Slots
Game Guide

Slot Games Glossary C

Call Attendant

the slot of your dreams has lined up just right for a hand-pay accompanied by the sound of bells and clapping.

Carousel

a group or bank of slots.

Certified Slots

casinos promote their certified slots with flashing, large, neon lights, guaranteeing 98-100% payback. Most of these mini games are dollars.

Coin in/Coin out

coins in is amount played through machine. Coins out are paid wins.These two numbers determine a slots overall payout percentage.

Coins

slot coins offer several denomination options, usually from pennies to $5 and up. Betting maximum coins will activate all symbols and/or lines on a multi-line bonus slot.

Collect

amount of credits/cash won after a session of slot play. Bonus slots conclude the bonus round with a collect button.

Comps

freebies awarded to new or returning players in the form of cash, and other special amenities determined by number of points accumulated using your slot card. .

Community play or Multi-player concept

View features and 7 examples listed under Multi-player slots.

Credit(s)

paid after winning spins or with an initial betting amount as displayed on the credit meter. To convert credits to cash dollar value, use the following formula:

• 100 pennies=$1. - divide by 100 for $ value.
• 20 nickels=$1. - divide by 20 for $ value.
• 10 dimes=$1. - divide by 10 for $ value.
• 4 quarters=$1. - divide by 4 for $ value.
• 2 50cents=$1. - divide by 2 for $ value.

Slot Machine Terms D

Denomination

most slots offer several denominations options, usually from pennies to $5.

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.

Slot Machine Terms F - H

Free Spin(s)

slot bonus feature that offers one or more free spins. Also known as a no deposit free spins bonus offer used to seduce players to sign up at casinos.

Fruit machines

term for a slot in the UK.

Games per hour

500/games/hour is an average for slot players.

Hit and Run Winner Strategy

play a maximum bet at a single payline slot for 4-5 spins. If no credits come your way, move on to another machine.

Hit Frequency

is the average number of hits/pays for slots. The lower the hit frequency, the better. For example, a 2 indicates some type of 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/Re-Spin Bonus Slot

player holds the reel results while the other reels spin unassisted resulting in additional credits.

Hold Percentage

percentage of coins played that casinos keep. The looser 98% slots hold two dollars while returning 98 dollars to the player. That percentage is over the long term, perhaps months, while short-term play return percentages can rise and fall quickly.

Slot Machine Terms I - L

Instant Winner

slot win paid immediately rather than installments, refers to progressive slots. Congrats to this Right Now Winner!

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. See WAP or Wide Area Progressives.

Loose/Tight Slots

loose slots will have better payoffs to a certified high of 100%, on average over a period of time. A slot will have a symbol, example=2 cherries, which pay a couple of coins. These cherries will replace a symbol that does not pay, thus, a loose machine. Reverse this procedure for a tight slot.

Low Level

term for the most comfortable seats in the house at slot machines.Also, know as slant slots where the screen slopes upward for easy viewing and play.

Slot Machine Terms M

Mini Games

another name for the concept of slot machines.

Maximum Coins Bet

number of coins to bet for each spin. Maximum coin bet is important to qualify for top jackpots.

Multi-denomination

slots offering several coin versions at the same machine. Example= nickels, quarters, 50-cent and dollars in slot machine terms.

Multi-Line Slot

offer multiple paylines up to as many as 100. Most of these versions come in penny denominations.

Multi-player or Community Slots

Adds excitement to the slots playground.These multiplayer slots take up more space on the casino floor than any other slot games. Set up to accommodate at least 10 players with double seating, each station is linked to the game. All players can qualify for the top jackpot bonus round and gather credits separately at their station. To qualify, players bet on all paylines and place a side bet. All the major slot manufacturers created fascinating versions with several payout options. Here are 7 versions to discover and explore at offline casinos.

