Slots have changed noticeably over the years and so too has the ‘language of slots’. Let’s explore some slot terms with this short-version glossary.
Basic Slots: Single payline, known as straight or “flat-top” slots, have a constant top jackpot payout that does not change.
Bet Max: is to bet the max coins for each play/spin. The best payouts occur when the maximum bet is wagered. Exception: when playing multi-line slots, you must activate all paylines, but to stretch your playing time, bet 1-2 coins/line.
Bonus Added Slots: Features include multi-spins, 5 reels, multi-lines, bonus games, wild symbols, scatter pay, multiplier and nudge-hold. dewanaga89 Available at casinos online and land-based.
Collect: Amount of credits/cash won after a session of slot play. Bonus slots conclude the bonus round with a Collect button.
Double/Triple Symbols: Whenever these symbols appear in the center of a single payline slot in combination with other symbols creating a winning combination, the payoff amount is doubled or tripled. Two or three of these same symbols increase the jackpot payout.
Hit Frequency: is the average number of spins for slots. The lower the hit frequency, the better.
For example, a 2 indicates a hit every second spin, while a 7 is a hit approx. every 7th spin. It is better to have a payout on average every 2nd spin, rather than every 7th spin.
Hold and Re-Spin Bonus Slots: Player holds the reel results while the other reels spin unassisted resulting in additional credits.
Line Bet: Wager for each line activated. Tip: to receive full value at a multi-line bonus slot, you should activate all available paylines.
Linked Jackpot: increased by a percentage of coins bet by two or more machines.
Multi-Line Slots: offer multiple paylines up to as many as 50. Most of these versions come in penny denominations; also nickel, quarter and dollar.
Multiplier: Slot feature where winning credits are multiplied 2X-10X for a bonus win.
Multiplier Slots Version: pays for certain symbols on a graduating scale. On a three reel, you get 5 coins for a ‘cherry’ playing 1 coin, 10 pay for 2 coins and 15 pay for 3 coins. The payouts for playing 1 coin are much smaller than if you played max. coins.
Nudge Slots: Slot feature where a paying symbol will ‘drop down’ creating a win. It could be a basketball, diamond, cherry or wild symbol. You just need a little nudge up or down and you are in the money. Nudge slots usually display the word ‘Deluxe’ in the name.
Progressive Slots: offer growing jackpots dependent upon amount of monies played through the linked bank/carousel slots. A larger bankroll is required and all progressives are at least three coin max slots with two jackpot levels – primary and secondary. When either jackpot wins, values are reset to minimums for each. Max play is mandatory here.
Reels: Number of wheels/reels displayed in window of slot imprinted with symbols specific to that particular slot theme or game.
Scatter Pays: Specific symbols of the slot game that pay even if the symbols are not on the same payline. Tip: Scatter Pays pay only on a line that has been activated with a bet.
Short Win: This happens all the time. A large jackpot is hit with a minimal cash outlay–15 bucks gets you $1000’s.
Slot Schedule: Posted information on front of slot tells you what type of slot, denomination, and symbol combination win amounts possible for each coin played. Required reading.
Slot Types: Basic, Progressive, Bonus Slots and Group/Community Play are the four major types/categories.
Wide Area Progressives: Slots linked in more than one casino, area or country. Progressive jackpot amount is displayed as the same $ amount at each machine regardless of location.