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When you first step into the world of online slots, it can feel like everyone around you is speaking a different language. Terms get thrown around without explanation and it’s easy to feel lost before you even place your first bet. Knowing the most common slot game terms will put you in a much better position to understand what you are playing and make smarter decisions along the way.
Reels
Reels are the vertical columns that spin when you place a bet. Most slot games have either three or five reels, though some modern titles push that number higher. The symbols that land on the reels after each spin determine whether you win or lose.
RTP
RTP means Return to Player. It’s expressed as a percentage and it tells you how much of the total money wagered on a game is paid back to players over time. When a slot has an RTP of 96 percent, it means that, over a long period of time, the game pays out 96 dollars to players for every hundred dollars wagered. This is an average over a long period of time not a guarantee for any one particular session.
Volatility
Volatility is the way a slot pays out. Games with low volatility pay out smaller prizes, more often. High volatility games pay out more but less frequently. Knowing how volatile a game is can help you select titles that fit your budget and play style.
Paylines
A payline is the line across the reels where a winning combination of symbols needs to land. Older slot games had a single payline running straight across the middle. Modern slot games can have dozens or even hundreds of paylines running in multiple directions. More paylines generally mean more ways to win on any given spin.
Wild Symbol
A wild symbol substitutes for other symbols on the reels, assisting you in completing winning combinations you might otherwise have missed. Some games feature wilds that expand to fill an entire reel or sticky wilds that stay in place for several spins.
Scatter Symbol
A scatter symbol will usually trigger a bonus feature, such as free spins or a bonus round, if enough of them land on the reels. Scatters, unlike standard symbols, usually do not need to land on an actual payline to count.
Free Spins
Free spins are just what they say on the tin. A fixed number of spins that are free from your balance. They are generally triggered by landing scatter symbols and often have added features such as multipliers which increase the value of any wins during the round.
Bonus Round
The bonus round is a special feature of a slot game that is triggered if certain conditions are met. These come in many forms such as pick and click games, wheel spins or a separate mini game with its own rules and rewards.
Multiplier
A multiplier boosts the value of a win by a set amount. A 2x multiplier will double your winnings. Multiply by five and it’s five times bigger. Multipliers can appear in the base game or as part of a bonus round.
Paytable
The paytable is the information guide built into every slot game. It shows you the value of each symbol, explains how paylines work, and describes what each bonus feature does. Checking the paytable before you start a new game is one of the simplest habits you can build as a player.
Wrapping Up
Knowing your way around the terminology of slot games makes the whole experience less intimidating and much more fun. These terms get thrown around all the time in different games and platforms, so it’s good to be familiar with them to have a good base of knowledge no matter which slot you decide to play next.
