A slot is a space for a card or coin to be inserted into a machine. It could be on the top, bottom or side of a machine and may have a specific name or design for what it is meant to hold.
The Lights, Sounds and Designs of a Slot
A lot goes into the overall look and feel of a slot machine in order to entice players to try it out and stick around as long as possible (time is money). From the lights to the sounds to how the machines are arranged on the floor, all are designed with years of marketing experience behind them.
Modern slot machines use random number generators to pick a sequence of symbols that stop on the reels in each spin. Computer chips record a number each millisecond, then randomly select three of these numbers and find their corresponding reel location. The reels then stop at these placements and the symbols on the payline will determine if it was a winning spin or not.
The slot rules vary between different types of slots, so it is important to read the help information and pay table for each game you play. These tables will normally include a percentage showing what percentage of the money put into the slot is returned to players. They will also list the bonus features and how they are triggered. These tables can be presented in a variety of ways and often feature colorful graphics to make them easier to read.