The vision of entrepreneurs who saw the opportunities the internet offered for casino gaming helped the popularity of slots to explode. As technology advanced, more and more people fired up a computer, got online and started playing digital slots instead of heading to a casino or arcade.
Today, casinos continues to attract fans in droves by introducing new genres of gaming, not to mention by taking popular types of gaming, such as online slots, and building on them. Thanks to changes in legislation, online slots Canada are becoming more popular in provinces like Ontario, that have created their own markets or are trying to develop regulated markets across Canada.
Are you thinking of playing slots online? Then you need to know the terms below to get the best out of your gaming on them.
Bet
Your bet is the amount you place on the spin. You’ll also see it referred to as a “stake” or “wager”. The term can also mean the act of wagering money on a spin.
Demo
A demo is a free version of a slot or other game and doesn’t involve risking any of your own money. They’re an excellent way to learn how games work and try them before playing for cash.
Free spins
Free spins are a bonus round that give you more spins to increase winnings from the base game. The number of free spins you receive will depend on factors such as the number of specific symbols that have landed in a combination.
Jackpot
The jackpot is the main prize of a slot. Sometimes it’s paid randomly. Other times the slot pays when you land a specific combination of symbols.
Multiplier
A feature that can multiply your winnings. These are sometimes wild symbols or other special symbols. Sometimes they apply to every spin in a free spins bonus.
Payline
A line that determines the line-up of symbols that form a winning combination. Typically, online slots offer between 10 and 20, but it’s common for slots to offer hundreds of paylines and, in some cases, even thousands.
If a payline is described as “active,” this is a determination of how many paylines are active and offer the possibility of a win in one spin.
Payout
The payout describes the win from a certain type of spin or bonus feature. It’s important to understand what the payout could be because this may help you decide whether to play on one slot or choose another instead.
Progressive jackpot
A progressive jackpot is a prize of an unfixed amount that rises every time someone places their stake in a game. When someone wins the progressive jackpot, the prize then restarts and starts building as before. If you’re looking for a big win, a progressive slot could provide you with one, but the odds are low. The game may also entail placing a large stake.
Reels
These are the vertical columns in an online slot. Classic games tend to have three, but most slots today often have five.
Return to player (RTP)
The return to player (RTP) is a percentage which describes the average rate a slot returns players’ money over a prolonged period. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that if you see an RTP of 96%, you’ll win $96 out of every $100 you place. The RTP refers to the bets of thousands of players, millions even, and how much is returned over a longer period. The higher the RTP, the better and will be a factor in whether you choose to play on a slot or not.
Scatters
Scatters are symbols that often trigger bonus rounds. Sometimes they also form combinations that award payouts. They don’t have to be in any direct combination.
Symbols
Symbols are the images on the reels that fall into place and create winning symbols. These will vary, according to the theme of the game, and have different values. It’s important to know the different symbols and how they can combine so you can identify possible opportunities to win, as well as wins themselves.
Volatility
This important term refers to the frequency of payouts and how much the slot pays out and will surely play a part in your decision to play on a slot.
Slots that have a low volatility pay out often but only pay small amounts, which you’ll prefer if you’d like to increase your chances of winning.
Slots that have a high volatility don’t pay very frequently, but when they do, they pay big. If you want to win a lot of money and don’t mind playing for prolonged periods without winning, you might play this type of slot.
Wild(s)
A wild is a symbol that combines with others to form a winning combination. Wilds can appear in different forms, depending on the theme of the game, and form the winning combinations by substituting other symbols.
Slots are immensely enjoyable and, to get the best of them, it’s important to know the terminology and how the games work. Demos are a superb way to experience different features of slots and use terminology in context.
