A narrow notch or opening, as in a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also: a position or place in a schedule or list; the spot at a newspaper where the chief sub-editor works. The term slot is also used of a space in the shape of a car’s tailgate into which a cargo strap can be fitted.

In a slot game, players insert cash or, in the case of “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes, and then activate the reels by pushing a lever or button (physical or virtual). The reels then stop spinning and, if a matching combination of symbols is found, the player wins credits based on the paytable. Symbols vary, but classics include fruits, bells and stylized lucky sevens. Most slot games have a theme, with the pay table and symbols aligning with that theme.

When playing online slots, it’s important to read the pay table carefully. This will give you an idea of the different symbols and how much you can win by landing them on a winning pay line. It also explains the rules of the game, such as how many paylines it has and what combinations are needed to form a win. Pay tables are often designed to be visually appealing, so they’re easy to understand. Some even have animations that can help you grasp the information faster. These animations can be particularly useful if you’re new to the world of slot games.