Virtual Slot Machines - Terms for Slots Machines - Dictionary
Below you'll find a listing of terms associated with slots (some are
used more frequently then others but it's still wise to learn them
an know their meanings). You don't really need to know any proper
terms to play slots but you may hear them form time to time and wonder
what they mean. We've only touched on the terms that are associated
with slot machines and slots gambling but if you visit Dictionary
of Gambling you'll find several other slots gambling terms from
A - Z.
Coin Size - The size of each bet played at the
slot machine. More than one coin can be played per spin of the wheel.
Coins Per Spin - The number of coins you can play
for each pull / spin of the wheels
Fill - When hoppers run out of coins, a fill is
called for which simply means an attendant gets a bag of coins from
the cashier and refills the empty hopper.
Hopper - This is where the coins are held in the
machine. Often hoppers are filled by players overflowing them, so
they don't only run empty they sometime overflow. When this happens
the excess coins drop into a bucket underneath the hopper. This
is the profit the casino takes. The buckets are usually emptied
in the early morning hours when the traffic is light.
Loose/Tight Slots - Loose slots have a higher
payout over a period of time. Usually achieved by having more payout
symbols. The opposite is true for tight slots.
One Armed Bandit - A popular slang term for the
slot machine.
Pay line - In general this is the middle line
of the slots window, but can vary depending on the type of slots
and the number of pay lines offered. Some slot machines offer five
pay lines and can offer up to 9 pay lines in some cases.
Payout Percentages - The measurement of a machine,
calculated by the number of times a given set of symbols occurs
in the computer selection table multiplied by its particular coin
payout. All these payouts are added up and divided by the total
possible combinations. The result is a percentage that, over the
long run, the machine will return to the player. The range, practically,
is 85 to 100 percent with few in the 97 to 100 category. The slot
manager when ordering the machine, to provide the casino’s
mix of machines, and move his overall payout up or down, determines
this number.
Pay Table - The schedule posted on a slot machine
that shows how much is paid for each winning combination.
Progressive Jackpot - This is a top prize that
grows as people play. Often these machines are linked up at several
casinos so the jackpots can grow very large. As always "reading"
the machine before you play is a must.
Progressive Slots - Offer growing jackpots dependent
upon amount of dollars played through the linked bank/carousel slots.
A larger bankroll is required and all progressives are at least
three coin max slots with two jackpot levels - primary and secondary.
When either jackpot wins, values are reset to minimums for each.
Max play is mandatory here.
Random Number Generator (RNG) - The heart of a
slot machine. The RNG randomly generates numbers that determine
the winning combinations. More
about the Random Number Generator
Reels - Wheels/reels showing on slot with symbol
combinations imprinted: usually three, but some slots have five.
Always remember that your chances of winning go down as the number
of reels goes up.
Symbols - Although lemons, cherries, and 7s are
familiar symbols that can be found on slot machines, the symbols
set on the reels can be whatever the casino or the manufacturer
chose. There is no absolute industry standard.
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