Key takeaways
- 15 terms.
- Each explained in full elsewhere.
A to Z
- Cascade
- Winning symbols vanish and new ones fall.
- Feature trail
- A board on a fruit machine leading to prizes.
- Hit frequency
- How often any win lands.
- Hold
- Keep a reel for the next spin.
- Nudge
- Step a reel one position.
- Payline
- A path on which matching symbols pay.
- Paytable
- A list of what a machine pays.
- Progressive
- A jackpot that grows with play.
- Reel
- A strip of symbols.
- RNG
- Random number generator.
- RTP
- Return to player.
- Scatter
- A symbol that pays or triggers anywhere.
- Virtual reel
- A software reel with hidden stops.
- Volatility
- How unevenly a machine pays.
- Wild
- A symbol that substitutes for others.
In full
Keep reading: Volatility, Pays-anywhere slot machines, Gates of Olympus slot machine and Casumo slot machines.
Go further: Slot machine near misses, The first video slot machines and The bell symbol.
Keep reading: Starburst vs Big Bass Bonanza, The one-armed bandit, The Liberty Bell and UK slot machine rules.
Slot figures are developers' published defaults, each confirmed against two sources; the version at your casino can differ. UK land-based stake and prize limits and online rule dates were checked against Gambling Commission and licensing authority sources on 6 October 2026. History follows commonly cited accounts. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What is RTP?
Return to player.
What is a wild?
A substituting symbol.
What is a nudge?
A one-step reel move.
What is a virtual reel?
A software reel with hidden stops.