Comprehensive Guide to Slot Machines Terminology with Examples

In this article, I will share essential guidelines to familiarize the community with the intricate world of online slots and the fundamental elements that define slot games. Whether you are new to online slots or a seasoned player, it is important to know these essential terms for a fun and rewarding gaming experience. This tutorial offers fundamental terms and concepts, along with examples, to allow you to venture into the vibrant world of online slots with confidence and show you progressive slot games ZA.

Online Slots Terminology

Bonus

A bonus typically refers to a feature within an online slot game that awards players with free spins. These free spins are usually triggered by landing a specific combination of symbols on the reels. Bonuses can significantly enhance your gameplay by providing opportunities to win without placing additional bets.

Example: In the game "Starburst," landing three scatter symbols triggers a bonus round of 10 free spins.

Bet Value

The bet value is the amount you choose to wager each spin. This is generally a figure that can be altered by the player, so you have control over how much risk you take per spin. Your management of the bet value is how you control your playtime budget and receive maximum returns. 

Example: If you set the bet value to €0.50 per spin, the cost will be €0.50 per spin.

Credit

Credit refers to the amount of money displayed on the online slot machine's credit meter. It represents the total funds available for betting. The credit amount is typically shown in terms of the machine's credit value (e.g., 1 credit might equal €0.01, €0.02, etc.). Your total credits multiplied by the credit value equals your total money available.

Example: If your credit meter shows 1,000 credits and a credit is worth €0.01, you have €10 to wager with. 

Credit Value

The credit value is the monetary value of each credit in the game. It can vary from machine to machine and can be 1, 2, 5, or 10 cents (€0.01, €0.02, €0.05, or €0.10) as standard. Understanding the credit value enables you to know the real value of your credits and consequently manage your bankroll.

Example: If in a particular internet slot machine game the credit denomination is €0.02, and you have 500 credits, you have a total of €10 (500 credits x €0.02) money in hand.

Free Spins

Free spins are spins that are not played using a bet from your balance. Free spins are typically awarded as part of a bonus round in the game. Free spins offer players additional chances of winning without depleting their credit balance.

Example: In "Gonzo's Quest," when you land three free spin symbols, you are awarded 20 free spins.

Fruit Machine

A fruit machine is another term for an online slot machine, commonly used in the UK. The name comes from the first mechanical slot machines, which featured fruit symbols such as cherries, lemons, and oranges.

Example: A classic UK fruit machine can feature symbols such as cherries, lemons, and oranges and three reels.

Game of Chance

A game of chance is one in which the outcome is predominantly determined by a randomizing device, i.e., a slot machine. There is minimal opportunity for skill in such games, and the outcome is unpredictable. 

Example: Online slots are games of chance in which the outcome of each spin is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG).

Hit

A hit is a winning spin on an online slot machine. It means the spin has paid off, either a jackpot or a small win.

Example: You spin the reels and hit three BAR symbols; you have a hit and win according to the paytable.

Hold Percentage

The hold percentage is the notional amount that an online slot machine is programmed to hold from the total money wagered over a duration of time. It is the house edge that ensures the casino is profitable in the long run. A 5% hold percentage machine, for example, is programmed to hold €5 for each €100 wagered.

Example: A hold percentage of 5% on an online slot machine will, on average, keep €5 of every €100 wagered in the long run.

Jackpot

The jackpot is the highest possible payout on an online slot machine. It can be a fixed amount or a progressive jackpot that increases over time as players make wagers. The jackpot is the slot player's ultimate goal, with the largest potential return.

Example: In the progressive slot game "Mega Moolah," the jackpot builds up to millions, with the largest payout recently standing at €15 million.

Pay Out

The payout is the money that is awarded to a player upon winning a combination or jackpot. The payout value is dependent on the specific combination of symbols as well as the game paytable.

Example: If you land a combination of five sevens, and the paytable indicates this combination pays 500 credits, you will receive 500 credits.

Pay Table

The paytable provides detailed information on the game's symbols, winning combinations, and payouts related to them. It informs the player what they will win for each combination of symbols and lets them know the value of each spin.

Example: The "Book of Ra" paytable shows that five explorer symbols on a payline pay 5,000 credits.

Reel

Reels are the vertical wheels that spin inside the online slot machine. The reels are adorned with symbols, and the goal is to have the symbols form specific combinations to win payouts. Most online slot machines nowadays have five reels, but older models have three.

Example: In the "Cleopatra" game, five reels are populated with symbols like Cleopatra, scarabs, and hieroglyphics.

RNG (Random Number Generator)

A Random Number Generator, or RNG, is a program used in internet-based slot machines to produce a sequence of numbers that cannot reasonably be anticipated. This renders each spin independent of the previous, making the game fair and random.

Example: If you press the spin button on "Thunderstruck II," the RNG generates a random sequence that will determine the outcome of the spin, rendering the game equitable.

RTP (Return to Player)

RTP, or Return to Player, is the theoretical percentage of total money wagered on an online slot machine that is returned to players over time. For example, a 96% RTP machine will theoretically pay out €96 for every €100 wagered. The RTP gives players an idea of how much they can theoretically get back in the long run.

Example: "Starburst" is 96.1% RTP, meaning that theoretically, €96.10 is returned to players for every €100 wagered in the long run.

Volatility

Volatility, or variance, determines the risk level and payout frequency of an online slot game. High volatility slots pay out less frequently but in higher amounts, while low volatility slots pay out smaller amounts more often. The volatility of a game can influence the strategy and entertainment for the player.

Example: "Dead or Alive" is a highly volatile game with rare but potentially huge payouts, whereas "Starburst" is a low-volatility game with frequent but smaller payouts.

Wild

A wild symbol is a unique icon that can be used in place of other symbols to assist in forming winning combinations. Wilds can enhance your possibility of landing a payout by substituting for missing symbols in a payline.

Example: In "Mega Fortune," the yacht symbol is a wild, substituting other symbols to create a winning combination.

Win Line

A win line, or payline, is the line on which a winning combination of symbols must be in order for a player to receive payment. Modern online slot games may have multiple win lines, which increase the chances of obtaining a winning combination.

Example: In "Rainbow Riches," one of the win lines might be a horizontal line across the middle row, where the same symbols have to appear in order to win.

Understanding these key terms will enhance your online slots experience, allowing you to make informed decisions and enjoy the game to its fullest. Whether you are playing for fun or in pursuit of a big win, knowledge is your best friend in the exciting world of online slots.