Common Slots Terms

Common Slots Terms

Since their invention, slot machines have been a casino staple. Slots are still popular today among adults of all ages. However, in order to enjoy slots games to the fullest, players should familiarize themselves with slots terminology. Without an understanding of slots terms, it can be difficult to not only understand the various rules and payouts of different games, but to participate in the ever-growing land and online slots community.

The below slots terms were compiled by veteran OPA slots players and refer to basic words used in and around slot machines. An awareness of slots slang words and slots terms will help to make you more comfortable in the presence of others who also enjoy slot machine action.

Occasionally, online casinos post their own versions of game glossaries, which can prove beneficial in identifying the language used by players that is specific to the site. The below OPA slots glossary will get you started.

Slots Terminology

B
Bank
A row of slot machines. These machines are often of the same or similar style.
Blank
An empty spot on a slot machine reel found between two symbols. This is often the result of a slot machine spin. It is commonly called a “ghost.”
Bonus Slots Game
The result of a winning spin on a video slot that enables players to proceed to a “bonus slots game” to give them an opportunity to augment their score and add onto their winnings.
Bonus Slots Multiplier
A slots game that offers players a higher jackpot if they bet the maximum coinage for that game.

C
Carousel
A bank of slot machines in a round or oval grouping.
Casino Edge
The advantage that the casino holds on any bet in the casino parlour. In slots, the casino edge is somewhere between 5 percent to 15 percent, depending on the online casino and the game that is played.

E
EGM
Electronic Gaming Machine, which is an electronic game with a computer chip that determines the outcome.

F
Free Slots Games
Games generally played in no download, flash format that do not require players to insert real money to initiate play. These games are intended to expose players to the software used by the casino and to familiarize themselves with the game rules.

H
Hold
The difference between what a slot machine takes in and what it must pay out, as mandated by law. This is the profit margin of the slot machine.

J
Jackpot
The top prize a player can win on a slot machine. These jackpots can either be fixed or progressive.

L
Loose Slot
A slot machine that appears to return larger average payouts or has more winning symbols on its reels.

M
Max Bet
The maximum bet that a player can make per spin. In the vast majority of cases, this is the only way a player can win the main jackpot.
Multi-Line Slot
A slot machine that has several pay lines. Some video machines have up to fifty pay lines or so.

P
Pay Table
A mathematical table on a slot machine that displays the winning combination of symbols and their respective payouts, depending on the number of coins wagered.
Payback Percentage
This refers to the percentage of money a slot machine takes in that it pays back to players. For example, a machine that posts a “98% Payback” means that it has a 2% advantage, and pays back 98% of what it takes in back to the players in the form of payouts.
Payout Percentage
The sum of the winning percentages for each winning spin. For example, 7-7-7 may have a 3% total payback percentage over the life of that machine.
Progressive Jackpot
A jackpot that grows every time there is a bet made on that game. With each play, the jackpot grows larger, and the amount is usually displayed to entice players to try for the jackpot.

R
RGN
An acronym for Random Number Generator, the computer program that determines which symbols or blanks appear on each reel.
Rhythm Method
This is a technique that some players use in order to time the spins on a machine. Since most machines dictate their results in millimetres of a second, this strategy is of no bearing on the result of each spin.

S
Slot Club
A club that entitles slot players to receive comps. Check the rules of a particular online casino for further instructions.

T
Tight Slot
A slot machine that appears to give out lower than average payouts and has fewer winning symbols on its reels.

W
Wild Symbol
A symbol that can act as a substitute for any winning symbol. It appears on the reel as “WILD.”
Winning Spin
This is attained with a combination of symbols appearing on the reels that will cause the machine to dispense a payout. While there are many combinations that will lead to winning spins, only one combination will yield the ultimate jackpot win at slots.