Author: Sebastian Scheplitz
The timeless appeal of slot machines has drawn many a new gambler to the table since Bavarian-born American inventor Charles August Fey first invented the “Liberty Bell” – the first-ever slot machine – in 1894.
The rest, as the cliché goes, is history.
Since then, slot machines have taken the gambling world by storm – and in today’s day and age of online casinos, slots have never been as popular as they are now.
And whether you’re a longtime fan, a new player, an aspiring content writer, or an established iGaming content manager, understanding basic slots terminology – the often daunting slang that comes with the territory – is essential for your enjoyment and success.
But don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through it.
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As you can see, you can’t experience the same thrill as a player and the community around the game without fundamental knowledge of basic slots terminology, nor can you expect to be taken seriously as an iGaming writer or marketer without having nary a clue about slot machine terms.
At the same time, iGaming translation and localization professionals need to know the definitions of universally recognized and most common slot terms to nail the most appropriate word in the target language – and likewise use them when the direct translation isn’t available in the said target language.
The Complete Translation Royale Glossary of Slots Terminology
The exponential growth in popularity slot machines are enjoying – as well as the jargon surrounding them – means there is always something new for everyone to learn.
Whether you’ve just begun on your slots journey or are a grizzled veteran of the one-armed bandits, you’ll never feel out of place wherever you play with our glossary of slots terms featuring side-by-side explanations.
Smarten yourself up to the game, feel the thrill, and boost your iGaming content writing skills or your iGaming content marketing efforts by knowing the slang surrounding slots!
3D video slots
Slot games that offer incredibly detailed, animation-heavy graphics providing rich gameplay depth that animates the symbols whenever a payline is hit.
3-reel slots
A slot game that has a three-reel format in addition to three rows of symbols that spin each time you press the start button. Reels are where the symbols are placed on.
5-reel slots
A slot game with five reels and either three or four rows of symbols. See 3-reel slots.
Active payline
Refers to the winning payline currently active and in play, which results in a payout if it hits a winning combination. Slot machines featuring multiple paylines enable players to choose how many active paylines they wish to play with on each spin.
Auto spin
A common feature that allows players to automatically set the number of spins within a session without having to press the start button every time.
Bet min/ bet max
“Bet min” refers to the minimum wager you are allowed on any spin, while “bet max” refers to the maximum wager.
Betting units
Betting units refer to the units wagered used to place bets determined by the denomination of the slot machine. Also referred to as “credits.”
Big Bertha
Big Bertha refers to the massive, eye-catching slot games with multiple reels you would find near the entrance of brick-and-mortar casinos designed to draw attention.
Bonus features
More and more slot games offer bonus features that can be set off randomly or based on a particular combination of symbols. Bonus features such as free spins, wilds, and scatters add excitement to the game and offer different ways to win.
Branded slots
Slot games based on classic movies, current TV shows, or musicians and bands with features, animations, music, and graphics based on them.
Cascading reels
An exciting feature where symbols on a winning line disappear, consequently displaying replacement symbols that may create another winning line within the same spin. Slot games featuring cascading reels offer more than just one payline. Also referred to as avalanche slots or tumbling reels.
Classic slot
A traditional slot game that features three reels and a single payline.
Expanding wilds
A special type of wild that covers the entire reel when it appears on the screen for bigger chances to win. See wild symbol.
Free spin
Additional spin offered as a bonus feature on bonus slot machines. Free spins may be awarded by hitting a particular combination or as a casino reward.
Fruit machine
A slot machine featuring fruit symbols or a theme based on fruit. The term was coined by Brits when slot machines were first introduced in the United Kingdom, all of which contained fruit symbols.
High or low variance
High variance slots pay out less frequently but whose prizes are usually higher. Low variance slots pay out more frequently but offer lower payouts.
Hit
Slang term referring to a winning spin.
Hit frequency
Refers to the frequency at which a slot game pays out on average.
Hot and cold slots
Slot games that pay out frequently at a given time frame are called “hot” slots. If a slot game hasn’t paid out in a while, it is called a “cold slot.” May also be referred to as loose slots or tight slots, respectively.
Jackpot
The highest amount of winnings or the top prize a particular slot machine can pay out at any given time.
Mechanical slots
Classic slot machines that feature physical rather than video reels.
Multi-line slots
Slot games featuring more than one payline.
Multiplier
Multipliers are often represented as a symbol multiplying the payout from any winning combination it appears in. They can also be applied to free spins or awarded in bonus features.
Mobile slots
Slot games optimized for mobile devices for players on the go.
One-armed bandit
A slang term referring to slot machines that has been around since its early days.
Online slots
Slot games played over an internet connection.
Payline
Refers to slot lines where winning combinations must land to constitute a win.
Paytable
A table explaining the prizes you can win for hitting a variety of symbol combinations or potential bonus rounds.
Progressive slots
Slot machines that feature a jackpot that progressively grows until a lucky player hits it and wins.
Random number generator (RNG)
Online slots employ a random number generator algorithm to create randomized results that determine which symbols appear on the paylines. Often abbreviated as RNG.
Return to Player (RTP)
Refers to a percentage demonstrating how much the slot pays back. For instance, an RTP of 97% means a player would get $97 for every $100 wager.
Second screen bonus
A popular separate bonus game featuring an interactive element, such as choosing prize boxes containing mystery gifts. Often found in video slots.
Spin
A spin button or lever that activates the spin to begin the slot game.
Symbols
Refers to graphics or pictures on slot reels. They may include fruits like cherries and lemons, dollar/euro/pound signs, or sevens, among many others. Depending on the machine’s theme, they may also include symbols of famous movie or video game characters.
Tilt
Refers to an electromechanical failsafe switch that can detect whenever a slot is suspected of being tampered with or experiencing operational issues. Tilts trigger an alarm whenever tampering is detected.
Wild symbol
A symbol that can be substituted for other symbols to create a winning combination.
Wild multiplier
A bonus win feature applicable to wilds.
Win-both-ways
Slot games offering winning combinations from both ways (e.g., left-to-right or right-to-left).
Zig-zag
Refers to lines that can appear on multi-line slot games, often in a zig-zag pattern, hence the name.
Header Image Source: Photo by Louise Tollisen on Unsplash
How did you like Sebastian Scheplitz’s blog post “A Guide to the Wonderful World of Slot Machine Slang and Terminology”? Let us know in the comments if you have anything to add, have another content idea for iGaming blog posts, or just want to say “hello.” 🙂
