Slot Glossary: Terms from RTP to Retrigger

If a spin costs €0.20 and returns €0.10, the balance falls by €0.10. A displayed payout does not always mean a profit. Similar distinctions separate an ordinary stake from a bonus purchase price, and one wild multiplier from the entire round payout cap.

Ante Bet

An extra payment on top of the normal stake for a changed game mode, such as an increased chance of entering a feature. The title defines both the price and its effect. Ante Bet does not universally mean an extra 25%, and it does not guarantee a bonus. Compare the full spin cost, rather than just the base stake.

Autoplay

Automatically starting a sequence of paid spins. Stop settings may use a spin count, loss amount or feature entry. They do not alter symbol probabilities. Online gaming under a British UKGC licence cannot offer autoplay: the customer must commit to each game cycle individually. The rule does not prohibit automatically posting blinds in peer-to-peer poker.

Bonus Buy

Paid entry into a particular feature without waiting for its usual trigger. Different bonus types may have different prices; 100× is not a universal cost. A bonus purchase deducts money immediately, and its result can be smaller than the price. Buying a whole round differs from buying a modifier for one spin.

Bonus game

A distinct stage with its own rules, such as picking objects, a wheel, free spins or collecting cash symbols. A specified combination, collection meter or random event starts it. A slot’s bonus game is separate from a casino promotion: the first depends on game rules, while the second depends on offer and account conditions.

Cascades (Avalanche, Tumble)

A sequence of grid evaluations after an initial result. In a typical cascade, winning symbols disappear, new symbols replace them and the game checks for another combination. Tumble and Avalanche often name this mechanic. A cascade within one paid round is not a new paid spin; whether a multiplier survives into the next round depends on the game.

Cluster Pays

Payouts for connected groups of matching symbols instead of predefined lines. A common implementation connects symbols by their sides, so diagonal contact is insufficient. Each title sets its minimum group size; one game’s threshold does not define every cluster slot. The group size determines the applicable paytable entry.

Crash game

A game with a multiplier rising towards a random stopping point and a payout depending on a timely cash-out. If the round ends before the cash-out is accepted, the stake is lost. Aviator uses this principle. A plane graphic does not make every game crash: an automatic landing game may have no manual cash-out.

Demo mode

A virtual-balance mode for learning the controls and features. Its payouts cannot be withdrawn. A short sequence does not measure actual volatility or profitability. At a British operator, the free version must accurately represent the corresponding money game; a separate supplier demonstration may be designed to showcase features when clearly labelled as such.

Expanding symbol

A symbol that increases the area it occupies, often filling a reel. An expanding wild substitutes for ordinary pictures, while a chosen special symbol may create a separate combination. Expansion conditions vary. In book slots it often belongs to free spins, but a related feature can also work in the base game.

Free spins (FS)

In-game spins without a fresh ordinary stake deducted for each spin. A paid spin or a paid purchase may trigger them, so free spins do not mean the entry was necessarily free. Spins awarded by a casino promotion also have their own expiry, denomination and possible wagering conditions for winnings.

Gamble feature

Staking a win already received on another outcome, such as a card colour. A correct choice may double the amount; an incorrect one may lose it. Modes differ in probability, multiplier and allowed attempts. A gamble does not increase a payout for free: collecting the original win avoids taking that additional risk.

Hit frequency

The proportion of spins producing a payout under that game’s definition. A positive payout can be smaller than the stake and therefore not profitable. A 25% frequency describes an average share of paying results, rather than a compulsory win every fourth spin. It is also separate from feature frequency and the chance of reaching the payout cap.

Hold and Win

A family of features that hold cash symbols while further attempts fill the remaining positions. A common version resets its attempt counter on a new symbol; attempt counts, collection rules and full-grid rewards vary. Hold and Win does not mean every game has identical jackpots. A coin may show a stake multiplier or an actual cash amount.

Jackpot

A special prize with separately defined award conditions. A fixed jackpot has a specified value; a progressive may grow through contributions from bets. A network or a single operator defines the scope of accumulation, rather than another mutually exclusive fixed-prize type. A Mini or Grand label alone does not establish a shared growing fund.

Max win (win cap)

The payout ceiling for a stated mode or game round. It is often expressed in base stakes, but the exact calculation unit matters. A large ceiling does not reveal its probability. In high max-win slots, the feature entry price can greatly exceed the base stake; a casino withdrawal limit concerns a different stage.

