A slot is a narrow opening, like a slit for a coin in a vending machine or a time slot on a calendar. A slot is also a position within a group, series, or sequence. The verb to slot is to place something snugly into a slot, as in “the car seat belt slots easily into its slot.” The etymology of the word is unclear; it may be from an Old English term meaning “groove or channel,” but the more likely derivation is from the Middle Dutch word slotte, related to the Germanic words schlag-, schlot-, and schloss “bolt, lock, gate.”

A slot on a computer motherboard provides expansion capabilities, usually for video cards. It can also be used for memory cards or other peripheral devices. The slots are usually lined up in rows on the motherboard and are labeled with a letter, such as AGP, ISA, or RAM. The letters identify which types of cards can be installed in each slot, but it is important to check the motherboard documentation for specifics.

The pay table of a slot gacor  machine is a list of the possible winning combinations, the odds of hitting those combinations, and other information about the game. It is typically displayed on a separate screen from the reels. In addition to the pay table, some slots feature special bonus rounds that give players additional chances to win prizes.

In addition to describing the payout possibilities, the pay table of a slot machine will often describe how much a player can bet and the minimum and maximum stakes. It can also include a breakdown of how many symbols are on each reel, the number of paylines, and other relevant details.

Before you start playing a slot machine, it is important to understand how to read the pay table. This will help you make more informed decisions about how much to bet and when to stop betting. It is also a good idea to test out the machine before you play it for real money. Put in a few dollars and see how long it takes for you to break even. If the machine is not giving you a fair return, it is probably best to move on. However, if you are lucky enough to hit a big jackpot, be sure to keep playing! Otherwise, you could end up losing all your money!