Slot Machine Terminology: The Ultimate A-Z Glossary
Online slots make up the biggest part of most casino game catalogs, and thus, there’s a strong need for players to become familiar with popular slot terminology. While land-based casinos used to feature simple slot machines with typical themes and game mechanics, the online landscape now features thousands of slot games that use not only interesting mechanics, features, and game design, but also those that make the game stand out from the get-go.
Players should be familiar with common slot machine terminology so that every time they encounter frequently used slot terms, they know exactly what they’re dealing with. Here, we’ll discuss all the slot machine lingo that every online slot enthusiast should know.
10 Most Important Slot Terms You Need to Know
While slot terminology is quite vast, there are some terms that identify everything you need to know about the game before playing it. Here are the most important slot terms that reflect the overall quality of the slot, whether it fits your particular preferences or not, and how much of a long-term return you should expect from it.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| RTP | The theoretical percentage of wagered money a slot returns over a very large number of spins in the long term (e.g. 96%, 97.5%). |
| Volatility | The frequency of wins and their size, relative to the bet in the slot. High volatility means infrequent yet large wins, and vice versa for low volatility. |
| Payline | A pattern across the reels with matching symbols that, when landed, pays out a win. |
| Wild Symbol | A symbol that substitutes for certain other symbols to contribute to a payline. |
| Scatter Symbol | A symbol that may award a payout or trigger a feature without landing on a payline. |
| Bonus Round | An additional feature that can award free spins, multipliers, pick-and-win prizes, or other rewards. |
| Max Win | The maximum win that a slot can payout. |
| RNG | Random Number Generator, a system that produces independent and unpredictable spins. |
| Free Spins | Spins that don’t deduct the player’s balance are usually a part of a bonus round. |
| Multiplier | A value that multiplies with a winning amount (e.g. 2x, 5x). |
How to Use This Slot Glossary
All the slot terminology given below corresponds to a game mechanic, a feature, an attribute of the slot, or just common casino expressions. While the aforementioned list of key slot terms will help you get an overview of any given slot, our A-Z guide on slot machine terminology will pretty much turn you into an expert.
We also have a separate slot machine slang section, which covers aspects of the slot discourse that go a little beyond the scope of formal terms.
A-Z Slots Glossary
Familiarity with online slot machine terms not only enhances your gaming experience but also helps you in selecting games that align with your choices and strategies. Below is a comprehensive list of key slot-related terms and their definitions:
0 – 9
243 Ways to Win
A slot game format offering 243 possible winning combinations, achieved by matching symbols in any position across adjacent reels, rather than following specific paylines.
3D Video Slot
A 3D video slot is an online slot game with three-dimensional graphics and animations. These slots offer a more immersive and visually engaging experience compared to regular video slots, often including storylines, characters, and cinematic effects.
3-Reel and 5-Reel
Traditional slot machines typically have three reels, while modern video slots often have five reels. The number of reels affects the complexity and variety of winning combinations.
A – C
Active Paylines
This refers to the lines or paths on the game’s reels where the same symbols must land to win a payout.
All-Ways Slots
Slot machines without fixed paylines allow for multiple ways to win by matching symbols on adjacent reels.
Auto Spin
This feature allows the slot game to spin the reels automatically for a set number of times, letting players relax and enjoy the action as it happens.
Bankroll
In slot machine terms, a bankroll is the total amount of money you set aside specifically to play with.
Bet
Bet refers to the wagered amount per spin.
Bet Max
This is the maximum amount a player can wager on a single spin. Betting the maximum is often required to be eligible for certain jackpots or bonus features.
Bet Min
This is the minimum amount a player can wager on a single spin. This allows players to manage their money and extend their playing time.
Betting Units
Betting units refer to the basic amount of money a player decides to use per wager or spin. It is a way to manage your finances.
Bet Per Line
The amount of money you choose to wager on each individual payline in a slot game.
Big Hit
This refers to a large payout or significant win on a slot machine, usually when a high-paying combination of symbols lands. It is not necessarily a jackpot, but it is a much higher-than-average win from a single spin.
Bonus Feature
A bonus feature in a slot game is triggered by certain symbols, offering free spins, mini-games, or extra prizes to make gameplay more exciting and rewarding.
Bonus Multiplier
A bonus multiplier increases your winnings during bonus rounds, often by 2x or 3x, but it depends on the game.
Bonus Rounds
This is a special game feature that is triggered by specific symbol combinations, offering players additional chances to win through free spins, mini-games, or multipliers.
Branded Slots
Branded slots are slot games based on popular movies, TV shows, celebrities, video games, or brands.
