A slot is a vertically placed row of symbols that spin after a lever has been pulled or a bet has been made. If the symbols land in a winning position, a payout will occur. A player can then take the payout or gamble it on a double-or-nothing “side game.”
A pay table provides an overview of how slot machines payout on different combinations of symbols. It is a vital reference tool to have when playing slot machines, whether online or in person. The table typically features rows and columns with varying combination of symbols, with the highest payouts at the top and lowest combinations at the bottom. It also displays the various bonus features and symbols that may be used in a slot machine.
Modern slot machines use random number generators to determine a player’s odds of winning. In addition, the microprocessors inside allow manufacturers to assign different probabilities for each symbol on each reel, allowing some symbols to appear very close to a winning combination, while others appear much farther apart.
The first electromechanical slot machine was developed by Bally in 1963. It was called Money Honey and had a topless hopper and automatic payout of up to 500 coins without an attendant. It was the precursor to today’s electronic games, and the side lever soon became vestigial.
