In a slot game, players spin the reels to try to line up symbols. The more symbols that land in a winning combination, the larger the payout. Different slot games have varying odds, but all are based on probability and random number generators. Players insert cash or, in the case of “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes, into a designated slot on the machine. Then they activate the machine by pressing a button (physical or virtual on a touchscreen) or, in old-school slot machines, a lever. The reels then stop and rearrange themselves to display new symbols. Depending on the game, the symbols vary from classic objects like fruit and bells to stylized lucky sevens.
Each time a player presses the spin button, the random number generator selects a series of numbers that correspond to positions on the machine’s reels. The machine then checks to see if those numbers match up with the symbols listed in its pay table. If they do, the machine awards a payout based on the amount of money the player has bet.
Generally, the pay table is located on the left side of a slot’s screen and displays all of the regular paying symbols, alongside their payout values. It will also show if the slot has any bonus features and explain how these work, such as how to trigger them and what they entail. This makes it easy for new players to learn the rules of a slot game.