Slots Terminology and Useful Information

Below find definitions to words related to slots and pages with useful information. Both will help you to understanding slots better.

Useful Information

• 4 Features of Online Slots
• 5 Models- Deciding Tournaments
• 5 Types of Online Slots
• ABC’s of Mac Compatibility

Slots Terminology

This slot glossary includes Slots Gaming Terminology related to on line gaming as well as land based Casino gaming. It’s all very educational. This knowledge can be applied here on line with many of the articles you read. It will also be helpful in Casinos you might want to experience “On Land”.

Alexa – Is an Internet company that is owned by Google. Alexa takes Google’s Spider data and classifies , analyzes and provides date about web sites on the Internet. Refer to this page for details about Alexa.

Balanced % Win – is a term applied to a system to calculate who on a tournament. Balanced Percentage Win is based on a percentage of wins or losess and not gross winnings amount. In other words this evens the playing table for persons with a high or low bank role. If you start out with $1000 and you end up with $2000 at the end of the tournament thenyou have won 100%. So a player who started out with only$100 and won $150 for and end sunm of $250 has beat the person with a larger sum of money.

Bank - A row of slot machines.  Machines in a bank are often the same or similar style of game.

Bet Level – Refers to the number of coins or chips that will be placed on each Payline. Slot Machines always have a certain number of coins that are allowed to be bet on each payline. Normally they are from 1 to 10. Sometimes the term Pay Line is used instead of Bet Line.

Bet line - is the line (straight or bent) that  symbols must stop on to make a win. You could have  just one bet line  going horizontally from left to right, such as in a simple fruit slot. Or you could have 50 bet lines that are so intertwined that it is almost impossible to see them all at one time.

Blank -  refers to an empty spot on a slot machine reel between two symbols.  This spot is also called a “ghost”. Not all slots have the ghost. Personally I stay away from them… too scary!

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Bonus Feature – many of the newer slots have an added feature that automatically gives you free spins, a bonus round or includes a BONUS GAME which differs but accentuates the slots you are spinning. This is an important aspect of Slotting these days. Click here to read more and to know ALL about bonus features.

Buttons – Let you interact with the machine.

Carousel – This refers to the layout of the slot machines on the casino floor, many times in a round or oval formation. This terminology is obviously for land-lubber’s casinos of brick and mortar. Because my slot is upon my desk.

Change Person – refers to a  Casino worker that provides change to slot players.

Classic  slot – (One-Liners) These where the first slots invented back in the wild west. They have 3 reels and only 1 line. They are the simplest of slot games and a good one for teething. Other names are Fruit slot or One-Liners.

Coins or Chips – These  two terms are used interchangeably. This is the (online) imaginary token placed in the machine to start the spin.  Some classical slot games have a set value. But this is going out of fashion. Normal denominations range from .01$ to 5$.  Sometimes these values need to be selected BEFORE entering a specific game. Other slots give you the option of selecting a different coin/chip size casually between spins. I would think that is a LOT better. Don’t you? The more recent slot games give you the option of placing more than one chip on each pay line. So imagine… if a chip was worth $5 and you could place 10 chips per pay line, with 45pay lines the spin would be worth $2250. Sure… no problem. Just put it on AUTO and sit back and watch.

Comps - Rewards for slot players, such as free buffets, souvenirs, even free hotel rooms.  For example the more often a player wagers, the higher the player’s “comp points” accumulate.

Double Up – I like this feature. It’s chancy and that is what I like. Double up is found on many Australian style slots. It offers the chance to double or quadruple your win by choosing  heads or tails, red or black or one of the four card suits.

Drop Box - A box that collects extra coins from the hopper below and inside the slot machine.

Edge – or “House Edge” is the difference between true odds on a wager and the payout for a winning bet. Another term used interchangeable is “House Advantage”.

Fill - Hoppers run out of coin on occasion. This could happen with a few small payouts or when a jackpot is won. When this happens a “fill” is called for. An employee gets a bag of coins from the secret room and refills the empty hopper.

Free Spins – These are awarded spins when a combination of symbols line up. Normally the symbols are called “scatter symbols” and you need 3 on a pay line. Sometimes the game offers free spins when the scatter symbols show but they don’t have to be on any pay line. I like that better.

Fruit Machine – The first slot machines had only fruit symbols. So these are a traditional slot. The UK still uses this version of slots which commonly have features such as the option to hold the reels, nudge and bonus games.

Hand Pay – This is a brick and mortar casino term used when a player receives a cash payment from a slot casino attendant.  This usually occurs when the pay is too large for the machine to pay automatically. Nice word. Funny how I like some terms more than others.

