A narrow opening or groove in something, such as a letter or postcard slot in a mailbox or the hole in an ice hockey goal. Also: (in computer software) an allocated time and place for an aircraft to land or take off, determined by a coordination slot assigned by an airport or air-traffic control authority.
An online casino or video game that allows players to wager virtual credits based on the outcome of spinning reels. Whether they are played in-person at a physical casino or from the comfort of home on a desktop or mobile device, the process is similar: players insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes, then activate the machine by pressing a lever or button (physical or virtual) or clicking a spin button. The digital reels then spin and stop to reveal symbols, and if the player matches a winning combination as listed in the pay table, they earn credits based on the payout schedule.
While playing slots doesn’t require the same strategy or instincts as some other casino games, understanding some key terminology can help players improve their odds of securing larger wins and enjoying bonus features. Below, we’ve compiled a list of essential terms that every gambler should know before playing slots.
The first of these, the pay table, is an important guide that explains how different combinations of symbols pay out. This table is traditionally displayed on the machine’s exterior and includes multiple columns and rows, with the highest combinations listed at the top of the chart and lower combinations toward the bottom. Many video and online slots also include on-screen pay tables that display the same information.