|
T
TAKE CYCLE – The take cycle of a given slot machine is the
length of time needed for the device to take in as many coins as is
needed to pay out a jackpot. The minimum number of coins collected
during the take cycle covers not only the “cost” of a prize, but
also the complimentary number of coins needed to meet the device’s
assigned payout percentage and hold percentage. A slot machine can
and will sometimes pay out smaller prizes while the take cycle is in
progress, but it will usually not hit the maximum jackpot until it
has completed a take cycle. Obviously, this does not apply to online
slot machines! Devices with larger prizes will not hold as much cash
as is needed to pay out the highest jackpot, which means that a hand
pay is needed.
TASTE – This is something that keeps a player fascinated by
their slot machine and placing bets, not unlike the manner in which
the first bite of a delicious meal keeps a diner wanting to chow
down on their dinner! A “taste” in reference to a slot machine is a
small-denomination win meant to keep players tantalized and
continuously wagering. It’s rare that a slot game win not pay out at
least enough to “break even” over several spins, and this is no
coincidence. Since the casino keeps only a very small amount of each
wager that goes into their terminals, it behooves them to entice
players to place many bets.
THEORETICAL HOLD WORKSHEET – The easiest way of describing
the theoretical hold worksheet is as the instructions a casino is
given when it receives a new slot machine for its gaming floor. This
“worksheet,” or manual, informs the operator of the device of such
essential information as the reel strip settings and an algorithm
for what the hold percentage should be based upon levels of coin
intake. The theoretical hold worksheet also spells out how many
coins may be played by the device. This is all very useful and
essential information!
TICKET-IN, TICKET-OUT – TITO is not just a name anymore.
Ticket-in, ticket-out is a modern slot machine payment technology
which was developed by worldwide gambling device revolutionaries
International Gaming Technology (IGT), along with the cooperation of
Casino Data Systems (CDS). The TITO machine is built into slot
terminals, and issues a slip of paper with a barcode from a printer
inside the cabinet. Players can redeem the ticket for money at the
cashier, or use it as credit on other TITO machines. The casino is
linked into a central interface that tracks tickets, so that no
tomfoolery can interfere with the accurate and timely payout of all
prizes and/or credits owed. TITO came about as a safer and more
convenient way of playing the slots, which eliminated the need for
lugging around a cup filled with coins. One main disadvantage of the
TITO system is that a ticket is much easier to lose than a large
amount of coins. Also, some players dislike the impersonal sensation
of playing without handling their own money, and really like the
“sound of rain” that is created by many coins falling down into the
tray with a win.
TIGHT SLOT – These machines are the ones to avoid. Also known
as sputtering or cold slot games, tight slots are those that are
true one-armed bandits. They pay out less over a period of time than
a regular game, and no amount of persistence, cajoling, or cursing
will help the situation! If you feel that you have perched before a
tight slot, your best bet is to follow your gut instinct and leave
it alone!
TILT – This message is displayed on the screen of your slot
machine when there is something wrong with the device. Could be that
the TITO is out of paper, or that the reel’s motors have failed.
Whatever the reason, someone from the casino needs to come and fix
things! Back in olden days when mechanical slots were the norm,
games actually had a tilt switch. Nowadays the actual tilt switch
has become obsolete, but any mechanical failure on the part of the
slot machine is still referred to as a tilt.
TOKEN – A token is used in place of an actual coin in a slot
machine. It is shaped like and acts like a real coin. Once you have
traded in your money for tokens, they are just as valuable as coins…
so make sure you always guard your tokens closely!
TOKENIZATION – This is the concept by which a machine is
configured to accept tokens of only one denomination, to save space
and reduce coin handling. A token buys more than one credit under
this notion. For example, casinos could take all penny, nickel,
quarter, and dollar slot machines on their gaming floor and convert
them into machines taking only dollar tokens. Tokens are
automatically converted into credits. In the case of a nickel slot,
for example, a player would be given twenty credits to start with.
If they were to win anything, that amount would be converted into as
many dollar coins as possible, with remaining credits needing to be
either played or discarded. Obviously, this mechanism is better for
casinos, but a tad unfair for players who are forced to play a
certain amount of coins (in our example, at least one dollar’s worth
of coins in a “nickel” machine), and cannot collect the full value
of their winnings unless it occurs within an even amount divisible
by the coin denomination of the casino’s choosing.
TWO-ARMED BANDIT – We know that a one-armed bandit is another
term for a slot machine, because it has a single arm (the legacy
handle or lever that operates the reels) and can rob you blind.
Believe it or not, a two-armed bandit is not a Siamese slot machine
– it’s the normal kind of bandit, the human kind with two sneaky
hands. Casino floors are perpetual cruising grounds for unsavory
crooks looking to scam and loot as much booty as they can from flush
gamblers. They are always on the lookout for an unattended coin cup
or a purse sitting unguarded on a stool while the player is focused
on their pokey. Two-armed bandits might also get up to a bit of
spooning, stringing, or drilling in their spare time.
Back to the
Encyclopedia.
|
SLOTS DATA
