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In terms of casino games, there are few that are as popular and numerous as Slots. Thanks to their simple core gameplay you can find dozens upon dozens of different variations of slot games on offer online today.
But before you pick a game and play online Slots, it’s definitely useful to know some of the most common slot game terminology.That’s why we’ve put together a quick and simple guide to some of the terms you’re most likely to see when you’re looking for an online slot game.
Reels and paylines
Some of the most basic building blocks of a slot machine, reels and paylines are essential terms for any player to know.
Reels refer to the vertical sections that spin whenever a player initiates a game, showing the various symbols. The oldest slot machines only used three reels, but these days, you’ll more commonly find games with five or six reels instead.
Paylines are the line – or lines – which awards a payout when one of the game’s specific winning combinations lands on the line. Older games may use just a single payline but games with multiple paylines are quite common, with players having the ability to activate more paylines on a larger wager.
RTP and volatility
This is a slightly more technical one, but these terms are just as important to be aware of.
RTP stands for return to player and is a percentage that generally indicates how much of the total money wagered on a slot game will be returned to players over time. If a game has an RTP of 95%, then it will theoretically pay back £95 for every £100 wagered. But this value is worked out over long timescales, so it is no guarantee of returns in the short term.
Most online Slots should display their RTP percentage up front, in order to help players better decide which games suit their tastes.
A similar concept is volatility, which refers to the relative risk level of a game. Slots that are high volatility will offer larger payouts on the whole that are less frequent in nature. This is a contrast to low volatility games, which generally provide lower payouts more consistently.
Scatters and clusters
Thanks to the sheer variety of slot games available online there are quite a few additional mechanics or twists on classic gameplay to account for.
Scatters are a special symbol that appear in some games, having the potential to trigger a payout no matter where they show up on the reels. In some instances, a scatter symbol will be the means to unlock extra game features, such as free spins or mini games.
Clusters are an alternative to traditional paylines, making them the basis for many newer Slots formats. Rather than looking for symbols to line up along set paylines, clusters mean that any time symbols appear adjacent to each other in sufficient numbers they will count as a winning combination.
Of course, we’re only scratching the surface of the vast terminology that surrounds slot games. But these few terms should be enough to help any player understand some of the most important concepts before they play online Slots.