When you play slot, you’re wagering money on a series of numbers. The more of these numbers you match, the higher your prize. Some slots have progressive jackpots that increase in size as you play, while others have fixed payouts based on the number of matching symbols. You can learn more about slot by reading the pay table, which is a document that provides detailed information about the game’s symbols and winning combinations.

One of the most common myths about slot is that a machine that hasn’t paid off recently is “due.” It’s true that casinos want to place their best machines in high traffic areas so that other players will keep playing them, but it’s also true that slots are randomized and that you can’t make a machine do what you want.

Besides the pay table, a slot may have a variety of bonus features. Many of these are tied to a particular symbol or theme, and some have interactive elements like cascading symbols and sticky wilds. Some of these features can add a whole new dimension to a slot, making it even more exciting to play.

Another important thing to understand about slot is that it can be a bit complicated to get your head around all the different symbols and pay lines. Fortunately, there are information tables known as pay tables that help explain all of this to you in an easy-to-read way. These often feature colourful graphics to make the information easier to read and understand.