You want to play online slots but you don’t know the lingo. That simply won’t do. You can’t get into something and be good at it if you don’t know what the people around you are talking about, making it practically a necessity for you to learn the main slots terminology so you can play them online.
Of course, this goes beyond merely looking up “slot definition” and similar terms in a dictionary. Going deep and looking up advanced meanings of words used will also help you get better at playing the game in time.
We took some time and devised a summary of some of the most used terms when it comes to slot games. Betting terms explained are hard to find as you need to look in multiple places. But here you have it all in one place so you don’t waste any more of your valuable time.
Introduction to Slot Terminology
When researching the main slot glossary, you probably came across such words as a coin machine, fruit machine, EGM, and even the one-armed bandit. No, these are not all Twin Peaks references but rather synonyms that pros use when referring to slot machines.
The history of slot machines is long, which allowed various users from different parts of the world to come up with their own terms. Today the main glossary of betting terms is familiar to all, no matter where you play it. The development of these terms obviously started with real live slots, which evolved into something that was transferred online.
Most of these terms are actually the same. However, experienced online players will know that there are certain terms that are only native to people playing slots online. They have their roots in traditional slots but have expanded in a way so they accommodate modern users.
Online Slots Gameplay Terms
The most basic kind of slot machine lingo relates to the elements of the machine and the pieces that affect the gameplay. If you are truly serious about mastering online play, you should come to understand these:
- Reels: One of the main elements of the slot machine, mainly used to define them. Slots usually come with an odd number of reels. They start turning the second plays the spin button as they independently turn from one another.
- Paylines: The most uncomplicated type of slot contains a single payline. There are even some advanced ones that can go up to 50 paylines. When pressing spin, the symbols will turn on the paylines.
- Free Spins: This is a popular bonus feature that can be potentially obtained in-game or using some kind of a welcome bonus. It gives players an option of added spins without having to add a stake.
- RTP (Return to Player): RTP refers to the percentage of wagers that a player may expect as a return for a certain slot game.
- Volatility/Variance: A term used to describe the risk level for a certain game.
- Progressive Jackpot: The hardest but one of the most valuable jackpots to hit. It consists of accumulated funds wagered by players that build over time.
- Bonus Rounds: A separate round played apart from the main gameplay, usually triggered by Scatter and Wild symbols.
- Paytable: A table that shows all the possible winning combinations and the associated win value.
- RNG (Random Number Generator): A software used by most slot machines which outputs numbers at a random rate.
- Hit Frequency: A percentage that depicts the number of times the machine is expected to produce a return.
- Themed Slots: Types of slots that follow a certain theme other than the classic ones.
Online Slots Symbols: Wilds, Scatters, and Multipliers
A very important part of the entire gameplay is primarily understanding the slot machine symbols meaning. These might differ based on the slot theme, but it essentially comes down to the same thing.
- Wilds: Wild symbols are used to substitute other symbols on the reel, allowing you to complete a payline.
- Scatters: Scatter symbols have many different functions. More than often, they help to complete winning combinations or trigger Bonus Rounds.
- Multipliers: Multiple symbols help to increase potential winnings and allow players to get extra returns.
- Bonus Symbols: These are usually specific for each individual slot and exist to help trigger Bonus Rounds.
- Stacked Symbols: Symbols that land on top of each other that help to trigger bonus rounds or create wins.
- Expanding Symbols: Symbols that have the ability to substitute all symbols on a reel.
- Cascading Reels: Known as avalanche slots, they are able to feature more than one payline.
- Mystery Symbols: Take a different form depending on the slot, but are mainly used to increase slot volatility.
- Wandering Wilds: These types of wilds land on the reel like normal ones, but then shift positions, allowing players to hit different paylines.
- Gamble Feature: A type of bonus feature that allows players to pick one of two different outcomes. Choosing correctly may allow you to double your winnings, while a wrong pick ends in your forfeiting your entire lot.
Betting Terms: Max Bet, Min Bet, and Autoplay
To better understand the gameplay of certain slots, you need to know the specified slot machine slang. These are crucial as they will enable you to play the games exactly as intended.
- Max Bet: The highest amount of a bet that one can place per spin.
- Min Bet: The lowest amount of a bet that a player can place per spin.
- Autoplay: A feature that allows you to make spins automatically at a set number of times.
- Bet Level: It determines the size of the wager a player is placing.
- Active Payline: A type of winning payline which is active during gameplay.
- Total Bet: The number of credits played on a certain slot at a go.
- Single Win Limit: The amount a player can win per spin.
Advanced Slot Machine Terminology
After developing a taste for playing these types of games, you are going to want to understand more advanced slot machine terms. Betting terminology in the UK may differ only slightly compared to other places. So rest assured that you are not going to have to research some added slots terminology terms if you are playing from elsewhere.
- Cluster Pays: Players can get to potential wins by matching symbols from a cluster on a game grid.
- Megaways: A type of slot that allows for all lines to be paylines.
- Pay Both Ways: Traditionally, paylines work in one direction, from left to right or the other way around. These actually work on both sides.
- Tiered Progressive Jackpots: An advanced type of jackpot that can increase potential winnings even beyond a standalone progressive jackpot.
- Symbol Collection: These types of slots usually allow you to unlock added features, usually by accumulating symbol builds.
- Slot Providers: Software developers who invent and develop slot games that can be played in casinos
Speaking of these providers, you can also take a look at some of the best ones by browsing our top online slot picks. Of course, don’t forget to finish reading the betting terms explained article as it is going to make it immensely easier on you.
FAQs
Be sure to check out some added answers about online casino terminology, to help you understand these types of games a bit closer.
Depending on the slot theme, symbols may differ. Some of the most common slot symbols featured on traditional slots are fruit symbols and Lucky 7s.
A progressive jackpot is a type of jackpot that is capable of creating bigger potential returns than usual. It accumulates a percentage of all the bets wagered by players and slowly increases the jackpot amount until somebody hits it.
The higher the volatility the bigger are the potential returns. However, it also makes it harder to hit them. Low variance slots give out more frequent returns but offer lower payouts.
A payline is a set pattern and a standard piece of every slot machine, usually coming from the left to the right side of the screen. These exist to host winning combinations of matching symbols.
