Pick or Skip explains the machine. It does not predict the spin. Every spin is random.
Slot Basics
Slot Machine
A casino game where each spin is determined electronically by a random number generator. The app helps classify the machine style — it does not predict the next spin.
Spin
One play of the machine. Each spin is completely separate from every spin before it.
Reel
A vertical column of symbols shown on the screen. Older machines used physical reels; modern video slots simulate them digitally.
Symbol
An image on the reels — numbers, letters, animals, coins, gems, wilds, scatters, or bonus icons.
Payline
A line or pattern where matching symbols create a win. Some games have fixed paylines; others use "ways to win" instead.
Ways to Win
A format where wins come from matching symbols on adjacent reels rather than fixed paylines. Examples: 243 ways, 1,024 ways, 4,096 ways. More ways does not automatically mean better — volatility and bet size still matter.
Cluster Pays
A format where wins come from groups or clusters of matching symbols instead of paylines.
Credit
The unit shown on the machine. Its value depends on the denomination. On a 1¢ machine, 100 credits = $1. On a $1 machine, 100 credits = $100.
Denom / Denomination
The value of one credit. Common denoms: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, $1, $5. Always look at the total bet per spin, not just the denom.
Penny Slot
A machine where each credit may be worth one cent — but the actual spin cost may still be $0.88, $1.76, $2.50, or more.
Dollar Machine
A machine where each credit is worth $1. Higher denom machines move faster financially and may not fit small bankrolls.
Bet Per Spin
The total amount wagered each time the player presses spin, including denom, lines, credits per line, bet level, and feature bets.
Min Bet
The lowest available bet on the machine. The first thing a budget-conscious player should check.
Max Bet
The highest available bet. Some jackpots require max bet or a minimum qualifying bet — but max bet can also drain a bankroll quickly.
Feature Bet
An optional added wager that activates or improves a game feature (extra bonus chance, higher jackpot eligibility, etc.). Makes the game more exciting but increases cost per spin.
TITO
Ticket In, Ticket Out. The system where players insert and cash out printed vouchers.
Machine Styles
Low Volatility Slot
More frequent smaller wins. Best for budget stretchers, casual players, and players who want more time on device.
Medium Volatility Slot
Balances regular play with some larger win potential. Good for players who want entertainment with some upside.
High Volatility Slot
May go long stretches without meaningful wins but can offer larger bonuses or jackpots. Best for jackpot chasers and larger bankrolls.
Hold-and-Spin Slot
Certain symbols lock in place while the player receives respins to collect prizes, coins, or jackpots.
Lock-and-Respin Slot
Similar to hold-and-spin. Special symbols lock while the machine gives additional respins.
Persistent State Slot
A machine where progress meters, symbols, or features remain between spins or players. Visible progress does not guarantee a win.
Must-Hit-By Slot
A progressive jackpot machine where the jackpot must be awarded before reaching a stated amount. It does not mean the jackpot is about to hit.
Classic Reel Slot
Traditional slot look, often three reels or simple five-reel play.
Video Slot
Modern slot with animated screens, bonus games, characters, sound effects, and advanced features.
Bonus-Heavy Slot
Much of the excitement comes from triggering bonus features. Fun, but often swingy.
Jackpot-Heavy Slot
Main appeal is chasing named jackpots. Better for jackpot chasers than budget stretchers.
Bonus Features
Free Spins
A bonus where the player gets spins without paying for each one. May include wilds, multipliers, expanding reels, or retriggers.
Pick Bonus
A bonus where the player chooses objects on screen to reveal prizes.
Wheel Bonus
A bonus where a wheel spins to award a prize, jackpot, multiplier, or number of free spins.
Multiplier
A feature that increases a win. Examples: 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x, 100x.
Wild Symbol
A symbol that can substitute for other symbols to help make a win.
Scatter Symbol
A symbol that can trigger bonuses or wins regardless of its exact position on a payline.
Expanding Wild
A wild symbol that grows to cover more reel positions.
Sticky Wild
A wild that stays in place for multiple spins, usually during a bonus.
Stacked Wild
A wild that appears stacked across multiple positions on a reel.
Walking Wild
A wild that moves across the reels during spins.
