Slots Glossary & FAQ
Every term you'll encounter explained in plain English — plus answers to the questions every beginner asks.
Glossary of Terms
RTP (Return to Player)
The percentage of all wagered money a slot pays back to players over millions of spins. A 96% RTP means £96 returned per £100 wagered on average.
Volatility (Variance)
How a slot distributes its payouts. Low volatility = frequent small wins. High volatility = rare but larger wins. Also called variance.
Payline
A line across the reels on which matching symbols must land to form a win. Classic slots have 1–9 paylines; modern slots can have 10–1,024 or more.
Wild Symbol
A special symbol that substitutes for most other symbols to help complete winning combinations. Like a joker in a card game.
Scatter Symbol
A symbol that pays regardless of its position on the reels (doesn't need to be on a payline). Often triggers free spins or bonus rounds.
Free Spins
A bonus feature where you spin the reels a set number of times without wagering your own money. Usually triggered by landing 3+ scatter symbols.
Multiplier
A feature that multiplies your win by a set amount (e.g. 2x, 5x, 10x). Can apply to individual wins, free spins, or the entire bonus round.
Bonus Round
A special feature triggered within a slot that offers additional prizes. Can include free spins, pick-me games, wheel spins, or other mini-games.
Reels
The vertical columns that spin and display symbols. Traditional slots have 3 reels; most modern slots have 5. Some have 6 or 7.
Symbols
The images displayed on the reels. Matching symbols on a payline creates a win. Higher-value symbols pay more; lower-value symbols pay less.
Jackpot
The largest possible prize in a slot. Fixed jackpots have a set amount; progressive jackpots grow with every bet placed until someone wins.
Progressive Jackpot
A jackpot that increases with every spin across all players on that game. Can reach millions. Won randomly or via a special bonus feature.
Autoplay
A feature that automatically spins the reels a set number of times without manual input. Useful for longer sessions but use with caution.
Bet Max
Placing the maximum allowed bet per spin. Sometimes required to be eligible for the jackpot. Always check the rules before using this.
Cascading Reels (Avalanche)
A mechanic where winning symbols disappear and new ones fall into place, potentially creating chain wins. Used in Gonzo's Quest and others.
Expanding Wild
A wild symbol that expands to cover an entire reel when it lands, increasing the chances of forming winning combinations.
Sticky Wild
A wild symbol that stays in place for a set number of spins (usually during free spins), giving you multiple chances to win with it.
Wagering Requirement
The number of times you must wager a bonus amount before you can withdraw winnings. A 30x requirement on a £10 bonus means wagering £300 total.
House Edge
The casino's built-in profit margin. The opposite of RTP. A 96% RTP slot has a 4% house edge — the casino keeps 4% of all wagers over time.
Cluster Pays
A win mechanic where you win by landing clusters of matching symbols (usually 5+) anywhere on the grid, rather than on specific paylines.