the coin amount. A carousel of slots in a brick and mortar casino will usually be the same denomination.

Demo mode, or practice mode, gives you a “fun balance” to play a slot game. You can not win real money, and your balance doesn’t carry over.

Expanding wilds are a unique type of wild symbol that grows beyond a single space. These often fill the entire reel they land on, creating more winning potential.

EGM is an acronym for “Electronic Gaming Machine.”

A feature is any additional bonuses, free spins, and side games that you can unlock with certain winning combinations.

A fixed jackpot is a set amount a player wins if they hit the jackpot combination. This is the traditional payout in slot machines, also called a flat-top slot.

A free play slot lets you try the game without risking any real money. The best online casinos offer this with their demo mode.

Free spins are opportunities to spin the reels and win prizes without having to wager. You earn them during game features or with some casino bonuses.

The gamble feature gives you a chance to double your previous winning spin’s prize.

To “hit” is to complete a winning combination on an active payline.

The hopper is the area below the reels of a physical slot machine used to catch winning coin payouts. These days, most slots use ticket vouchers.

The jackpot on a slot machine is the highest possible award. Quite often, players can only hit the jackpot at max bet.

A line bet refers to how much a player is wagering on a single slot machine line. This amount determines the payout if the player hits a winning combo.

A loose slot machine has a higher than average return to player (RTP).

The max bet is the highest amount of credits that a player can wager on each spin. On most slots, there is a bet max button to adjust the wager to the maximum automatically. Sometimes the jackpot is only available when playing at the max bet.

Mechanical slots are traditional, older machines, and have physical reels that stop behind a glass revealing symbols. These generally have fewer paylines than a video slot and predominantly feature 3-reels.

The min bet is the smallest amount a player can wager on one spin. Usually, it’s one credit for one payline. It could be as little as one 1¢.

Mobile slots have intuitive touchscreen controls for phones and tablets. Play them right in the web browser of your mobile devices.

Multi-line slots have many paylines. Each line increases your wager and drastically boosts your chances of winning.

A multiplier is a feature or symbol that significantly increases your winning payouts. For example, a 3x multiplier triples your win.

A nudge slot has symbols that move up or down once the reel has stopped. They provide additional wins and an added excitement to slot titles.

Numbers are symbols commonly found on the reels. The 7 was a traditional symbol, but now you can find 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A regularly.

Slot machines are known around the world as one-armed bandits. This slot machine slang originated because they have a lever, or one arm, and are programmed to take money from players.

The payback percentage is the total amount a machine pays out over time. This term is used interchangeably with RTP.

The payline is a line, or pattern, that a winning combination needs to land on to win a prize. It can be straight, diagonal, or zig-zag in many directions.

The payout is the amount you win when you hit a winning combo. This number is affected by your wager, the symbols, and any active multipliers.

The paytable is a page or section that outlines how much you can win on a slot machine. In addition to payouts, it shows the symbols, rules, and how to activate and use bonus features.

Penny slots have wager options as little as 1¢ per pay line. These machines are popular since they provide extended entertainment with little risk.

Pokies is the Australian slang term for slot machines. They may also refer to them as pokie machines.

Other Terms For Slot Machines

A progressive jackpot slot has a grand prize that grows with each spin until it is won. Their payouts often reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The random number generator determines where a slot machine’s symbols land. It is based on a mathematical algorithm that allows for genuinely random placement on each spin.

The reels on a slot machine are the columns that contain various symbols.

A reel stop refers to each position on the reels.

A percentage of the total wagered money that the machine pays back to the players. This number is calculated over thousands of spins.

Rollover and wagering requirements are the total amount a player must wager to clear a bonus offer.

Rows are the horizontal lines that symbols fall on.

A scatter symbol awards the player with a payout and often unlocks a bonus round or special feature.

The second screen bonus is a special feature that takes you away from the basic reels and to a mini-game with a different format.

The “select lines” button allows you to activate or deactivate paylines. It affects your wager and likelihood of hitting a payout.

Shifting wilds, or sliding wilds, are like expanding wilds, but they grow horizontally across multiple reels.

Skill-based slots bonuses test your skill in a mini-game and award you a higher prize for better performance.

Slant top slot machines are wide and short games that save space. They allow the player to have a more immersive experience, particularly on video slots.

The slots club, or player’s club, is a VIP program for loyal players to earn comps and other rewards. They are often tiered systems that provide additional services as you progress up the ladder.

The arm on the side of a slot machine is called the slots lever.

A slots tournament pits players against each other with a set time limit or number of credits. The player with the best score at the end of the tournament wins additional prizes or free play credits. You join these games with a buy-in or invite.

Slots types include progressive slots, 3D games, Video machines, and titles with bonus features.

A spin refers to a single round on a slot machine.

A slot machine with staggered payouts offers a larger payout when you bet more coins.

The symbols are the images, numbers, and bars on the slot machines reels. Each symbol has an associate payout, and some unlock special features.

Tight slots are machines with low RTP and are not in the player’s favor.

The total bet is the amount wagered based on your current settings. The coin size and number of active paylines get multiplied to calculate the credits per spin.

A game with unique reels may not use a traditional column layout. The reels may be in a hexagon, tower, or side-scrolling display.

Slot machine variance refers to a game’s consistency. A low variance has frequent smaller prizes, and a high variance has larger, but less frequent, wins.

Video slots, unlike mechanical slots, have no moving parts. The spinning reels are simulated on a screen with amazing graphics and sound effects. All online slot games are video slots.

Instead of listing several paylines, a game might list a specific number of ways to win. This number could be 234 – 1,024 different winning lines.

A wild slot symbol substitutes for any other symbol in the game (except for scatter or bonus symbols) to help you create a better winning combination.

A wild multiplier is a feature that positively affects the payouts of combinations that include wild symbols.

Another Term For Slot Machines

A win happens when you hit the correct combination of symbols that appears on an activated pay line.

Winning both ways means a paying combination can occur from left-to-right or right-to-left.

A zig-zag payline moves in a crooked line across the rows and columns of the reels. There are often some very interesting payline layouts.

Use This List of Slot Machine Terminology to the Fullest

Who knew slot machine terminology was so involved? Now you have a one-stop-shop for all the slot machine slang you could ever need.

When you’re ready to try your luck at a few online games, head to one of the legit online casinos below. New players have excellent welcome bonus options that include free spins on popular slots.

Play Online Slots For Real Money

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Slot Machine Glossary FAQ

Below are some common questions we get regarding various slot machine terms.

A progressive jackpot slot machine has a growing grand prize that continues to climb until a player hits it. These tend to reach life-changing amounts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The arm on the slot machine is the slot’s lever. You pull it to spin the reels. Many games now use a button format, and the lever is just for show.

Terms For Slot Machine

Slots machines that payout often are known as loose slots. They have a higher return-to-player (RTP), so you stand to win more often.

Paylines, sometimes just called lines, indicate the direction and location a winning combination must land to award a prize.

At one point, the Aria in LasVegas had a machine where you could wager $5,000 on a single spin.