1. Wheel of Fortune Special Edition Super Spin: Slot Machine Terms
   These slots games provide nine two-seater playing stations, each of which are linked to the wheel. For the bonus round, players select from tiles at the bottom of the screen and as letters are displayed, the game locates the letter in at least one of three puzzles. Each time you find a letter, the bonus value tied to that puzzle increases. Any player can start the wheel feature and gather bonus amounts to their station pick.
   To qualify, players bet on all paylines and place a 40-cent side bet. Individual terminals who hit bonus events have an arrow light up at their station around the big wheel. The big wheel spins once for all qualifying players and it is possible for multiple players to initiate the bonus and spin the wheel at the same time. When all nine stations are in play, the wheel is in constant motion. 
   Multi-player Slots: Slot Machine Terms
2. Bally features Meet Me in the Middle and Hot Shot, Yours, Mine, and Ours! These game themes were designed to enable two people to play two different games together, while sharing the same credit meter. Hot Shot Yours, Mine, and Ours! features five levels of game-in-games, 11 possible progressives, and a giant mini-game.
3. The experience gets crazier with Aristocrat’s style of community gaming in Crazy Taxi – Fare 4 All. The game is a fun experience where players participate together in three community features. While some community style games pit players against each other, in Crazy Taxi, the players all benefit as a community.
4. Grand Hotel Big Event:  features the 3-Reel Mechanical player, takes place atop the Grand Hotel, awards unique mini-bonuses triggered by up to 10 guests who may land on the Railroads, Electric Company, Water Works, Community Chest, Chance, Go! or Free Parking! On the third reel is a symbol called the Multiplier Boost that awards additional time on the player’s eligibility meter resulting in a temporary increase of their Big Event Multiplier determined by the bet placed – the larger=an increase in the multiplier.
   Multi-player Slots: Slot Machine Terms
5. Monopoly Big Event: When the Big Event Bonus triggers, all qualifying players enter the bonus round and win together. A Big Event Multiplier is also awarded in the bonus round. Play is fast, bets are big, and the excitement never stops. The Big Event Bonus is announced on the screen of every eligible player—one of 6 of Mr. Monopoly's Prize, Free Parking, Chance, Community Chest, Railroad Riches or Once Around. The Once Around Bonus is the largest and most rewarding where Mr. Monopoly keeps rolling the dice until all players move once around the Monopoly Board, starting at GO. Credits are awarded each time the player lands on a property. Additional bonus rounds are triggered if a player lands on Electric Company, Water Works, Chance, Community Chest, Free Parking or any of the Railroads. The bonus ends after landing on or passing GO. 
   Multi-player Slots: Slot Machine Terms
6. The Great and Powerful Oz brings Community Gaming and Sensory Immersion capabilities to one exciting game experience where players become their favorite character as they journey to the Emerald City for a chance to encounter the Wizard of Oz.
7. The Price Is Right: Ultimate Show offers an experience beyond the game. The longest running game show in television history comes to life on casino floors with progressive bonuses where one lucky player is selected to experience one of four exciting bonus levels.

Multiplier

slot feature where winning credits are multiplied 2x-10x for a bonus win.

Multiplier Slot 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 maximum coins.

Slot Machine Terms N

Near Miss

non-winning combinations or reel blanks. The reason there are so many near misses is that the blanks or almost winning combinations are programmed to come up more often.

Nudge Slot

slot feature where a paying symbol will drop down creating a win. You just need a little nudge up or down and you are in the money. Nudge slots usually display the word Deluxe in the slot name.

Slot Machine Terms O - P

One Armed Bandit

slang name for slot machines.

Onesies

slot players who play only one coin. All players should watch their bankroll, but this is wager suicide as you could lose a top jackpot.

Payback Percentage

percentage of each dollar on a certain slot machine that is returned to players over the long term.

Pay for Play Machines

slot machines that are usually 1 to 3 coin machines with staggered payoffs. In other words, the more money played, the better the payouts.

Payline

alignment of reel positions where symbols land to determine results of payout.

Payout

number of credits converted to cash paid out for a winning combination(s).

Paytable-pays

slot pay schedule that details the value of payouts for each symbol, line, scatter pay and/or other winning combinations offered by that specific game. Tip

scan the slot paytable before play to determine payouts for specific winning combinations.

Pokies

lingo heard in Australia and New Zealand referring to slot and fruit machine games. The origin is a shortcut of poker machines.

Primary Jackpot

top prize offered when a player hits a specific combination.

Progressive Slots

offer growing jackpots dependent upon amount of monies played through the linked bank/carousel slots. All progressives are at least three coin max slots. Values are reset to minimums after a win. Maximum coin play is mandatory here.

Progressive Slots Online

can be linked from one casino or linked through several online gaming sites. Example

Slots software manufacturers like Microgaming or Cryptologic offer their own progressive mini games jackpots. There are sites online that provide updated jackpot totals for progressive slots.

Slot Machine Terms R

Reel Stop

one position on the reel, either a symbol or blank space that determines the results of the game.

Reels

number of wheels/reels displayed in window of slot imprinted with symbols specific to that particular slot theme or game.

RNG or Random Number Generator

a computer program of numbers created by the manufacturer related to a reel result that is then duplicated. Higher payouts are assigned fewer numbers, while lower payouts assigned more numbers. The RNG then sequences through a series of numbers determining a result when the player triggers the spin button or slot handle. This program is also designed to determine the slot's average payout percentage.

