The lights, the sounds and even the location of a slot machine are designed to entice you to try it out and play at it for as long as possible (time is money). Every single aspect of the slot’s design has been carefully crafted with years of research into what makes people want to play them.

The pay table is one of the most important things to look at before you play a new slot game. It displays the regular paying symbols in the slot, alongside their payout values. It will also display how many pay lines the slot has and how they work. If the slot has any bonus features, the pay table will tell you how to trigger these and what they entail.

Another important part of the pay table is how much you can bet on each spin. Many online slots have multiple betting options, from a low minimum to a high maximum. The pay table will explain how these bets work and how to change your stake at any time during a game.

It never ceases to amaze us how many players plunge straight into playing a slot without checking out the pay table. It’s a quick and easy way to understand the game mechanics before you start spinning those reels. Plus, the pay tables often feature bright colours and graphics to make them easier to read.