Whether you’re an experienced slot player or just starting out, understanding how pay lines work can make your game more enjoyable. A pay line is a specific pattern of symbols that must align in order to win. Whether they run horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or in a zigzag pattern, these lines are what determine payouts and can unlock special bonus levels.
Unlike electromechanical machines that worked on gears, modern slots use computers to control each spin. Players insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes into a designated slot to activate the machine. Once the machine reads a valid ticket, it will spin the reels and when the symbols come to a stop, if any are in a winning combination, the machine will pay out credits according to its pay table.
The pay table is listed on the front of the machine, either above or below the spinning reels. It lists the number of credits a player will earn if symbols on the pay line match those listed in the machine’s specific theme. Modern video slots also offer a wide variety of additional features that can trigger mini-games or large payouts when certain symbol combinations align. Having an understanding of how these additional features work can help you make smarter decisions about how much to bet per spin.
A common type of slot is a progressive machine that links to other machines in the same location, creating a shared jackpot that grows with each coin played. These games are popular for their high potential payouts and the opportunity to enter bonus levels.