Slots Glossary

For those new to online slots, the terminology used can often be a bit overwhelming. Here we list the most commonly used words and phrases around today.

Coin Size - This simply refers to the bet size. For example, a nickel, quarter, dime or dollar.

Coins per spin - In any slots game, you have the option to play multiple coins per spin.

Fill - When the machine or hopper is empty, for example after a jackpot has been won, an attendant will fill the empty hopper with new coins. This specifically relates to land-based casinos.

Hit Rate - The average rate at which a machine produces winning and non-winning spins.

Hold - This refers to a percentage of the total coins played on a machine, which are taken by the casino as profit. The average is around seven to ten percent for land based casinos but much lower for online casinos, somewhere between 3% and 5%.

Hopper - This refers to the coins held inside the machine. When the hopper is full, the surplus is returned to the casino as profit. This most commonly refers to land-based casinos. Online casinos however do have maximum jackpots, so anything taken by the machine in excess of the jackpot amount is the casinos profit.

Max Bet - In most online slots, you have the option to place multiple bets on a single spin. The maximum bet is the most number of coins you can play per spin.

Progressive Jackpot - This is the jackpot total of all the machines linked that network.

Pay cycle - Once a machine has taken a certain number of coins, many believe that a pay cycle or pay out is due. This is not true of online slots, which use sophisticated technology to determine a random number of combinations.

Pay-line - A winning line or lines of matching slot symbols.

Payout Percentages - This refers to the percentage a machine has proven to pay out over an extended period of time - which could be weeks or even months. It's important to note that the payout percentage does not refer to the payback expected in a single session or game.

Pay Table - The table refers to the winning combinations specific to a particular slot machine. Pay tables vary markedly from machine to machine.

Progressive Slots - Progressive slots operate as part of a network of machines that all contribute part of their play-through to a generous grand total jackpot.

Random Number Generator (RNG) - Online slot machines use a computer microchip known as a Random Number Generator, which generates over several billion combinations the moment you spin. This ensures the machines cannot be rigged or tampered with in any way.

Reels - Set-up vertically, the reels are the part of the machine that 'spin' each time you play. Online slots are usually based on three or five reels.

Symbols - These are simply the icons used on each reel (for example, a Kings Head, a piece of fruit, an anchor etc).

Take cycle - If a machine has just paid out, many believe that the machine will follow this with a 'take cycle', where a machine will hold onto coins until another jackpot, small or large, is due. This is not true of online slots due to the Random Number Generator (RNG).

Tilt - This refers specifically to land based slots, which may experience a mechanical problem during play if the machine is empty of coins or if a coin becomes stuck inside the coin slot.

Top Prize - The maximum amount you can win on a particular machine.

Winning Combinations - Listed on the pay table, this refers to various combinations required to generate a win.

Wild Symbol - This symbol can be substituted for any other symbol in the game to generate a win.