A slot is a narrow opening in something, such as a machine or container. It is usually used for coins or similar items, and can also be used to hold a card or other item.

It never ceases to amaze us how many players plunge right into playing an online slot without even looking at the pay table first. It is really important to read this as it will tell you what symbols are available, how much they can win if you land three, four or five of them on a payline, and any bonus features.

The pay table is normally found by clicking an icon close to the bottom of the game screen. It will then open a window that explains all of this information. It is a very easy and quick process to do. In fact, we recommend that you always do this before you start to play.

There are all sorts of different types of slots to choose from these days, some following a theme like movies or TV shows, whilst others are more conventional with cherries, lemons and number sevens on the reels. You will also find games with extra features such as Megaways, re-spins and sticky wilds.

Each slot has a candle on the top of it, which lights up in specific patterns to indicate things such as service needed, jackpot, door not secure, etc. In addition, there are a number of symbols on the top of each machine that represent specific denominations. This makes them easy to recognise, even for a novice.