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Slot Terms You Need to Know: Volume 36

Slot Placement: This is the physical arrangement of a casino’s slot games on the gaming floor. When placed in a circle or oval, a group of machines form a CAROUSEL. Machines may be individually situated in proximity to other devices and in relation to other physical landmarks in the casino (the entrance, the restrooms, the bar, the gaming tables, the lounge, etc.) based on their PAYOUT/PAYOFF PERCENTAGE. Most casinos will place their most LOOSE, HOT, or SIZZLING machines in places where players can see their peers winning – high-traffic areas. Be careful, though – mixed in are sure to be some duds, also known as COLD, TIGHT, or SPUTTERING slots. Casinos’ overall payouts are calculated based on an average of all their devices’ payoffs. Therefore, most establishments mix high-payout and low-payout machines.

Slot Testing: If every slot machine had its average PAYOUT PERCENTAGE posted prominently on its front, gambling would be a lot easier (although admittedly, less exciting). Players have dreamed up all sorts to schemes to try and discern the payoff percentage of their chosen slot game, including SLOT TESTING. When doing this, a player bets a single roll of coins, one at a time (see ONESIES) until they are gone, and calculates how many wins they achieved.

Slot Tournament: Gamblers can take part in a slot tournament, or competition, to test their luck against their fellow player. Online slot machine tournaments are rare; most competitions are held at land casinos. Entry is usually free. The tournament is structured like this: each player receives either a certain amount of coins or a certain amount of time in which to win as much money as possible. Other than a quick hand to get in as many spins as possible, sheer luck is the deciding factor in these tourneys. The winners are those who have won the most money, and may be rewarded either the monies they have won playing the device, or a separate prize amount.

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