Retrigger
When a bonus awards more spins, more picks, or extends the feature.
Collection Feature
A feature where the player collects symbols, coins, or meters to trigger or improve a bonus.
Second-Screen Bonus
A bonus that moves the player to a separate screen away from the regular reels.
Buy-a-Bonus
A feature allowing the player to pay extra to trigger a bonus. Can be expensive — the cost per spin increases significantly.
Jackpots
Fixed Jackpot
A jackpot with a set, unchanging amount.
Progressive Jackpot
A jackpot that grows as people play.
Local Progressive
A progressive jackpot linked to machines in one casino or small group of machines.
Wide-Area Progressive
A progressive jackpot linked across many casinos. These can grow very large.
Standalone Progressive
A progressive jackpot attached to one machine only.
Linked Progressive
A progressive jackpot shared by multiple machines.
Mini Jackpot
Usually the smallest jackpot level on the machine.
Minor Jackpot
Larger than Mini, smaller than Major.
Major Jackpot
A larger jackpot, usually below Grand.
Grand Jackpot
Usually the largest jackpot on the machine.
Must-Hit-By Jackpot
A jackpot that must be awarded before reaching a displayed amount. "Must hit by" does not mean "due now."
Reset Value
The amount a progressive jackpot returns to after it is won.
Jackpot Eligible
The player's bet qualifies for the jackpot. Some machines require a certain bet level.
Wins & Payout Math
Line Win
A win created by symbols landing in a winning pattern (payline, ways, cluster). The most common type of win during normal play.
Bonus
A special feature triggered by the machine — free spins, pick games, wheel spins, hold-and-spin, lock-and-respin, multipliers. A bonus can award a jackpot, but is not automatically a jackpot.
Jackpot
A named larger prize on the machine — commonly Mini, Minor, Major, Grand. Not the same as a regular line win.
Random Win
A prize from a mystery or random feature — surprise credit prizes, random jackpots, mystery wheels. Does not mean the machine has a pattern.
Base Game Win
A win during normal play, outside of any bonus round.
Bonus Win
The total amount won during a bonus feature.
Hand Pay
A win large enough that the machine locks up and casino staff must pay the player manually. This is a major win event.
Mystery Win
A random or hidden prize awarded by the machine, not always tied to the visible symbols.
RTP — Return to Player
The theoretical percentage of all money wagered that a machine returns over millions of spins. A 90% RTP means ~$90 back per $100 wagered long-term. This does not tell you what will happen today or in your next 100 spins.
Hold Percentage
The casino's theoretical percentage. If RTP is 90%, hold is 10%.
House Edge
The casino's mathematical advantage over the long run.
Volatility
How a slot tends to pay. Low volatility = smaller wins more often. High volatility = fewer wins but larger potential wins. This is one of the app's most important classification tools.
Variance
A math term for how much results can swing. In everyday slot talk, variance and volatility are used almost interchangeably.
Hit Frequency
How often the machine produces any winning result. High hit frequency does not mean profitable — many "wins" may be smaller than the bet.
Expected Loss
The theoretical amount a player may lose over time based on RTP, bet size, and number of spins. Not a prediction for a single session.
Paytable
The screen showing what symbols, bonuses, and jackpots can pay. The app simplifies this information.
Theoretical
A long-term mathematical expectation — not a short-term promise.
Floor Talk
Hit
Any win or meaningful result — could mean a line win, bonus, jackpot, or random win.
Pop
Slang for a bonus or feature triggering. "It popped the bonus."
Double Pop
Two bonus-style events close together or in one sequence. Exciting, but does not mean the machine is hot.
Triple Pop
Three bonus-style events close together. Still random. Does not predict another bonus.
Whiff
When a bonus finally triggers but pays very little. "That bonus whiffed."
Brick
A bad or disappointing bonus result. "That was a brick bonus."
Tease
A result that looks close to a bonus or jackpot but does not land. Does not mean the bonus is coming.
Near Miss
A result that appears close to a big win but is not. Not evidence of a future payout.
Dead Spin
A spin with no win.
Dry Spell
A stretch of spins with little or no meaningful return. Does not mean the machine is due.
Drain
When a machine quickly uses up the player's bankroll. "That machine drained me."
