A narrow notch, groove or opening, such as a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also: a position, as in the job of chief copy editor of a newspaper.
From Middle Low German slott, from Proto-Germanic *sleutana (compare Dutch slit, Swedish slottet).
In modern casino slots, the microprocessors inside machines allow manufacturers to assign different probabilities to each symbol on every reel. This gives the illusion that one particular symbol might be just about due to hit. But it’s important to remember that a single machine goes through thousands of possible combinations per second, and the odds of hitting a specific combination in the same split-second as another player are astronomically minute.
Most casinos publish their payout percentages for each of the slot machines they offer. This information can help you choose which machines to play, although luck will still play a big role in your overall results. The best strategy is to pick a machine you enjoy, whether it’s simple with a single payout line or more complex with bonus features and scatter pays.
Some slots have a HELP or INFO button that will tell you how much each spin pays out and what the jackpot is. This is a good place to start if you’re new to slots, or if you’re just curious about the different pay lines, symbols and other details that make up a given game. But it’s not a substitute for reading the machine’s pay table, which will give you more detailed information on symbols, payouts and bonus features.