Hash Function – A hash function is a way to confirm that two parties both know the same thing without sharing what that thing actually is. For example, if you are creating a website and need to store usernames and passwords, it is best not to store the password in the database (because the database could become compromised or accessed by an untrustworthy person) Instead you store a hash of the password. A hash is computed by using the values of each letter in the string (e.g., X is 82, Y is 83, etc.) and their positions, which are subject to a mathematical function to create a hash. So if the SHA256 of my password is 2cf24dba5fb0a30e26e83b2ac5b9e29e1b161e5c1fa7425e73 043362938b9824, then that is stored in the database, and when I try to login the password I enter (in this case ‘hello’) is hashed using the SHA256 algorithm – if you enter hello here: http://dev.zer0day.com/PHP%20Hasher.php it will always give that same value. Another characteristic is that a hash function should give a completely different hash for “hello” compared with say “hellp”, which makes it hard to crack subsections.

(There is a video explaining here: http://www.betvoyager.com/demo/roulette.htm.)

They are not hashing the next 20 numbers (which would be vulnerable because after you had say 19 numbers, there would only be 37 possibilities for the hash), but only the next number. The are not hashing just the number, because that would leave only 37 possible hashes, but the number together with a randomised code word. After the spin occurs they reveal the code word, which, when hashed with the result of the spin, will give the pre-shared SHA256. Bchanging one character of the code word would result in a completely different hash, it is impossible for them to change the result of the next spin according to your bet. This doesn’t prove that their RNG is perfect or that the wheel is unbiased, but it does mean that they cannot cheat you.

High Roller – Refers to a player who looks for high stakes and slot machines that have a huge Jackpot. I wealthy High Roller might look for a slot machine that has a $200 to $1000 value per spin

Hit Frequency / Rate – Refers the frequency at which winning spins occur. A higher hit frequency is better, although you have to take the machines pay cycle into account. This can make measuring the hit frequency rather difficult. But hit frequency is only one aspect of a “loose” machine. For example you could hit frequently but with little payout. Or you could hit very seldom but win large amounts. I like the latter.

Hold and Re-Spin – This is a very lucrative feature. You are allowed to hold one of the reels still and spin the rest. Yeh well… its not to hard to figure out that holding a reel with a scatter or bonus symbol and trying to get a few more to show up by re-spinning the other reels is a “GOOD THING”.

Hold - This is the house profit. In Land Based Casinos it ranges from 3 to 15%. But in online casinos it ranges from 1 to 5%. Slots have the lowest hold percentages of all the casino games. The more common term in on line gaming is “Payout”. You will find these “Payout Percentages” listed in many places of  this web site. It is good to know. You can play slots a long time and not expect to loose much money. Slotting is cheap entertainment at its best.

Hopper – This word is associated with brick and mortar slot machines. It is the compartment where the coins you put in fall. Often hoppers are filled to overflowing. The extra chips drop into a bucket below the hopper. This is the profit of the casino owner. The buckets are emptied in the morning hour.. Hey! wouldn’t you like that job? Better yet, of coarse, would be owning the Casino. “Have a cigar Big Guy.”

Jackpot – Used loosely this term refers to the highest possible win on a slot machine. It really doesn’t have to be a set jackpot or progressive. Some times slot machines pay out, for example, 200,000 coins if 4 or 5 wild symbols align. This is also a “jackpot win”.

Linked Jackpot – A term used interchangeable for Progressive Jackpot.

Loose/Tight Slots – Loose slots have better payoffs, tight slots do not. When you are behind a “loose” slot machine you can feel it. You look at the reels going around and it seems as though you can make them stop on the pay line just by “thinking it so”. The payouts come quickly and you cant believe it. It happens to me quite often. But when its tight and you “feel it”  just go to another casino or game…simple hey? Listen to your intuition.

Loss Limit - is the percentage of your bankroll that you are prepared to loose on a machine before leaving the bitch.

Low Level Slot Machines - These slots are lower to the floor where you sit down to play. Again they must mean “the other guys” casinos down town.

Max Bet - can be played by hitting just one button on the slot game. It will place the maximum number of chips allowed on ALL pay lines. How sweet!

Multiline - Slot that having more than one pay lines to form winning combinations. I have seen slots with up to 50 pay lines. More commonly you will see 9 or 15 pay lines. I would imagine that is plenty. With 50 you hardly know why it is paying out. It’s hard to see. You just sit back and rely on the MACINES BRAIN to do the sorting out. Gosh I hope it’s a bright clunk of machinery.
Payback – The amount of coins a machine will pay you on a winning combination. This depends on the amount of coins played and their value you have assigned to them.

Multiplier Slots – Could refer to two similar but different things:

• Some games have a feature where the scatter symbol appears and awards you with a multiplication o fthe bet won. It could show x1 or up to x10. You would multiply your wining amount by this number.
• Or could refer to the payout changing depending on the number of coins played. For example, if you hit a combination that pays out $40 and you’ve inserted 1 coin, you will win $40, but if you had inserted 2 coins you would’ve won $80.

