This document defines some key terms related to slot machines: - Bonuses are special features of slot games that award extra payouts or spins. They vary by game. - Pay lines are the lines across the reels that must match symbols to win. More pay lines are available with higher bets. - The theoretical hold percentage is how much of deposits a slot will pay out over time, usually 95-97%. This is specified in documents from manufacturers. - The credit meter displays available credits to play, but players can lose track of spending, so starting with coins instead of loading a card is advised.

1. POKIES
Some Important Terms Explained

2. SLOTS TERMS • The humble slot has come a long way
EXPLAINED since its debut on the world stage in the
late nineteenth century by inventor
Charles Fey. The popularity of the
Liberty Bell (the name of the first slot
machine) has seemed to grow with each
successive generation, with the slot
machine keeping relevant, exciting, and
profitable for the house. It's these two
simultaneous concepts: house
profitability married with consumer
enjoyment that mean a recipe for
success.

3. SLOTS TERMS • We want to explain a few key terms
EXPLAINED when it comes to slot machines so that
you understand what you playing for
and how you’re paid out.
The terms we will cover are:
• Bonus
• Pay line
• Theoretical hold
• Credit meter

4. SLOTS TERMS Bonus
EXPLAINED • A bonus is a special feature that tends
to be particular to certain slot themes.
Remember, most slots have very similar
mechanical/technological underpinnings
in terms of payout ratios. What changes
is how the device looks from the
outside, and particular winning
combinations. Bonuses vary according
to the game, and will sometimes award
free spins, extra payouts, or anything
else not related to ordinary/regular play.

5. SLOTS TERMS Pay Line
EXPLAINED • A slots machine can pay on either a
straight or diagonal line (sometimes
zigzagged too) that crosses through one
symbol on each reel and evaluates a
winning combination. In general, the
higher the initial wagering amount, the
more pay lines one is entitled to make
use of.

6. SLOTS TERMS Theoretical hold worksheet
EXPLAINED • All slot machines pay out a certain
percentage of their deposits. Most slots
tend to be fixed at between 95 to 97%.
This means that that slot will pay out 95 to
97% of all deposits over its lifetime. The
theoretical hold worksheet is a document
provided by the slot manufacturer that
specifies this payout ratio. It also specifies
the rules, the bonuses that are available,
and any other relevant information.
Although this isn't strictly relevant for
patrons, this would help you choose the
best machines to play on.

7. SLOTS TERMS Credit meter
EXPLAINED • The credit meter is a display that registers
the amount of money or credits that are
available on the machine. But this can also
be very dangerous, because it's easy to
lose track of just how much money one is
playing for. Probably the best advice for
beginner patrons would be to start with
coins before buying a proprietary gaming
card on which is loaded prepaid lines of
credit. Always keep track of your spending
habits and your intended bankroll.
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