A thin opening in something, used for passing things through. For example, a mail slot in the door of a post office or a slat in the primary flight surfaces of certain birds to help keep air flowing smoothly over the wings.
When slots first came onto the market, punters had to keep track of a handful of paylines and symbols, whereas today’s games tend to be more complex with varying payouts and bonus features. To make it easier to understand what’s going on, developers have included information tables known as pay tables to give players a detailed breakdown of how the game works and what they can expect to win if a specific combination of symbols land.
Often, the pay table will also provide details of how to trigger any bonus features. These can range from free spins rounds to mystery pick games, sticky wilds and re-spins, but the exact rules will vary depending on the slot in question.
Finally, the pay table will explain how much you can bet per spin and may highlight a minimum and maximum stake value. This can be especially useful for beginners who are new to online slots as it will help them avoid spending more than they can afford to lose. Ultimately, the most important factor when it comes to winning is luck and being aware of what you can expect from a particular slot. However, you can still try to maximise your chances of winning by choosing a game that has a high RTP rate and betting limits that are affordable for you.