A slot is a narrow opening or groove in something, for example, the hole that you drop coins into to make a machine work. If you slot something, you put it into a space where it fits, for instance if you slotted a CD into a CD player or you slotted the car seat belt into place easily.
You can also use the word in a figurative sense, to refer to a position in a series or sequence. For example, you may say that someone has a ‘slot’ in the band or that your school has a ‘slot’ for you to take. A slot is also a technical term used in computer hardware to refer to an expansion slot on the motherboard. These slots are generally labeled with letters, for example ISA slot or AGP slot.
Whether you’re an avid slot player or just looking for some quiet time alone, it’s important to know the rules of slots. From the cost per play to the pay lines and chances, you can learn a lot about the game before you invest your hard earned cash.
First, read the pay table. This will explain how much you can win if you land certain sets of symbols on a pay line. It will also describe what symbols to look out for, including stacked symbols, which can cover more than one space and therefore increase your chances of a winning combination. The pay table is often displayed in a small table and in bright colours to make it easier to read.