A slot is a narrow opening, usually vertical or horizontal, into which something may be inserted. It is also a position, as in the eight-o’clock slot of a television program.

A pay table is an essential tool for slot players, illustrating how different winning combinations result in payouts and the odds of hitting them. It can also help explain symbols, scatter pays, bonus features and other aspects of a slot’s game play. Pay tables are sometimes included in the machine’s display or integrated into its touch screen, especially for online slots.

The pay table explains how much your spins will cost and how many paylines to bet on. It also lists the prizes and what bet sizes correspond to each prize. While it’s true that a higher number of paylines increases your chances for a payout, it can also increase your risk, so players must weigh their financial capacity against their tolerance for risk. If you’re playing a video slot, a pay table might even include information on the game’s features, such as how to activate its mini-games or collect its special symbols.