Slots FAQ

What does the term Hold mean?

The term Hold is used to describe the percentage of coins played that are kept by the machine, or the house. In most average cases, it is between 3% to 15% in land-based casinos and between 1% and 10% at online casinos. Making it wiser to play online, as the payout percentages are higher.

What are Reels?

Reels are used to describe the cylindrical spinning part of the slot machine, which all the symbols are displayed. Most common slot machines, in general, have three reels but sometimes you'll find machines with two reels, four reels or even higher. The more reels in the machine, the more permutations or possible combinations are able to hit the pay line. This means, in a multiple reel machine with a single jackpot line (to hit it big you need to get just the right combo), your chances of hitting that combo are slimmer than normal.

What's a One Armed Bandit?

One arm bandit is simply a name used to describe a slot machine. The origin of the term comes from the single pull "one arm" lever on the slot machine. The fact that slot machines used to be rigged to never payout when they were first invented is where the “bandit” part of the term originated.

What is a Pay cycle?

A pay cycle on a slot machine is the period of time following a minimum number of bets (or coin 'takes') during which the machine pays out coins in larger percentages. Supposedly the pay cycle is programmed into the slot machines software to meet the minimum payout schedule as per State Law.

What are Symbols?

Symbols are the graphics, pictures, images, or icons that are found spread out around the reels. They are commonly cherries, bars, coins or plums - some of many recognizable images. Charles Fey, the inventor of the first machine, featured Liberty Bells, and our common card symbols such as hearts and spades.

Do you have to play max bet on the progressive games?

No you do not need to play the max bet on progressive games, although it's highly recommended. On most machines it's a pre-requisite for your chance at winning the progressive jackpot. If you don't bet max and you hit the progressive you may not be entitled to its jackpot, as you didn't bet max for that spin.

For Various Slots Terms and Definitions View our Dictionary