It never fails to amaze us when players dive straight into playing an online slot without checking out its pay table first. Essentially, a slot’s pay table is an information table that explains how a particular game works and reveals all the symbols it uses, payouts and jackpot details. These tables can usually be accessed via an icon near the bottom of the game screen and are often displayed as small tables with bright colours to make them easier to read.

In addition to these pay tables, you can find information about specific bonus features of a slot such as free spins, sticky wilds and cascading symbols, or even the rules of a special bonus feature such as a Megaways game. This can help you understand what to expect from a particular slot so that you are more confident in playing it and can maximize your chances of winning.

It’s also worth remembering that while there are some superstitions or ideologies about slots such as the belief that a machine is “hot” or “due” for a win, this really has nothing to do with luck and more to do with money management. By sticking to a budget and cashing out when you’ve reached your limit, you can avoid putting too much of your bankroll at risk of losing. This is particularly important if you’re attempting to play for progressive jackpots as these are based on the percentage of your overall wager that is funnelled into the prize.