The online casino industry has a huge variety of games to choose from, but to some people it can feel like learning a new language. Why? There are certain phrases that describe the games you wish to play. So, if you’ve looked through gaming lobbies and found popular hits like the Big Bass Bonanza slot, then you may have also seen words such as ‘RTP,’ ‘wilds,’ or even ‘Megaways.’
But not to worry, because you’ll be fully up to speed with all the lingo with the help of this quick guide. We keep things simple, so you can make more sense from your very first spin.
The Basics: Reels, Rows & Paylines
Let’s start with the building blocks of a slot:
- Reels are based on the vertical columns.
- Rows are the horizontal lines.
- A payline is a pattern that determines where matching symbols must land for a win.
Classic games might use a small set of fixed paylines, whereas newer titles could offer hundreds or replace paylines entirely with ways to win, where any left-to-right match on adjacent reels might count. The stake (or total bet) is the amount placed on a spin, and a coin value or bet level might appear as adjustable settings in some games.
Symbols That Do More: Wilds, Scatters & Multipliers
Wilds have been around for years and are designed to step in for regular symbols and help complete a winning line. You might find expanding wilds (which grow to fill a reel) or sticky wilds (which remain in place for several spins), plus many more variants.
Next, we have a key component of slots: scatters. When enough appear, they usually trigger a bonus round or free spins, often without needing to land on a specific payline.
Then we have multipliers, which can instantly boost returns by the stated number (for example, x2 or x10). You might find them in the base game or only featured in the bonus games, so it’s wise to keep your eye out for them.
What the Numbers Mean: RTP, Volatility & Max Win
Return to Player (RTP) can sometimes confuse beginners, but it actually just describes what might be returned to players collectively over many spins. For example, an RTP of 96% suggests that, in the long run, a portion of all the bets could be returned, though actual short-term results can vary.
Volatility, which is also known as variance, tells you how a game might feel to play. A lower volatility rating could mean more frequent but smaller returns, whereas a higher volatility rating could mean fewer returns but bigger ones.
The maximum return is something that most players look for before playing, highlighting the uppermost payout possible.
Finally, and something new slot players frequently ask about, is the RNG. This is short for Random Number Generator and is used to ensure outcomes are independent from one spin to the next. And no, past outcomes don’t affect future ones.
Remember, getting to grips with the online slot language above will make it easier for you to compare games and select the one that best fits your playing style.
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