Editing Slot machine (section)

==Operation==
[[Image:Imperial Palace, Las Vegas (3191539085).jpg|thumb|A person playing a video slot machine in Las Vegas]]

Depending on the machine, the player can insert cash or, in "[[ticket-in, ticket-out]]" machines, a paper ticket with a [[barcode]], into a designated slot on the machine. The machine is then activated by means of a lever or button (either physical or on a touchscreen), which activates reels that spin and stop to rearrange the symbols. If a player matches a winning combination of symbols, the player earns credits based on the paytable. Symbols vary depending on the theme of the machine. Classic symbols include objects such as fruits, bells, and stylized [[Luck#Numerology|lucky sevens]]. Most slot games have a theme, such as a specific [[Style (visual arts)|style]], location, or character. Symbols and other bonus features of the game are typically aligned with the theme. Some themes are licensed from popular [[media franchise]]s, including films, television series (including [[game show]]s such as ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'', which has been one of the most popular lines of slot machines overall),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-05 |title=Iconic Wheel of Fortune still top slot 25 years later |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/iconic-wheel-of-fortune-still-top-slot-25-years-later-2414176/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=G2E: IGT expands Wheel of Fortune to video poker, ETG games |url=https://cdcgaming.com/g2e-igt-expands-wheel-of-fortune-to-video-poker-etg-games/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=CDC Gaming |language=en-US}}</ref> entertainers, and musicians.

Multi-line slot machines have become more popular since the 1990s. These machines have more than one payline, meaning that visible symbols that are not aligned on the main horizontal may be considered as winning combinations. Traditional three-reel slot machines commonly have one, three, or five paylines while video slot machines may have 9, 15, 25, or as many as 1024 different paylines. Most accept variable numbers of credits to play, with 1 to 15 credits per line being typical. The higher the amount bet, the higher the payout will be if the player wins.

One of the main differences between video slot machines and reel machines is in the way payouts are calculated. With reel machines, the only way to win the maximum jackpot is to play the maximum number of coins (usually three, sometimes four or even five coins per spin). With video machines, the fixed payout values are multiplied by the number of coins per line that is being bet. In other words: on a reel machine, the odds are more favorable if the gambler plays with the maximum number of coins available.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harris|first1=Tom|title=How Slot Machines Work|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/slot-machine4.htm|access-date=10 July 2014|date=2002-02-26}}</ref> However, depending on the structure of the game and its bonus features, some video slots may still include features that improve chances at payouts by making increased wagers.

[[File:Jackpot 6000.jpg|thumb|A "multi-way" game with several winning lines]]
"Multi-way" games eschew fixed paylines in favor of allowing symbols to pay anywhere, as long as there is at least one in at least three consecutive reels from left to right. Multi-way games may be configured to allow players to bet by-reel: for example, on a game with a 3x5 pattern (often referred to as a 243-way game), playing one reel allows all three symbols in the first reel to potentially pay, but only the center row pays on the remaining reels (often designated by darkening the unused portions of the reels). Other multi-way games use a 4x5 or 5x5 pattern, where there are up to five symbols in each reel, allowing for up to 1,024 and 3,125 ways to win respectively. The Australian manufacturer [[Aristocrat Leisure|Aristocrat]] brands games featuring this system as "Reel Power", "Xtra Reel Power" and "Super Reel Power" respectively. A variation involves patterns where symbols are adjacent to one another. Most of these games have a hexagonal reel formation, and much like multi-way games, any patterns not played are darkened out of use.

Denominations can range from 1 cent ("penny slots") all the way up to $100.00 or more per credit. The latter are typically known as "high limit" machines, and machines configured to allow for such wagers are often located in dedicated areas (which may have a separate team of attendants to cater to the needs of those who play there). The machine automatically calculates the number of credits the player receives in exchange for the cash inserted. Newer machines often allow players to choose from a selection of denominations on a [[splash screen]] or menu.