Bankroll Burner
A machine that takes money quickly — usually high minimum bet, high volatility, few small wins.
Save
A win that rescues a bad session. "That bonus saved me."
Pressing
Increasing the bet after winning or during a hot session.
Backing Down
Lowering the bet to preserve bankroll.
Feeding It
Continuing to put money into a machine after losing. A caution sign.
Chasing
Continuing to play to try to win back losses. Risky behavior.
Walked / Bailed / Cashed Out
The player left the machine or ended the session and took the ticket.
Myths
Due / Due to Hit
The belief that a machine should pay because it has not paid recently. This is a myth. The machine is never owed a win.
Hot Machine
A machine that recently paid well. Recent wins do not prove it will keep paying.
Cold Machine
A machine that has not paid recently. A cold machine is not automatically ready to pay.
Tight Machine
A machine that feels like it is not paying. Players cannot reliably identify the actual payback setting from a short session.
Loose Machine
A machine that feels generous. A few good hits do not prove higher RTP.
Ready / Cooking / Warming Up
Player slang suggesting a machine is about to pay. Entertainment talk only — not strategy. The app does not endorse these as predictions.
It Has to Hit
False belief that the machine must soon pay. Each spin is random and independent.
Playing Through the Bad
Continuing to play because the player believes a machine will eventually reward patience. A caution sign.
Martingale
A betting approach where the player increases bets after losses. Risky — not a reliable system.
Player Types
Day Tripper
Here for a few hours with roughly $100–200. The goal is time on the machine and a good afternoon, not a life-changing score. Best matched to low-volatility games (Tier 1–2) that pay small and often — the money lasts, and the session stays fun. High-volatility machines can empty this bankroll before the first bonus ever lands.
Weekend Player
Roughly $400–600 spread across two days. Wants entertainment first but is genuinely hoping for a jackpot moment. Handles medium volatility (Tier 3) comfortably and can absorb a Tier 4 machine for a shorter run. The key is splitting the bankroll by day rather than by session.
Jackpot Chaser
About $300, aimed at one big outcome rather than a long session. Accepts that most sessions end at zero in exchange for a real shot at a top award. Matched to high-volatility machines (Tier 4–5), progressives, and hold-and-spin features where the payout is concentrated in rare events.
The Grinder
Plays long, tracks results, and thinks in terms of the machine's math rather than luck. Comfortable across the middle tiers and drawn to multi-feature machines where structure and persistence matter. Values knowing exactly what a machine does before committing to it.
High Roller
$1,000+ sessions, typically in the high-limit room. Deep enough bankroll to ride out the dry spells that define high-volatility machines, which is exactly where Tier 4–5 games and wide-area progressives pay off. Volatility that would end a smaller session becomes workable here.
App Terms
Pick
A machine that fits the player's goal, bankroll, risk tolerance, and style. Pick does not mean the machine will win.
Skip
A machine that is a poor fit for the player's goal, bankroll, or risk tolerance. Skip does not mean the machine cannot win.
Tier
Pick or Skip's own rating system. Tiers 1–2 are lower-volatility machines for stretching a budget. Tiers 3–4 balance entertainment and jackpot potential. Tier 5 machines are high-volatility big-swing games for larger bankrolls.
Player Match
The app's estimate of which type of player the machine may best fit.
Machine Profile
The app's summary of a machine including volatility, player fit, bonus style, jackpot type, and notes.
Bonus Style
The type of bonus the machine offers: free spins, pick bonus, wheel, hold-and-spin, random feature.
Jackpot Style
The jackpot structure: fixed, progressive, local, wide-area, must-hit-by.
Entertainment Budget
Money set aside for gambling as entertainment — should not include money needed for bills, rent, food, or other obligations.
Loss Limit
The amount the player decides not to go beyond.
Win Limit
The amount where the player decides to cash out or take a break.
Tilt
A state where the player keeps playing emotionally after losses or frustration. Take a break.
Chasing Losses
Trying to win back money already lost. Past losses do not improve future odds.
Independent Spins
Each spin stands alone. The machine does not owe a win because of previous spins.
RNG — Random Number Generator
The system that determines slot results. Every spin is random — no pattern, no memory, no "due" results.