What Does Tilt On A Slot Machine Mean

If a slot machine malfunctions it cannot complete the random selection process, and therefore reverts to a 'tilt' mode. When a malfunction occurs some slot machine manufacturers, for engineering purposes, set the reels to stop briefly in a 'jackpot' position. While I was playing on the slot machine, a worker in the casino was walking around looking at all the machines then he walked up to mine asking 'do you need any help today?' Then just inserted a card into the slot machine and walked away. What is the purpose of that? It got me feeling skeptical about my chances of winning or something. There are also just regular people that randomly insert. Head towards the back of the casino next time you want to play slot machines to find a better value. Some slots pay out more than others. Not all slot machines are created equal, and this means they all don’t pay out at the same rate. Generally speaking, video slots pay out less than classic reel slots.

The following glossary is a listing of definitions for commonly used slot machine terms:
ActionThe total amount of money bet in a specific period of time.
BarsBars are a common symbol you’ll see on many slot machines. It is usually a rectangular shape with the word BAR printed on it. There are usually single, double, and triple bar symbols on the reel.
Bonus GameA secondary event in a slot machine game that permits the player to win additional money through an activity other than the spinning of reels.
Buy-A-FeatureA slot machine that includes a bonus feature that is applicable only when multiple coins are wagered.
Buy-A-PayA slot machine with a pay schedule that includes winning combinations that only apply when multiple coins are wagered.
CarouselA group of slot machines.
Cold MachineA slot machine that is not paying much out. This is likely because it is set with a lower payout percentage.
Coin-Free PlaySlot machine play that involves using printed tickets or credit tokens instead of coins.
CreditA credit is the slot machines equivalent to coins. When you insert coins or bills into the machine you are awarded one credit for each coin. You are also awarded credits for winning spins. Each credit awarded is equivalent to one coin. You can turn your credits back into coins by pressing the Cash Out button on the machine.
FillNew bag of coins used to refresh an empty hopper.
Low LevelSlot machines you can sit at to play.
HitAny winning combination of symbols on the pay line.
Hit FrequencyThe frequency with which a slot machine registers a winning combination relative to the number of games played.
Hold And Respin GameA slot machine that permits the player to hold the results of one or more reels and spin the remaining reels a second time in an attempt to improve the result.
HopperThis is where the money is stored inside the machine. When the hopper overflows, the excess change flows over into a bucket. The “excess” is the profit the casino takes home. Hoppers are generally emptied in the morning before the crowds arrive.
Hot MachineA slot machine that is paying out well. This is likely because it is set with a higher payout percentage.
JackpotThe highest payout on a slot machine.
Loose MachineA slot machine that is paying out well. This is likely because it is set with a higher payout percentage.
Max BetThe maximum amount of coins that you can play per spin.
Multi-lineA slot machine with more than one pay line. Slot machines may have several pay lines.
MultiplierA slot machine with a pay schedule where the pay schedule for each winning combination is multiplied evenly by each coin wagered.
Pay LineUsually the line in the middle of the slot window but also it can be three lines, five lines or even more on video slots. Only symbols on a pay line will result in a win.
Pay For PlayThese are generally one-two-three coins option slot machines with staggered payoffs. The more coins you put the better the payoffs.
Pay TableThe section of the slot machine that shows the payoffs for each type of winning combination. The pay table will also tell you if there are bonus features.
PaybackThe percentage of winnings a machine will payout in relation to the amount put in, also known as payout percentage.
Progressive JackpotA jackpot that grows progressively as people play. For each spin/hand played the machine adds a small credit to the running jackpot total. Sometimes several machines are linked up together to form a combined large jackpot, and also several casinos may join together to form an inter-casino progressive jackpot that can generate very large sums.
Progressive SlotsA group of slot machines linked together to pay one common big jackpot.
ReelsRotating narrow barrels on which the symbols appear. You might find two, three, and four reel slot machines, but three is the most common. The more reels, the harder it is to hit jackpot.
Scatter PayA winning combination in which the individual jackpot symbols are not required to line up on a single pay line, common on video slot machines.
Slot ClubA promotional club that uses player identification cards to electronically track the amount of money wagered by each member, for the purpose of rewarding loyal players through cash rebates, complimentary meals, services, and special members-only events. Also called a Players Club.
Slot TournamentA special event in which players compete for preset cash prizes on specially programmed slot machines, receiving points for accumulated credits.
Stand UpSlot machines where you play standing up.
SymbolThe image that spins on the reel.
Take/Pay CycleBased on the assumption that most slot machines work on cycles, it is when to expect a machine to pay out following a certain amount of coins fed into it.
Tight MachineA slot machine that is not paying much out. This is likely because it is set with a lower payout percentage.
TiltSlots often tilt for a couple of reasons: either they have run out of coins, or because a coin is stopping up the machine. When a machine tilts, it stops paying and the tilt light comes on. If coins are owed to the player, the slot’s memory will account for them and pay the player after the problem has been fixed.
Video Slot MachineA slot machine with a video screen on which the reels and other elements are simulated with graphics and animation.
VolatilityThe ratio of size versus frequency of jackpots in a slot game.
Wild SymbolActs as a joker symbol to make up a winning combination on the pay line.