Buy a Feature
A slot option that lets you pay extra to instantly target a bonus round or free spins, instead of waiting for it to happen naturally during gameplay.
Cascading Reels
Cascading Reels is a feature found in many modern slot games where winning symbols disappear from the reels and new symbols like “cascade” go down to fill empty spaces.
Cash Out
When you stop playing and collect your winnings or remaining balance from a slot machine. It means ending the game and taking the money you have earned or have left.
Certified Slots
A certified slot is a slot machine that has been tested and approved by a recognized gaming authority to ensure it is fair, random and follows all legal standards.
Coins
In slots, coins refer to the virtual currency used to place bets. Instead of using real money directly, players bet a certain number of coins per spin.
Coin Size
It refers to the value of each coin you bet in a slot game. It determines how much you are wagering on each spin.
Cold Slots
Think hot and cold slots are real? If a game has not been paying out significant wins for a while, it might have just turned into a cold slot.
Credits
In slots, credits are the virtual currency used to place bets. Instead of showing money amounts, slot machines often display how many credits you have.
D – F
Doubles
In slots, doubles are special symbols that count as two matching symbols on a payline instead of one, typically found in certain themed or older slots. They help create winning combinations more efficiently and increase the chance of landing a payout.
Drops
These are surprise prizes or jackpots that can be triggered at any moment during gameplay, no matter your bet size or the symbols on the reels. They often appear as daily, hourly, or progressive rewards, bringing unexpected wins to your gaming experience.
Expanding Wilds
A unique wild symbol that expands to fill the entire reel when it appears, boosting your chances of winning by forming additional winning combinations.
Five-Liner
A five-liner is a type of slot machine with five paylines, meaning players have five ways to win on each spin. These lines can run straight across or diagonally, offering more chances to hit a winning combination compared to single-line slots.
Fixed Jackpot
A fixed jackpot is a set prize amount that does not change, no matter how many times the slot machine is played.
Free Play
Free play refers to the ability to play slot games without using real money. It is often offered as a demo version or as part of a casino promotion, allowing players to try out the game and learn how it works without risking any funds.
Free Spins
Free spins are bonus rounds where you get to spin the reels without spending your own money. They often come with extra features like multipliers or wild symbols, and sometimes, they’re a part of free spins casino bonus offers as a platform promotion.
Fruit Machine
A fruit machine is a British term for a slot machine, commonly found in pubs and arcades. These machines often feature classic fruit symbols like cherries, lemons, and oranges.
G – L
Gamble
A feature in some slot games that lets you risk your winnings for a chance to double (or more) your payout.
Games per Hour (GPH)
The average number of slot games a player plays in one hour. It helps estimate how fast you are playing and how much you are spending over time.
High Volatility
In high-volatility slots, the game pays out less often, but the wins are usually bigger when they happen.
Hit Frequency
The rate at which a slot machine is expected to produce winning combinations. A higher hit frequency indicates more frequent wins, though often smaller amounts.
Hold Percentage
The hold percentage is the portion of money that a slot machine is programmed to keep over time.
Hot Machine
A hot machine is a slot machine that seems to be paying out winnings frequently within a short period. Players often believe it is “on a streak” or more likely to hit big wins.
House Edge
The mathematical advantage that the casino has over players in a game is expressed as a percentage. It represents the average gross profit the casino expects to make from each game.
Icons
In slot games, an icon is simply another word for a symbol that appears on the reels.
Instant Winner
An instant winner is a slot feature or prize that gives you an immediate reward like cash, free spins, or bonuses, without needing to match symbols or complete paylines.
Jackpot
A jackpot is the highest prize you can win in a slot game. It usually offers a big payout and can be either fixed (set amount) or progressive (grows over time as players spin).
Line Bet
The amount of money you wager on a single payline in a slot game. Your total bet is calculated by multiplying the line bet by the number of active paylines.
Linked Progressive Slots
These are slot machines connected to a shared jackpot across multiple games. Every time someone plays one of the linked machines, a portion of their bets adds to a common jackpot. This allows the prize to grow much faster and reach much higher amounts than standalone machines.
Loose Slot
A loose slot is a slot machine that is programmed to pay out more frequently or generously than others. Players often say these machines have higher chances of winning or better payouts.
Low Volatility
Low volatility slots are games that pay out small wins frequently. They are ideal for players who want longer playtime and steady, smaller rewards, rather than chasing big jackpots. These slots are perfect for beginners or those with smaller budgets.
