A narrow depression, groove, notch, or slit, especially one used for receiving or admitting something, such as a coin or letter. Also, a position in a series or sequence; a time slot on a broadcasting schedule; the interior opening of a copy desk occupied by the chief copy editor.
Originally, slot machines were simple. Punters had to keep track of a few paylines and symbols, and could only win jackpots through specific combinations of those. But today’s slots have a lot more going on, and it can be difficult to keep track of the rules and winning possibilities. Luckily, most slot machines have information tables that can help. These are called “pay tables,” and they list all the possible payouts for a particular machine’s symbols, jackpots, bonus rounds, and other rules. They may be permanently displayed on the machine, or, with touchscreen displays, they might be an interactive series of images that can be switched between to view all possible wins.
In addition to the pay table, most slot machines have a few buttons on their front panels that allow players to adjust their bets and spin the reels. Bet Max – Use this button when you have credits showing to automatically bet the maximum amount allowed by the machine. Change – Press this button to request change or assistance from a slot attendant. Help – If you’re stuck on a game, press this button to light the candle on the machine and signal that you need help.