The world of slots is more complicated than you think. You don’t just wait for the symbols and then hope for a payout. In terms of technology and terminology, slots are more complicated than you think.
Modern slots are more dynamic than the ancient fruit machines. They are slots with added mechanics that add a variety of things to the game, such as new ways to win, new bonus options, and sometimes, new symbols. Each of these mechanics has a specific name and purpose, and slot enthusiasts are familiar with them.
But there are many slot terms that even the most seasoned players are unfamiliar with. That’s why we, confessed slot experts here at Fruity Slots, have taken it upon ourselves to do an A-Z index of slot terms, so you can acquaint yourself with the important words to know when talking about slots.
A- Autoplay
A is for autoplay! Autoplay is the process of letting the game play through your spins automatically. When the game is monotonous, it is common to skip some spins. Sometimes our streamers do this when they want to get to the bonus.
B: Bonus Round
One of the most important letters of the slot alphabet is b, which stands for bonus round. A bonus round is a feature almost all slots have. Bonus rounds are added rounds or mini games triggered by specific symbols and combinations. They give players the chance to win bigger prizes.
C: Cascading Reels
Cascading reels are a bonus feature commonly featured in video slots. They are a feature triggered when winning symbols land and are replaced by new symbols. These create a re-spin effect, which changes the outcome of the prior spin.
D: Deposit Bonus
A deposit match bonus is one of the oldest bonuses offered by online casinos. These are bonuses offered by casinos that give you bonus money when you make a deposit. The money is matched by a percentage and is commonly used as a welcome bonus on slot games.
E: Expanding Wild
An expanding wild is another common feature in bonus rounds and slot games. This is a wild symbol that stretches to cover more than one position in the slot game. It aims to improve your chances of landing winning symbols.
F: Free Spins
Free spins are a common bonus type offered in slot games. Usually, in exchange for a wager or as part of a bonus, players will get several spins at no extra cost added to their game.
G: Game Provider
Game providers are the developers who make and produce the slot games for online casinos. Common game providers for slots include Pragmatic Play and NetEnt.
H: High Volatility
High volatility is a term we mention often in slots. This means slots that produce high but infrequent payouts. These are usually designed with high-rolling players in mind.
I: Increasing Multipliers
Increasing multipliers are a mechanic common in Megaways slots, where multipliers grow with each win in a row.
J: Jackpots
Jackpots are also common in high volatility slot games. Jackpots refer to the largest prize available to be won in a slot game. They have different types, like area, progressive, and local jackpots. Jackpot slots base their existence on big wins.
K: Key Features
Our K pick is for key features. When we refer to the key features of a slot, we are talking about the bonuses, the symbols, the maximum win, and the relevant game mechanics.
L: Link & Win
Link & Win refers to a slot mechanic developed by Games Global. Hit between six and 14 Link & Win symbols, and the feature kicks in with three respins. Every new symbol that lands sticks in place and resets your spin. Fill the grid, and you’re looking at a jackpot!
M: Megaways
Megaways is a mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming that has gone global. It is a reel modifier that changes the size of the game board on every spin. The paylines in these slots change based on the number of symbols on the reels.
N: Nudges
Nudges are a feature in some slots that move a reel up and down by one position. This is used primarily if players are close to landing winning combinations and want to increase their chances.
O: Orange
Yes, we know our colour is orange, but the o for orange here is primarily for the orange symbol, which is common in fruit machines, as well as our fantastic logo!
P: Paytable
Paytable is the name given to the table that acts as a guide for slot games. The paytable shows the symbols in the slot and their value.
Q: Qualifying Bet
A qualifying bet is an offer you place to earn or activate an offer. In slots, qualifying bets can gain you access to bonus rounds or tiered rewards, depending on the slot.
R: Return To Player
The RTP is the percentage of money players get back from the casino over time. In slots, these differ based on volatility and are usually displayed on the casino’s website or on the machine if playing in a land casino.
S: Scatter Symbol
The Scatter symbol is a fixture of online slots. It is a symbol in slots that triggers unique features like free spins or bonus rounds. These symbols don’t rely on paylines for their effects.
T: Turbo Mode
Turbo Mode is another name for the Quick Spin feature, which increases the speed of a slot’s gameplay. It is a bit like autoplay, but it focuses on playing through spins faster.
U: Unlimited Multiplier
Unlimited multipliers are multipliers that have no money limit and contiously expand. They increase with each win in the slot game, and are common in Megaways slots.
V: Videoslots
Video slots are slot games that use graphics to showcase the reels and use animations to showcase bonuses, multipliers, and symbols on a computer-like screen.
W: Wilds
Wilds are a common symbol in slot machines that replace any paying symbol to complete a win. They do not interact with bonus symbols.
X: XMechanics
XMechanics is a slot mechanic developed by Nolimit City. They are a collection of slot features designed to enhance gameplay and have X in their name.
Y: Yield
This is the net amount a slot pays out, dependent on how much is wagered by players. It’s a way of measuring the return amount.
Z: Zig Zag Reel
In some contemporary slot games, the reels are not vertical. Instead, they follow zig-zag patterns to allow more exciting gameplay and win combinations.