M – P
Maximum Bet
The maximum bet is the highest amount you can wager on a single spin in a slot game. While most slots have a maximum bet amount, wagering requirements for online casino bonuses also feature a maximum bet cap.
Megaways
A popular slot game mechanic, Megaways titles offer thousands of ways to win on each spin. Unlike traditional slots with fixed paylines, Megaways offers dynamic ways to win based on the number of symbols on each reel.
Minimum Bet
The minimum bet is the smallest amount of money a player can wager on a single spin in a slot game. It allows players to enjoy the game while managing their budget.
Mobile Slots
Mobile slots refer to slot games that are designed to be played on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Multiline Bonus Slot Machine
A multiline bonus slot machine is a type of slot game that allows you to bet on multiple paylines, increasing your chances of winning.
Multiline Slots
A multiline slot is a type of slot machine that offers multiple ways to win, unlike traditional single-line slots, which have just one payline.
Multiplier
A multiplier increases your winnings by a set amount.
Multi-Way
A slot game format where you can win by matching symbols in any position on adjacent reels, usually from left to right.
Near Miss
A near miss happens when the symbols on the slot reels almost line up for a win but just miss two jackpot symbols and a third one just above or below the payline. It looks like you almost won, but no payout is given. This is designed to keep players engaged.
Nudge
A nudge is a feature in some slot games that moves a reel up or down by one position after a spin, giving players a second chance to land a winning combination. It often happens automatically or as part of a bonus round.
Odds
This refers to the chances of winning on a spin. The higher the odds, the bigger the potential payout, but also the lower the probability, and vice versa.
One-Liner
A one-liner in slot games is a slot machine with only one payline, meaning you can win only by landing matching symbols in a single, straight line.
Payback Percentage
Payback Percentage in slot games is the percentage of all the money wagered on a slot machine that the game is expected to pay back to players over time.
Payline
A payline in slot games is a line that shows where matching symbols must land for you to win. It can be straight, zigzag, or even take unusual shapes across the reels. If the right symbols line up on an active payline, you get a payout.
Paytable
A paytable in slot games is a chart or information panel that displays the values and payouts for each symbol combination.
Payout
The payout in slot games refers to the amount of money a player wins from a specific combination of symbols on a spin.
Penny Slots
These are a kind of slot machine where the minimum bet per spin is just 1 penny.
Pick Me
A “Pick Me” feature is a bonus round in slot games where players select from various items (like cards, boxes, or symbols) to uncover hidden rewards.
Primary Jackpot
The main prize in a slot game, often the largest payout available, is typically awarded when a specific combination of symbols appears on the reels.
Progressive Jackpot
This is a type of jackpot in slot games that increases every time the game is played but not won. More often than not, progressive slot games are backed by small contributions from all the players of the game.
R – T
Random Number Generator (RNG)
This is a computer algorithm used in slots to make sure that each spin is completely independent from the previous one or future spins. It continuously generates random sequences of numbers, which determine the outcome of each spin the moment the player hits “spin”.
Return to Player (RTP)
RTP is a mathematical representation of how much of a return a slot can deliver in the long run. While not everyone might know what is an RTP, the idea is that over thousands of spins, a slot is theoretically expected to return a certain percentage (e.g., 96% or 98%) of wins to the player.
Rows
In slot games, rows refer to the horizontal lines of symbols that appear across the reels. Each reel typically contains several symbols stacked vertically, and the number of rows determines how many symbols are visible per reel.
Scatter
A scatter is a special symbol in slot games that can trigger bonus features, such as free spins or mini-games, regardless of its position on the reels.
Scatter Pay
In slot games, scatter pay refers to a payout awarded when a few scatter symbols appear on the reels, regardless of their position or alignment on a payline.
Skill Bonus
A skill bonus in slot games is a type of bonus round where a player’s actions can directly influence the outcome and potential rewards.
Slot Hold
This refers to the percentage of total money wagered on a slot machine that the casino retains over time. It is essentially the opposite of RTP (Return to Player).
Slot Tournament
A slot tournament is a competition where players compete against each other by playing slot machines within a set time or spin limit to win prizes based on who scores the most wins.
Slot Type
A slot type refers to the specific category or variation of a slot game based on its structure, features, or theme.
Spin
In slot games, a spin refers to a single round of gameplay where the reels are set into motion either manually by pressing a button or automatically through features like auto-spin.
Stacked Symbol
A stacked symbol is a type of slot symbol that appears in groups on a single reel, either partially or fully covering it.
Stacked Wilds
These wild symbols show up in vertical stacks, occupying many spots on a reel simultaneously.
