A slot is a narrow opening into which something can be fitted. It can be a hole that you drop coins into to make a machine work, or it could be a time slot in your schedule when you plan to do something. The word can also refer to a place in a game where you put the ball, or the position of a player on a team.
The pay table on a slot lists the payouts for different combinations of symbols. It can include a picture of each symbol, and how much you can win for landing (typically) 3, 4 or 5 matching symbols on a payline. It can also list any special symbols in the slot, such as wilds or scatters.
On video slots, the pay table is usually shown as a small table with different colours. This makes it easier to see the odds and probabilities of winning. It’s also useful if you want to understand how free bonuses are triggered and played.
The pay table will also give you an idea of the overall RTP (Return to Player) percentage for the slot machine. This is the theoretical percentage that the slot will pay out over a long period of time. A high RTP doesn’t necessarily mean a better chance of winning, however, as it depends on how often you play the slot and how large your bets are. It’s important to test the payout percentage of a machine by putting in some money and seeing how much you get back.
