When you play a slot machine, your chances of winning are completely dependent on chance. The UK Gambling Commission states that a random number generator controls the machines, and they can’t be altered to payout more at certain times of the day or to favour specific symbols. Although many people believe that slots pay better at night, this is actually because there are more players playing them then and it’s just a statistical coincidence.

If you want to win, then the best thing is to stick to non-progressive slots. They will always have a fixed jackpot that you can win, and they won’t increase or decrease in value until someone wins them.

Another aspect to consider when choosing a slot machine is its pay table, which is an explanation of how much you can win and how to get there. It will usually show the minimum and maximum amount you can bet, and how to activate any bonus features. It may also explain the pay lines, which are the patterns that match symbols must line up in to make a winning combination.

The original pay tables were printed directly on the slot machine, but nowadays they’re generally embedded into the help screens on digital games. Some machines even have a mini-version of the pay table on the screen above the reels, which can be a useful reminder to read it before you spin! In some cases, the pay tables are more detailed and have graphically-rich tables with different colours to make them easier to read.