If you are a novice at online casinos and slots, it’s important to understand the various terms and phrases associated with the games. Although online slots are straightforward to play, understanding the terminology can help you maximize your chances of winning.

Fortunately, we have done the legwork for you. Whether you’re wondering about the distinction between a scatter and a wild symbol or the difference between a pick-and-choose bonus round and a free spin, we have got you covered. The following glossary of terms will help you understand how online slots work, but for more tips and strategies on playing online slots, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide at Best Casino Bonus 365.

Glossary of slot machines

3-reel: A slot game featuring three reels.
5-reel: A slot game featuring five reels.
All Ways: A slot with multiple paylines that can go from left to right or right to left.
Autoplay: A feature found in most slot games that spins the reels automatically.
Bet: A wager placed on a spin.
Bonus round: A special feature that awards players with free games or cash prizes.
Cascading reels: A feature where winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones that can trigger additional wins.
Classic slots: Traditional slot machines with few paylines and no bonus rounds.
Coin size: The amount of money bet on each payline.
Freeplay: A demo mode where slots can be played for free without the possibility of winning real money.
Free spins: A number of spins that are awarded for free during a bonus round.
Fruit machine: A classic slot machine that features fruit symbols on the reels.
Gamble: A feature that allows players to risk their winnings for a chance to double them.
Jackpot: A large prize awarded for hitting a winning combination or triggering a special feature.
Lines: Another term for paylines, which represent the combinations that can trigger a payout.
Maximum bet: The highest amount of money that can be wagered on a slot game.
Multi-line: A slot game with multiple paylines.
Multiplier: A feature that multiplies the payout of a winning combination by a certain amount.
Multi-way: A betting system where there are hundreds of possible paylines.
Payline: The line of symbols that can trigger a payout.
Payout: The amount of money awarded for hitting a winning combination.
Paytable: The list of payouts and rules for a slot game.
Progressive jackpot: A jackpot that increases over time as more players bet on the same game.
Random Number Generator (RNG): A computer program that ensures the outcome of a spin is random and fair.
Reels: The vertical columns of symbols that spin during a slot game.
Return to Player: The percentage of money that a slot game pays back to players over time.
Rows: The horizontal lines of symbols that appear on the reels.
Scatter: A symbol that pays out regardless of its position on the reels.
Slot tournament: A competition where players compete against each other on a specific slot game.
Stacked Symbols: A feature where the same symbol appears on top of each other on a reel.
Stacked Wilds: A feature where wild symbols appear on top of each other on a reel.
Video slots: A slot game that is played on a computer screen and does not have physical reels.
Wild: A symbol that can substitute for any other symbol (except scatters) to create winning combinations.
Wild Multiplier: A feature that multiplies the payout of a winning combination that includes a wild symbol.
Win-both-ways: A slot game where winning combinations can be formed from left to right or right to left.