Naked Pulls – A Naked Pull means a spin that yields no win.

Pay Cycle - Slots go through pay cycles. After taking in a number of coins the slot machine must pay out more or payout less in order to meet the percentage that has been programmed into the slot game. In actuality this is not true. The programmed chip never changes. But it might take a while to settle into the programmed percentage. But the player has a hard time seeing this in action. It would seem as though if  a slot has not hit the jackpot in a long while, then you have a better chance of it happening on the next spin. Mathematicians however insist that this is only illusionary and the chances of the next spin hitting it big are the same. But if you ask me (no body has but I will tell you just the same) I would rather be behind a slot that has not hit the jackpot in two months than one that has just been yesterday. How about you? Brainy mathematicians can be so dumb. I mean VERY stupid.

Pay for Play Machines – This refers to the different amounts won if you played 1 coin, 2 coins or 3 coins.

Pay line – (Bet line)  the Pay Line on simple classic slot machines refers to the line in the middle of the window  going from left to right. But with more sophisticated slot games it refers to many lines…multiple lines. They can be straight diagonal or even zigzagged pay lines. Winning symbols on a pay line will drop coins in the tray in land based casinos. On line games these symbols aligned on a pay line will just plain make you smile.

Pay Table – A chart that explains the combinations you must hit in order to win. The pay table will also explain how many coins must be played in order to win certain jackpots and displays bonus features.

Play Through - (Playthrough) refers to wager restrictions on bonus money. For an example 30 plathroughs indicates that the receiver of the bonus must wager the bonus amount plus the deposit 30 times before he can withdraw winnings or the remainder of his balance. So id your bonus and deposit was $100 then $3000 must be wagered befor funds can be withdrawn from the players account.

Play And Run – refers to a strategy. First you need to define how much you are willing to loose before going on to a looser slot machine. Then do it.

Plowing In – Refers to a player betting with his or her winnings.

Pokies – This term is an Australian slang for slot machines.

Progressive Jackpot – The software providers actually operate the games for the Casinos partners. It is the software providers that can organize the progressive accumulation of large Jackpots. Over the entire system of their partner casinos, they take just a few pennies from each spin and place it in a progressively increasing Jackpot account. So in a relatively short period of time this account could grow into the millions of bucks. Need I explain more? It will change the life a when hit.

Progressive Meter – refers to the tab that displays the current progressive jackpot.  In most cases, the numbers displayed will show a continuous increase to entice players to try for the ever-growing jackpot.

PRNG – Pseudo Random Number Generators are computational algorithms produce “very long” sequences of random numbers. These numbers are actually determined by a shorter initial value, known as a seed or key. Therefore it cannot be regarded as a true random number generator, since its output is based on calculations rather than a physical “entropic” phenomenon. So when communicating in very exact terms these generators are often called a pseudo random number generator, or PRNG .  If at any time you were to look at the certifications of a particular online casino you would be seeing on the certification the term PRNG used. Intense statistical analysis of the output is often done to have confidence in the algorithm. Therefore the certifications need to be done, analyzed and published for us players.  Carefully chosen PRNG’s can be used instead of true random numbers in online slot games. The numbers generated are quasi-sequential true, but they are “exceedingly long”. A player could never stay at the machine long enough to have the numbers repeat in any understandable predictable way. Besides this, the numbers are continually being produced, yet the player is selecting a number only periodical. PRNG’s birthed the online slot machine industry by creating more possibilities and faster than a mechanical slot machine ever could. There would not be large Jackpots today nor a popular slot machine game industry if we were still using mechanical slot games.

Rain on the Roof – is a land based casino terminology referring to the clattering sound of coins falling into the metal bin after a big slot payout.

Randomnes Control -

Reels – The reels in classic slots are 3 in number. You can also find slots with up to 16 reels. I am sure given a few more years, we will see 100 reel slot machines. The poor slot game designers back in the software providers back room have to out do what already exists…so get ready.

Rhythm Method – Is an outdated term or technique used in order to time the spins on a machine.  But since machines generate  their results on 1/1000th of a second, this method is questionable at best with our newer faster video slots.

Row - In slots terminology a row refers to the reel symbols that show on video slots going from left to right. For instance you might have 5 reels, when the reels stop spinning you might be able to see not just the row in the center but you can see clearly 3 or 4 rows going across. Many times a slot will refer to having, 5- reels, 4- 4ows. So you have 20 symbols showing at one time, like Relic Raiders on the right.

RNG-Random Number Generator – A whiz computer chip embedded inside the slot by the software provider. It randomly selects numbers and symbols at a rate faster than light. This is accomplished AFTER the spin button is pushed. This magic chip also monitors and readjusts the payout rate to make sure that the slot machine will give a payout percentage that is pre programmed into the game by the house.

