Editing Slot machine (section)

====Category C====
Category C games are often referred to as '''fruit machines''', '''one-armed bandits''' and '''AWP''' ([[amusement with prize]]). Fruit machines are commonly found in [[pub]]s, [[Nightclub|club]]s, and [[video arcade|arcade]]s. Machines commonly have three but can be found with four or five reels, each with 16–24 symbols printed around them. The reels are spun each play, from which the appearance of particular combinations of symbols result in payment of their associated winnings by the machine (or alternatively initiation of a subgame). These games often have many extra features, trails and subgames with opportunities to win money; usually more than can be won from just the payouts on the reel combinations.

Fruit machines in the U.K. almost universally have the following features, generally selected at random using a [[pseudorandom number generator]]:
* A player (known in the industry as a ''punter'') may be given the opportunity to ''hold'' one or more reels before spinning, meaning they will not be spun but instead retain their displayed symbols yet otherwise count normally for that play. This can sometimes increase the chance of winning, especially if two or more reels are held.  
* A player may also be given a number of ''nudges'' following a spin (or, in some machines, as a result in a subgame). A nudge is a step rotation of a reel chosen by the player (the machine may not allow all reels to be nudged for a particular play).
* ''Cheats'' can also be made available on the internet or through emailed newsletters to subscribers. These cheats give the player the impression of an advantage, whereas in reality the payout percentage remains exactly the same. The most widely used cheat is known as '''hold after a nudge''' and increases the chance that the player will win following an unsuccessful nudge. Machines from the early 1990s did not advertise the concept of '''hold after a nudge''' when this feature was first introduced, it became so well known amongst players and widespread amongst new machine releases that it is now well-advertised on the machine during play. This is characterized by messages on the display such as ''DON'T HOLD ANY'' or ''LET 'EM SPIN'' and is a designed feature of the machine, not a cheat at all.  Holding the same pair three times on three consecutive spins also gives a guaranteed win on most machines that offer holds.

It is known for machines to pay out multiple jackpots, one after the other (this is known as a "repeat") but each jackpot requires a new game to be played so as not to violate the law about the maximum payout on a single play. Typically this involves the player only pressing the Start button at the "repeat" prompt, for which a single credit is taken, regardless of whether this causes the reels to spin or not.  Machines are also known to intentionally set aside money, which is later awarded in a series of wins, known as a "streak". The minimum payout percentage is 70%, with pubs often setting the payout at around 78%.

[[File:Slot machines - kanagawa japan 2024 may 15.webm|thumb|Slot machines in [[Japan]], 2024]]