In the early days of slot machines, all you needed to know to play was how to pull the lever, watch the reels, paylines and symbols and determine when you’d scored a win. Slot machines have evolved significantly over the years and today, each slot machine is unique.
Some continue to include limited numbers of paylines and symbols but others incorporate multiple elements and features that range from easier-to-achievepay ways instead of paylines to a multitude of different symbols that signal various bonus rounds, multipliers, substitution opportunities and more.
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Reels
Slot machine reels are the rotating wheels that you see when you hit “Spin” on a slot machine. These reels display symbols in various combinations. On every reel, you’ll see symbols so as soon as you activate the spin, the reels will eventually stop at random positions. The combination of symbols determines the outcome – matching combinations that have been formed, if any, and what those combinations are (the value of those matches, as determined by the value of the symbols matched).
There are three reel slots (more traditional, classic machines) and five- and six-reel slots. All reels on today’s machines are controlled by a random number generator (RNG) which is the mechanism that ensures fair play. Five- and six-reel slots have more symbols which allows for more complex combinations and higher jackpots.
Paylines
Paylines are lines that cross one symbol on each reel of the slot machine. They can be straight, zigzag, or even take various shapes. There can be anywhere from one payline, on a classic three-reel machine, to dozens, hundred and even more (on a megaways machine). In some machines, you choose the number of paylines that you want to play by activating them with a deposit – one deposit per activated payline. On other slots, there are fixed pay lines which means that all paylines are active on every spin.
To achieve a win, matching symbols must land in a specific combination on an active payline. Different symbols have different payouts. That means on the same machine you’ll have high-payout symbols and low payout symbols.
Symbols
Symbols are the images that appear on the reels. Older slot machines (and some retro machines) feature designs such as fruits, numbers and letters. Newer machines generally feature themed images that match the theme of the slot machine. Specific combinations of symbols on a payline result in payouts.
Wilds
The wild symbol substitutes for other symbols to help create winning combinations. A Wild increases your chances of hitting a payout.
Scatters
Multiple scatter symbols can trigger a special scatter combination payout which is activated when matching symbols appear on the reels, in any pattern. A scatter combination often triggers a bonus round, such as a round of free spins, etc.
Free Spins
Free spins are a type of bonus in which you spin the reels a set number of times without the need to deposit additional money. Your free spins payouts are real money wins and are added to your regular game payouts.
Multiplier
Multipliers are triggered randomly, multiplying the payout x2, x3, x4 or even more. You can even get multipliers on free spins!
Paytable
If you want to know which symbols pay out at which rate, check out the slot machine’s paytable. You’ll find information on the payouts for different symbol combinations and any special features the slot machine offers.
Jackpot
Every machine has a jackpot which is the highest possible regular game payout. Some slots feature progressive jackpots which are jackpot prizes that increase over time as participating players pay into the linked-machines’ jackpot pool. When one participating player spins the spin that triggers the progressive jackpot, he/she wins the entire jackpot prize. Progressive jackpots start out at a minimum amount and can reach substantial sums by the time the jackpot is triggered.
Return to Player
The RTP refers to the percentage that indicates the expected return a player can anticipate from a slot machine over an extended period. Today’s slot machines’ RTPs range from 95% to 97.5%. So, a slot with an RTP of 95% will return, on average, $95 for every $100 wagered. That means that, for higher payouts, you want a machine with the highest RTP possible.
Buy Bonus
Most games feature bonus rounds but in some slot machines, you can add a small deposit and buy extra bonus rounds and features to increase the entertainment and provide you with additional chances to win more winning payouts.
Bonus Wheels
Bonus Wheels have become more and more popular over the years and are now featured in a large percentage of the newest slot machines. Bonus Wheels are a special feature of either the bonus round or the regular game which, when triggered, allow the player to spin the Bonus Wheel for a chance to achieve bonus payouts, give-aways, match credits and other bonus gifts.
Take a few minutes to learn about slots jargon in order to maximizing your casino adventure.