Reel Strips - is the actual symbols that are in a particular squence on the reel of a slot machine. For example see image below right.

RTP- Return To Player refers to online casino payouts. As The ful name implies it is the amount of cash given back to the player over a long period of play.

Scatter Symbols - These are symbols that produce a win regardless of where they show up on the window. Scatter symbols are usually associated with a bonus or a bonus game. Two or three scatter symbols appearing anywhere on the board and you can go into a “BONUS GAME”. These are my favorite. They can be very challenging and it breaks up the time waiting for that life saving progressive jackpot to come roaring in.

Short Pay - When a slot machine does not have enough money in its hopper to pay the entire payout. So a slot casino attendant will physically pay the winner the difference.
Skill Stop - When the Spin Button is pressed all of the reels will stop spinning. There is a certain amount of skill to this, hence the name Skill Stop. Skill Stop buttons came into popularity before video slots were invented. They were a feature on the mechanical slot machines of the slot machines of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Slant top – A slot machine that is wider and shorter than other slot machines. these are becoming increasingly more popular in land based casinos and are replacing many traditionally sized machines.

Slot Cheat -  A player who uses a mechanical or electronic device in order to gain an unfair advantage on the slot machine.  Most jurisdictions consider slot cheating a felony offense. All is fair in love, war and gambling does not stand up as a defense in Federal court.

Slot Club – A system that entitles slot players to bonuses or comps.  Players normally sign up for their club card at the relations desk.  Players then insert their card into the machine’s card reader.  The card records the player’s stats and holds player data, including bonus points. This system is much easier online. Most online casinos offer something similar called VIP clubs where similar comps are accumulated.

Slot Ticket -  In modern casinos, a slot machine will print out a ticket for a player’s winnings instead of dropping coins into a hopper.  Slot tickets have expiration dates. Players are encouraged to cash in their tickets as soon as possible.

Slot Tournament - Slot club members play against each other in open tournaments offered by the host casino not the software provider. Tournament players often receive trophies, free vacations or a new Mac computer as well as cash prizes.

Stacked Wilds -Are wild symbols in the slot window that are two or more together on the same payline.

Stand Up Slot Machines – These machines are played while you stand up. In that way you don’t break a chair when you hit the Progressive Jackpot. Good idea, hey?

Static jackpot - Refers to a fixed payout for a jackpot that never changes. As opposed to a progressive jackpot, which is progressively increasing.

Stand Up Slot Machines – These machines are played while you stand up. In that way you don’t break a chair when you hit the Progressive Jackpot. Good idea, hey?

Sticky Wild Symbols - These are Wild symbols that show, then do not move for the next few spins. This is normal offered in a free spin mode. The Scatters accumulate during the free spins making for a lot more combinations.

Symbols – The icons that appear on the reels are of an infinite variety and can be practically anything that the software providers can dream up. And there is a lot of dreaming going on. Symbol types are normally scatter, bonus and wild symbols.

Take Cycle - This is the reverse of the pay cycle. If you are smarter than the college degree stiffs and justifiable subscribe to the pay/take philosophy then you believe that a pay cycle is followed by a take cycle. You may get the small hit but in reality it’s feeding time for the slot. Ever see sharks go at it?  Sorry… I gata go.

Take down - a term used by disgruntled players when the describe ho w hey lost their winnings to a premeditated plan by the casino operatores. It is normally used in a derogatory statement.

Telnaes - In 1984 Inge Telnaes invented what he called the “Electronic Gaming Device Utilizing a Random Number Generator for Selecting the Reel Stop Positions.”

Token – This is strictly Land-lubber talk. A Token refers to a disc used instead of a coin.  For token-driven machines, a change person can exchange a player’s cash for equivalent tokens, just like chips at the roulette wheel

Video Slot - A slot machine that uses a computer screen and video reels instead of physical spinning reels. Hello… sound familiar? 100% of the on line slots are video. However sometimes the term is used for the Bonus Game slot machines. These are the popular slot games “within” the slot reels aspin’in.

Wild Multiplier - A wild symbols that substitutes for any other symbols AND multiplies any win it is a part of.

Wild Symbol - A symbol that can stand for any symbol needed to make a winning combination. They are similar to a joker in some card games. Normally these animals are indigenous to Africa. Are you paying attention here? Good!

Window -  In a  brick and mortar casino this term refers to the glass opening that displays the results of a reel’s spin. In online casinos the plural form of this noun refers to an inferior type software program. The better systems are referred to as Mac.

Winning Spin -  A certain combination of symbols aligning on the reels that will cause the slot to produce a payout.

WR – Wager Restrictions. This refers to restrictions placed on Welcom bonuses or even normal bonuses before you can withdraw winnings. There can be other WR as well, such as limiting jackpot wins or placing a ceiling on wins in general.