Slot
A slot is an opening in a piece of machinery or in the wing of an airplane. A slot is also the position of a keyway or slit for a coin in a vending machine.
The word “slot” is derived from Middle Low German, or a variant of the Dutch term “slotje”. It’s not clear when the word was first used, but it could be an adaptation of a word meaning a door bolt, or a notch in a wing or tail.
Slots have come a long way from the simple pull-to-play mechanical versions of the past. Today, casino floors are ablaze with towering slots complete with bright video screens and quirky themes. But while these eye-catching contraptions may seem like a good way to win some cash, experts warn that they can be a waste of your money.
Pay table
The pay table of a slot machine tells you how much you’ll win for each symbol on the reels. Depending on the machine, this table can be found on the front of the machine, in a help menu, or on an LCD display.
Symbols
Each slot machine has symbols that are designed to represent different things. These might include numbers from nine through ace, a variety of shapes and symbols representing various countries and cultures.
Bonus rounds
A slot machine’s bonus rounds can be extremely exciting, with special winning scenes appearing on the LCD screen and energizing music playing. These features are usually triggered by landing three or more Scatter or Bonus symbols on the reels.