Slot Machines Defined S - T

Scatter Pays

specific symbols of the slot game that pay even if the symbols are not on the same payline. Scatter pays will pay on that specific line that has been activated with a bet only.

Second Screen Bonus

mini games slot that displays a second video screen bonus round after a certain combination(s) is hit.

Secondary Jackpots for Progressives

are displayed below the big screen of the primary jackpot, and increase based on the number of coins played. These secondary jackpots are hit more frequently and don't pay as large a sum of money as the top prize.

Select Lines

select the number of paylines you want to bet on by clicking the bet one button or the line number left or right of the reels. Example

when you click on line number 5, you also select lines 1-4. Each click on the bet one button selects one more line. Click bet max to select all paylines to spin the wheel automatically. Your total bet for the game round is line bet X number of lines selected.

Short Win

lingo for a large jackpot is hit with a minimal cash outlay. 15 bucks gets you $1000's. This reference in slot machines defined is to remind players that playing max coin is the best bet.

Signature Slots

jargon for casinos' own brand of slots, generally looser creating the desired promotional benefits for the casino.

Slant Top

machines that are low level and slanted upwards. More comfortable seated play.

Slot Club Member

sign up for comp points and freebies offering by the casino or casino group. Inserting your slot card during play will accumulate points. See comps.

Slot MegaClubs - One Card

Megaclub card that can be used to accumulate points at a group of affiliated casinos.

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 Testing

jargon for playing through a pre-determined amount of cash. Example=$20 without using accumulated credits to determine possible payout % for selected slot.

Slot Tournament

Popular promotional event where players vie for cash prizes at specifically programmed slots.

Slot Types

Basic, Progressive, Bonus Slots and Multi-Player are the four major slot machines defined.

Slots Drop and Hold

Drop=amount of money through the slot. Hold=amount not paid out as wins. These two numbers determine a slots payout percentage.

Spin

After making your bet and selecting number of lines to activate the bonus multi-line mini games, you are ready to hit the spin button and await the results.

Stand Up

opposite of low level machines, these slot games are played while standing.

Symbols

There is an enormous inventory of mini games symbols along with the traditional cherries, and 7's found on slot machines at land-based casinos and online.

Take/Pay Cycle

term for the cycle of a slot game and the theory that most machines will payout if enough money is poured into the game. While certainly not a proven fact, the Take/Pay Cycle is put to the test when progressive games are reaching gigantic heights in dollar amounts. You will hear “It's Ready to Hit” often in these cases

Tilt

Oh bummer! While this event is rare, it is annoying nevertheless when a slot machine stops operation, usually following a malfunction.

TITO

jargon for Ticket In, Ticket Out system that produces a ticket receipt that may be converted to cash. These tickets can also be inserted into another TITO machine to begin play.

Total Bet

determined by number of reels and/or lines activated for a slot game.

Slot Machines Defined U

Up/Down Slot Cycle

lingo for slot's average payoff percentage that applies over the long haul. Therefore, a slot with a 98% payoff percentage rate will sometimes pay off at 130% and other times at 50%...sometimes at 28% and other times at 502%. The lower percentages indicate a down cycle and the higher numbers=an up cycle.

US Casino Megaclubs

many US casinos have merged to combine several casino properties under one named club card to form a Megaclub. This slot machines defined entry is a suggestion for casino players to use their cards at all participating casinos to accumulate points.

Slot Machines Defined V - Z

Virtual Reel Technology

computerized selection of reel results utilizing a system called Telnas. System assigns a series of different numbers within a program to a specific combination of reel symbols, thereby increasing the universe of numbers by which a game result is selected by the random number generator. As you might imagine, the number of combinations within this system is astronomical.

Wager Management

monitoring your gambling bankroll. Tips

dividing bankroll into sessions, playing coin denomination within your bankroll and cashing out ahead.

Wide Area Progressives or WAP

slot machine games linked in more than one casino, area or country. Progressive jackpot amount is displayed as the same $ amount at each machine regardless of location.

Wild Symbol Slot

designated symbol for the slot version that subs for a win in combo with other symbols on the payline. Double/triple wild symbols multiply your win accordingly. For bonus multi-line slots, five wild symbols usually reward with the top jackpot.

Winner Annuity

jackpots, usually over $500,000 paid out in installments over 20 years; however, player may receive instant cash with approximately 50% reduction in prize award.

X

symbol that designates a multiplier times payout amount for winning combinations. Example 2x, 5x, 10x, etc.