Slot Glossary: Key Terminology for Online Slots

By Cassy

Published Aug 21st, 2024

Gambling

Slot Glossary: Key Terminology for Online Slots

Knowing the basic terms for online slots is important. It helps you understand how the games work, make better choices, and use bonuses wisely. Learning these words lets you play smarter, pick the right games, and improve your chance of winning, making each spin more fun and possibly more rewarding. So, here are the most online slot terms you need to know.

3 Reel

A slot that has three columns of spinning symbols.

5 Reel

A slot that has five columns of spinning symbols.

6 Reel

A slot that has six columns of spinning symbols.

AutoPlay

This automatically spins the reels for a set number of times or until specific conditions are met, allowing for hands-free play.

Avalanche

An “Avalanche” is when symbols fall into place, and if they make winning combinations, new symbols drop down to fill the empty spots. This can create more wins all in one spin.

screenshot-of-wanted-dead-or-a-wild-by-hacksaw-at-BC.Game — Wanted: Dead or a Wild is an example of a 5-reel slot.

Bet Sizes

The amount of money you choose to wager on each spin or game. You can usually adjust this amount to be higher or lower, depending on how much you want to bet.

Bonus Features

These are special parts of the game that give you extra chances to win or add fun elements. They can include things like free spins, ezra symbols, or mini-games that aren’t part of the regular game.

Cascading Reels

This is where after you get a winning combination, the winning symbols disappear and new ones fall down to replace them. This can lead to more wins from the same spin.

Cluster Pays

This is a game feature where you win by matching groups or clusters of symbols, rather than lining them up in rows. The more symbols you have in a cluster, the bigger your win.

Coin In

This is the total amount of money you put into a game. It is the sum of all the coins or bets you have placed.

Coin Out

This is the total amount of money you win or get back from the game. It is the sum of all the payouts or winnings you receive.

Free Play

This means you can play a game without spending your own money. You might get free credits or spins as a bonus, allowing you to play and potentially win without any cost.

Free Spin

They are often given as a bonus or part of a promotion, and any winnings from these spins are usually added to your balance.

Hit

It means landing a winning combination of symbols or achieving a successful outcome. For example, a “hit” occurs when the symbols on the reels align in a way that gives you a payout.

Maximum Bet

This is the highest amount you can wager on a single spin.

screenshot-of-gates-of-olympus-1000-by-pragmatic-play-at-BC.Game

Megaways

This changes the number of symbols on each reel with every spin, creating thousands of potential winning combinations.

Minimum Bet

This is the lowest amount you can wager on a single spin.

Max Payout

This refers to the highest possible amount a player can win from a single spin.

Multipliers

Multipliers are features that multiply your winnings by specific factors, increasing the payout of a winning combination.

Payout

This is the amount of money players receive after winning a spin, based on the winning combination and the bet amount.

Paylines

The lines on a slot where matching symbols must land to create winning combinations and trigger payouts.

Paytable

This is a chart or screen that shows the payout amounts for different symbol combinations, bonus features, and special game rules.

Random Number Generator

This is a software algorithm used to ensure that each spin’s outcome is random and independent, guaranteeing fair play and unpredictability.

Return to Player

A percentage that indicates the average amount of wagered money a slot is expected to pay back to players over time.

Reels

The vertical columns that spin and display symbols, with the goal of lining up matching symbols across paylines to achieve a win.

Scatters

These are the special symbols that can trigger bonus features, free spins, or payouts regardless of their position on the reels.

screenshot-of-sugar-rush-1000-by-pragmatic-play-at-BC.Game — Scatter symbols active on Sugar Rush 1000 slot

Shifting Wilds

This is a feature in an online slot game where the symbols on the reels move or change position during or after a spin, potentially creating new winning combinations.

Variance

Also known as volatility. This refers to the level of risk indicating how often and how much it pays out. High variance offers bigger, less frequent wins, while low variance provides smaller, more frequent payouts.