We’ve all been there: You check in, get through security, make your way to the gate, wait to board, struggle with your overhead locker and settle into your seat. Then the captain says, “We’re waiting for a slot.” But what is a slot and why can’t you take off as soon as you are ready?

Historically, when punters played slots they had to keep track of only a few paylines and symbols. But as online slots have evolved and developers introduced a variety of bonuses, the pay tables have become more complicated to navigate. This is especially true for video slots, where it’s easy to lose track of how all the elements relate.

To help players keep track of what they need to know, most online slots have a detailed pay table that displays the symbols, payouts, prizes and jackpots for each game. You can find the pay table for a specific slot machine by clicking on the information tab or help button in the main window of the game. In some cases, you may need to scroll down to see all the details if the pay table isn’t split up into different slides.

If you want to win at slots, it’s important to choose a game with the right variance. The variance, which is also known as risk, determines the odds of winning for each spin. A higher variance means you’re less likely to win, but when you do it’ll be for larger amounts. A low variance will give you a greater chance to win, but the wins will be smaller.