Slots Terminology
Coin Size:
Indicates the betting size of each bet. A player can also play more than one coin per spin.
Coins per spin:
Indicates the number of coins a player can play for each spin.
Fill:
A fill takes place when the slots run out coins. The slot hoppers are replenished with coins when the attendant gets coin bags from the cashier and fills the same. This is known as a fill.
Hit Rate:
Any slot winnings will have a fair duration of time between the winning spins and losing spins. This duration is known as the "HIT RATE" where the averages for the slots are determined.
Hold:
On an average of 3 to 15 % coins played are held by slot machines. This is known as "HOLD" and represents the house profit.
Hopper:
Hopper is the sack which holds the moolah. The most important part of the slot which holds the coins is known as the hopper. At most times the hoppers are overflowing due to continuous game play by the players. When the hopper overflows the additional coins get dropped into a bucket underneath the hopper. These buckets are emptied by slot attendants during light traffic hours.
Max Bet:
Every slot allows for certain upper limit of coin play per spin. The Max Bet indicates the maximum amount of coins which can be played per spin.
Pay cycle:
Every slot machine has a programmed percentage for payouts. This is developed in the software instated in the machine. The pay cycle is the mechanism where the slot takes in a number of coins and then pays out in order to comply with the programmed percentage. This is known as Pay Cycle which works as part of the procedure.
Pay line:
Pay line is the line for which all players play the game. It is the line which provides the coins when a winning symbol appears on it. The pay line is generally the middle line on the slot but can be on all three or five lines as per the slot.
Progressive Jackpot:
The progressive jackpots are the favorites of gamblers as they provide a continuously increasing jackpot counter until the jackpot is HIT. It is the Top prize which increases giving players a chance at higher winnings.
Reels:
The reel is an integral part of a slot machine and is the place where the symbols are displayed. An average slot has three reels but increasing demand has bought in two, four and five reel slots too. The higher the number of reels the more difficult it is to hit the jackpot.
Symbols:
The different symbols on the slots provide for the winning combinations when they are hit as per sequence. It can be anything which the slot manufactures can imagine. Some of the most famous symbols include "7" and "BAR" .
Take cycle:
There is a strong belief that the slots go through a cycle. The Take cycle is exactly opposite the Pay Cycle where the players believe that they may achieve that elusive hit. It is a sequel to the first stage of pay cycle and is based on the pay/take philosophy.
Tilt:
The Tilt is a light which comes on when the slot is not functioning due to a mechanical problem. This may be in the form of a stuck coin or a shortage of them in the machine. In such a scenario the coins owned to a player are stored in the memory and payouts are made once the problem is solved. All machines have always paid the right amount after the tilt issue has been solved.
Top Prize:
The Top prize indicates the highest payout on non progressive slots when a player plays full coins. It is the maximum earning a player can get when he plays all coins.
Winning Combinations:
This indicates the number of different winning combinations available on a slot and the payouts. It is represented on the slot in the form of symbols along with the payouts.
Wild Symbol:
The wild symbol helps in boosting a players earnings when it lands on the reels with other relevant symbols. It acts like a multiplier and can increase the payouts handsomely.