What Does Tilt On A Slot Machine Mean Machine

Remember the movie National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation, when gambling fever consumes Chevy Chase’s character, Clark W. Griswold? He goes on a losing streak to beat all losing streaks while his son, Rusty, wins four cars by playing the slot machines. Maybe Clark would have done better if he had read Probability For Dummies! In this article, you discover the basic ideas behind slot machines and how they work, so that you can get past the myths and develop a strategy based on sound probability.

Understanding average payout

When casinos advertise that their slot machines pay out an average of 90 percent, the fine print they don’t want you to read says that you lose 10 cents from each dollar you put into the machines in the long term. (In probability terms, this advertisement means that your expected winnings are minus 10 cents on every dollar you spend every time the money goes through the machines.)

Suppose you start with $100 and bet a dollar at a time, for example. After inserting all $100 into the slot, 100 pulls later you’ll end up on average with $90, because you lose 10 percent of your money. If you run the $90 back through the machine, you’ll end up with 90 percent of it back, which is 0.90 x 90 = $81. If you run that amount through in 81 pulls, you’ll have $72.90 afterward (0.90 x 81 = 72.90). If you keep going for 44 rounds, on average, the money will be gone, unless you have the luck of Rusty Griswold!

How many pulls on the machine does your $100 give you at this rate? Each time you have less money to run through the machine, so you have fewer pulls left. If you insert $1 at a time, you can expect 972 total pulls in the long term with these average payouts (that’s the total pulls in 44 rounds). But keep in mind that casinos are designing slot machines to go faster and faster between spins. Some are even doing away with the handles and tokens by using digital readouts on gaming cards that you put into the machines. The faster machines can play up to 25 spins per hour, and 972 spins divided by 25 spins per minute is 38.88 minutes. You don’t have a very long time to enjoy your $100 before it’s gone!

The worst part? Casinos often advertise that their “average payouts” are even as high as 95 percent. But beware: That number applies only to certain machines, and the casinos don’t rush to tell you which ones. You really need to read or ask about the fine print before playing. You can also try to check the information on the machine to see if it lists its payouts. (Don’t expect this information to be front and center.)

What Does Tilt On A Slot Machine Mean Spiritually

Implementing a simple strategy for slots

Advice varies regarding whether you should play nickel, quarter, or dollar slot machines and whether you should max out the number of coins you bet or not (you usually get to choose between one and five coins to bet on a standard slot machine). In this section, you’ll find a few tips for getting the most bang for your buck (or nickel) when playing slot machines.

Basically, when it comes to slot machines, strategy boils down to this: Know the rules, your probability of winning, and the expected payouts; dispel any myths; and quit while you’re ahead. If you win $100, cash out $50 and play with the rest, for example. After you lose a certain amount (determined by you in advance), don’t hesitate to quit. Go to the all-you-can-eat buffet and try your luck with the casino food; odds are it’s pretty good!

Choosing among nickel, quarter, and dollar machines

The machines that have the higher denominations usually give the best payouts. So, between the nickel and quarter slots, for example, the quarter slots generally give better payouts. However, you run the risk of getting in way over your head in a hurry, so don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. The bottom line: Always choose a level that you have fun playing at and that allows you to play for your full set time limit.

Deciding how many coins to play at a time

When deciding on the number of coins you should play per spin, keep in mind that more is sometimes better. If the slot machine gives you more than two times the payout when you put in two times the number of coins, for example, you should max it out instead of playing single coins because you increase your chances of winning a bigger pot, and the expected value is higher. If the machine just gives you k times the payout for k coins, it doesn’t matter if you use the maximum number of coins. You may as well play one at a time until you can make some money and leave so your money lasts a little longer.

What Does Tilt On A Slot Machine Mean

For example, say a quarter machine pays 10 credits for the outcome 777 when you play only a single quarter, but if you play two quarters, it gives you 25 credits for the same outcome. And if you play the maximum number of quarters (say, four), a 777 results in 1,000 credits. You can see that playing four quarters at a time gives you a better chance of winning a bigger pot in the long run (if you win, that is) compared to playing a single quarter at a time for four consecutive tries.

The latest slot machine sweeping the nation is the so-called “penny slot machine.” Although it professes to require only a penny for a spin, you get this rate only if you want to bet one penny at a time. The machines entice you to bet way more than one penny at a time; in fact, on some machines, you can bet more than 1,000 coins (called lines) on each spin — $10 a shot here, folks. Because these machines take any denomination of paper bill, as well as credit cards, your money can go faster on penny machines than on dollar machines because you can quickly lose track of your spendings. Pinching pennies may not be worth it after all!