Symbol
In slot games, a symbol is a graphical icon that appears on the reels and determines winning combinations.
Tight Slots
Slots that are programmed to have a lower payout percentage or hit frequency, meaning they pay out less often or in smaller amounts compared to other machines. These games are generally less favourable to players and are often contrasted with “loose slots,” which offer higher chances of winning.
Total Bet
In slot games, Total Bet refers to the complete amount of money wagered on a single spin. It is calculated by multiplying the bet per line by the number of active paylines.
U – Z
Video Slots
Video slots are digital slot machines that use advanced graphics, animations, and sound to create immersive gameplay experiences.
Virtual Reels
In slot games, virtual reels refer to a software-based system where each physical reel symbol is mapped to a much larger set of virtual positions.
Volatility
Essentially, volatility in slot games refers to how often and how much a player can expect to win over time and signifies the risk associated with any particular game.
Wager
Wagering in slots refers to the amount of money a player bets on a single spin of the reels.
Wild Multiplier
A wild multiplier is a unique wild symbol in slot games that not only replaces other symbols to form winning combinations but also boosts the payout by multiplying any win it helps create.
Wild Symbol
A wild symbol in slot games acts like a substitute for most other symbols on the reels, helping players complete winning combinations.
Winning Combinations
In slot games, winning combinations refer to specific sequences of matching symbols that appear on active paylines or across adjacent reels, depending on the game format.
Slot Machine Slang & Lingo
The slot community has only grown with more and more real money slots popping up across reliable online casinos. As a result, the change is also discernible in how slot players engage with each other, address player behavior, discuss slot machine terminology, and more.
While slot lingo comes and goes, some phrases remain deeply embedded in the discourse, and in this A-Z guide on slot terminology, we’ll explain all the phrases you’re likely to come across.
Player Slang
One-Armed Bandit
A traditional nickname for a mechanical or digital slot machine with a lever on one side.
Pokies
An informal way to address slot machines across Australia and New Zealand.
Onesies
A way to describe playing the game one turn (or one spin) at a time.
Hammer a Machine
Constantly playing only a single slot repeatedly, or over a long period of time.
Hit and Run
This describes a person leaving the game right after landing a significant win.
Sound of Rain
Describes the sound that coins make as they land into a brick-and-mortar slot machine tray after a significant win.
Streaky Slot
A slot that appears to deliver clusters of wins or losses over a short period.
Big Bertha
An old nickname for a popular or visually striking slot.
These are the phrases that have pretty much become a key part of slot culture. They don’t really have any implications for any concrete details about slots, like the RNG, volatility, or RTP, but they do the job of helping players describe how they feel about particular slot machines or players.
Land-Based vs. Online Slot Phrases
Some slot machine phrases are mainly associated with physical casino floors, since the environment of the casino floor shaped their formation. TITO, denomination, carousel, comps, slot club and Sound of Rain all originated from the equipment, payment methods or loyalty systems used at land-based casinos.
Online slot terminology is more likely to include demo slots, grid slots, Cluster Pays, RTP, bonus buys, and cascading reels because online slots tend to feature much more innovation. However, other terms, including paylines, wilds, scatters, jackpots and volatility, apply to both online and land-based games.
FAQs
Yes, many casinos give free versions of their slot games, allowing players to practice or enjoy the game without spending money.
High volatility slots give larger payouts but less frequently, while low volatility slots provide players with more frequent but smaller wins.
There is no guaranteed way to win, as slots are based on chance. However, playing games with higher RTP and managing your bankroll wisely can improve your experience.
Most casinos allow you to play slots directly in your browser, though some may require downloading a dedicated app or software for an enhanced experience.
Slot machine terminology is the collection of words used to describe slot controls, rules, symbols, payout systems and features, with common examples being RTP, reels, paylines, wilds, scatters, volatility and free spins.
Some of the most common slot machine terms are RTP, RNG, volatility, paylines, reels, wild symbols, scatter symbols, bonus rounds, free spins and jackpots.
Slot machine lingo refers to informal language used by players, such as pokies, one-armed bandit, hot machine, cold machine, hammer a machine, and hit and run.
Frequently used slot machine phrases include “spin the reels,” “trigger the bonus,” “hit the jackpot,” “land a wild,” “activate free spins”, and “form a winning combination.”
Variance is the measurement of how wide the results are distributed around the expected return, while volatility is the description of how frequently a slot tends to pay and how large those wins may be.
RTP means Return to Player and describes a slot’s theoretical long-term return percentage, while RNG means random number generator, which is the system that independently determines each spin’s result.
