Slot games may seem simple on the surface, but there is a lot of depth in this popular gambling activity. While reading about slots, you may come across some terms that you may not be familiar with. With this handy glossary of slots terms, we hope to educate and inform you on common and uncommon slot-related terms used in the industry.
Active Payline #
An active payline is one that is active during a spin, and will result in a payout if it contains a winning combination. Modern slots usually have multiple paylines which allow players to choose the number of paylines they wish to have active on a spin.
Auto Play #
A common option in modern slot games. It allows the player to spin the reels a certain number of times in succession automatically, without having to manually press a button every time.
Bet Max #
A common option in modern slot games. It allows the player to bet the maximum number of lines and the maximum amount per line in their next spin.
Bet per Line #
The amount being wagered per line. It is multiplied by the number of active paylines being played to determine the total bet per spin.
Bonus Features #
Many modern slot games have bonus features that can be triggered randomly or by a specific combination of symbols. These bonus features give the player a chance to win a bonus payout or earn free spins.
Coin Size #
The amount bet on each spin is commonly measured by the number of coins. Coin size determines how much each coin is worth.
Fixed Jackpot #
A jackpot that pays out the same fixed amount of coins whenever it is won.
Free Spin #
A very common feature in modern slot games. The player gets to keep all winnings but doesn’t have to pay for the spins. Free spins can be awarded by hitting a specific combination, or from a bonus feature. Free spins may also be given to players as a reward by a casino.
Hit #
A slang term for a winning spin.
Loose Slot #
A slang term for a slot game with a high payout percentage.
Multi-line Slots #
Slot games that have more than one payline.
Multiplier #
A common feature in modern slots. This is often a symbol which multiplies the payout from any winning combinations that appear. Multipliers can also be awarded in bonus features and can apply to free spins.
Payline #
A line going across the reels on which symbols must appear in a winning combination to result in a payout. Traditional mechanical slot games usually have just one payline, usually across the center of all the reels. However, nowadays, modern slot games usually have many lines going in different directions.
Payout Percentage #
The percentage of all bets that a slot game will pay out over time.
Pay Table #
A table that shows all the possible winning combinations on a slot game and their respective payouts.
Progressive Jackpot #
A jackpot that grows over time as more people play on the slot game.
Random Number Generator (RNG) #
The computer program on modern digital slot games which determines where the reels will end up on each spin.
Reels #
The rotating columns on which the symbols appear on a slot game.
Scatter #
Symbols that don’t have to appear in a specific combination on an active payline to result in a win. Usually, three or more symbols anywhere in view will lead to a payout. Scatters are also commonly used to activate bonus features and free spins.
Stacked Wilds #
Multiple wild symbols positioned on top of each other on a single reel.
Tight Slot #
A slang term for a slot game with a low payout percentage.
Wild #
A symbol that can be used to substitute for other symbols to create a winning combination.
Winning Combination #
Any combination of symbols that results in a payout.
