Traditional Slots Vocabulary

Bonus - a bonus slot is a special combination that when it is hit, gives the player a special prize, usually not a cash payout as is typical of wins. For many bonuses, that means the player will get to crack into a special feature of the game, normally unavailable- often based on the thematics of the game. Genie based games, for example, often have the graphics of the genie come out and offer the bettor a choice, resulting in additional spins, or a related game. As the bettor makes his/her choices, the bonus continues until choices deem the bonus round has ended.
Candle - the candle of the machine is the light, usually spinning, that is on the very top of a physical machine in a land based casino. When large wins are achieved, the candle, usually red, will go off spinning, often to the accompaniment of sirens or music to attract the attention not only of staff to payout a large amount, but it also serves are advertisement to other players that big wins do happen. The candle may also be programmed to alert staff to service needs on a machine.
Carousel - a carousel of slot machines is a grouping of similarly themed, or same game slot machines, placed together. Carousels are typically arranged in the form of circles or ovals; the Wheel of Fortune game is a great example of this, as the carousel encircles a large Wheel of Fortune.
Coin hopper - the container within the machine that holds the coins ready to be paid out with any wins. Since the inception of tickets, credits and receipts to most electronic machines, coin hopper-machines have become less popular, but are still to be found. It is a mechanism designed to cash out the number of coins won to the patron, or to cash out remaining credits if the “Cash Out” button is pressed.
Credit meter - credit meters are located on the front of modern machines. The credit meter gives the bettor a running number of the amount of credit they have left in the machine to play. It also registers wins automatically. When the gambler chooses to leave the machines and cash out, the amount on the credit meter is the amount to be paid out, or printed on the receipt slip to be taken to another machine.
Drop bucket/ Drop box - inside of the slot machine in the drop box, also referred to as the drop bucket. If a coin received doesn’t fit in the coin hopper, or misses it for some reason, the coin will fall to the bucket. Both the bucket and the hopper are balanced by the casino staff on a regular basis.
Hand pay - a hand pay is when a payout is given by a person, or at the cage rather than by the played machine itself. Although in the past, hand pay’s were usually only in cases where taxes would need to be filed, or if the winnings exceeded the amount available in the machine, the current receipt system available in most casinos allow players to simply receive their winnings in bills at the cage, regardless of the amounts.
Low level/ slant top slot machines - low level machines are built in way that is best accommodated by a chair or stool. Most casinos have a majority of low level machines with a seat that entice gamblers to get comfortable, and stay and play longer. There are some machines that require bettors to stand (they are called stand up or upright slot machines), but they are few and far between due to the unattractiveness of standing for extended periods of time to gamble. Standing machines are usually found closest to casino doors.
Optimal play - optimal play is a payout percentage determined by a gambler who is using the optimal strategy, or playing maximums on all options, on a skill based slot machine game.
Payline - a payline used to be the center line of a slot game, the line across which the symbol patterns were determined. The payline(s) still determine the combinations, but are no longer required to be straight across, let alone in the middle. Paylines now dance across in the screen in diagonal and criss cross patterns. Those machines that are physically mechanical can be programmed to have as many as 9 paylines, while electronic and computerized versions can have as many as 100.
Rollup - the rollup of the game refers to the noises, sirens, and music a slot machines may emit upon a win. They are a means, in addition to the candle, to draw attention to wins and entice hesitant players to the games, or keep leaving players at the machines.
Tilt - in the early, mechanical machines, “tilt” referred to physical issues with the machines, and there was a tilt switch on the side of the machine that brought it down and out of service. Although new technology has eliminated the need for the switches, problems with machines are still referred to by the term tilt in tradition.