Slot game terms you should know

Slot games are very easy to navigate, once you get the hang of them.

17:57 20 December 2022

Slot games are very easy to navigate, once you get the hang of them. However, if you’re newer to these games, there are some things you might want to know before you get started.

To play Slots online, it may be useful to learn some terminology, so that you can explore each slot game with no confusion. 

Take this time to broaden your knowledge and enter the world of Slots, with these five key terms.

Reels

First and foremost, reels are what make up a game. The symbols that are used will fill these reels, in order to create matching combinations. Reels show up in vertical columns, and can differ in number. They usually vary from three, to 10, or even infinite reels! 

You may find that you prefer a certain number of reels, but usually when you start off playing online Slots, it is advised to play on three reels, so you can get used to the world of Slots.

Symbols

As briefly mentioned, symbols are what can make up matching combinations, but there are different symbol types to be aware of in these slot games:

Standard: These appear in all slot games, and don’t have a special function. They are just regular symbols that (in most games) have to form a matching combination of three or more to gain a prize.

Wild: A wild symbol has the ability to substitute for all other symbols to complete a combination, that wouldn’t have originally resulted in a prize. They usually can’t replace other special symbols, so they only replace standard symbols.

Scatter: This symbol is usually one of the highest paying in a slot game, and can unlock an array of bonus features. Their function differs depending on the game they’re in, but one of their features is to achieve free spins, that can result in more prizes.

Paylines

When symbols in a game line up to form a matching combination, a payout will be rewarded, which is known as a payline. It just enables you to gain your prize.

If you place a bet on a specific payline, it is known as the active payline – only becoming active after your bet has been placed, before you spin the reels.

Volatility

This word will be included in the information of an online slot game – including high, medium, or low variations. With low volatility games, payouts are more frequent and are considered low risk games, but the prizes are smaller, in comparison to the other levels.

RTP

This stands for ‘return to player’, and is expressed as a percentage, also found in the information section of a slot game. It represents part of the funds paid to play the game, that is then given back to you as prizes.

This is worked out based on an average achieved over a significant amount of game plays, with no minimum RTP on a slot game.

With a better understanding of phrases that could help you on your online slot journey, where will you take your newfound knowledge?