Megaways

Big Time Gaming’s system with a changing number of positions on the reels. The ways count depends on each reel’s current height. Six reels with seven positions each yield 7⁶ = 117,649 ways, but not every spin or edition has that size. Megaways describes a combination system, rather than a payout for any full grid.

Multiplier

A factor increasing a specified payout. The rules define its scope: one symbol, a winning line, a cascade or a feature total. Multiple multipliers may add together or multiply; there is no universal rule. A 100× wild icon is not automatically the game’s maximum win and does not multiply all money in the account.

Mystery symbol

A symbol with an unrevealed value that turns into an ordinary picture, wild or another result defined by the feature. Some games reveal a whole group identically; others choose values separately. Mystery does not mean a fixed prize: the game still needs to check payout conditions after the reveal.

Payline

A defined route through reel positions used to evaluate a combination. It may zigzag; the rules specify the payout direction, often left to right. Fixed lines remain active, while adjustable lines let you choose a count. Symbols outside an active route do not become a line win merely because they appear next to one another.

Provably Fair

Verification of a result calculation using a hash committed in advance and input data revealed later. Stake’s scheme uses a server seed, client seed and bet counter called a nonce. The hash does not let you read a result beforehand. This technology extends beyond crash and does not guarantee profit, reliable withdrawals or verification of every third-party casino game.

Respin

A further spin of all or part of the reels within a feature. Some positions may stay held. Continuation can depend on a new cash symbol, an improved combination or remaining attempts. The name does not establish an unlimited chain; the specific mode’s rules determine when it ends.

Retrigger

Meeting a trigger condition again during an active feature. It may add spins, another special symbol or a different upgrade where the rules allow it. A retrigger does not necessarily reset everything. Extra attempts extend a feature but do not guarantee the largest payout or recovery of money spent entering it.

RNG (random number generator)

The random number generator used in determining game outcomes. Randomness does not mean every picture has the same chance: the game’s mathematics sets the distribution. British requirements prohibit changing probabilities during play to compensate payouts. A retained bonus collection meter can still be a normal game state where its behaviour follows the published rules.

RTP (return to player)

The theoretical share of total betting turnover returned through payouts. It is measured over a large volume of play, rather than promised for one deposit. Reusing winnings increases turnover. RTP can differ between configurations of one slot, and a paid mode may have a different return from ordinary play.

Scatter

A symbol whose stated action does not require an ordinary winning line. It may pay independently, trigger a feature or do both. The game defines the required number and eligible reels. Anywhere does not remove restrictions such as bonus symbols appearing only on specified reels.

Scatter Pays (Pay Anywhere)

A payout system for enough matching symbols across the grid without a prescribed line or mandatory adjacency. Pay Anywhere is another name. Sweet Bonanza and Gates of Olympus use an eight-symbol threshold, but that is not the definition of the entire system. Ordinary symbols paid this way do not become bonus scatters.

Sticky Wild

A wild that retains its position for a specified number of spins or until the feature ends. Holding a position and expanding a symbol are separate properties. In Dead or Alive 2’s Old Saloon and High Noon Saloon, wilds stay until the free spins session ends. Sticky alone specifies neither a multiplier nor a payout on every spin.

Volatility (variance)

The spread of payouts: how far results can depart from their average and how much rare large prizes contribute. High volatility does not specify the exact frequency of paying spins. Paytable, event frequency and stake size also matter. Low volatility does not rule out a losing sequence or make a game risk-free.

Wagering requirement

The betting turnover required to satisfy an offer condition. Its basis may be the bonus, deposit plus bonus, or winnings from promotional spins. Games may contribute different percentages, and a maximum permitted stake is a separate restriction. Comparing 30× with 40× requires knowing the basis, time limit and qualifying contribution.

Walking Wild

A wild moving between positions or reels according to a feature’s rules. Jack and the Beanstalk respins move it one reel left until it leaves the grid. That direction and the free attempts belong to that title: another Walking Wild may move differently or have a limited number of steps.

Ways to win

Evaluating matching symbols on adjacent reels without a fixed route. The ways count comes from the available positions on participating reels. Five reels with three positions each give 3⁵, or 243 ways. That is a count of possible routes, rather than 243 guaranteed payouts for a spin.

Wild

A substitute used to form specified combinations. It commonly helps ordinary symbols but does not replace bonus scatters; the game defines exceptions. A wild cannot create a win without the other required symbols. Holding, expansion and multipliers are additional properties, rather than requirements for every wild.

Calculation examples