You’ve checked in, made it through security, found your gate, queued to get on board, struggled with the overhead lockers and settled back into your seat. And then, you hear the captain say, “We’re waiting on a slot.” But what is a slot? And why can’t you take off as soon as you’re ready?
The first thing to remember about slots is that they’re not like other casino games. They don’t have a fixed outcome for each spin; instead, the computer generates numbers within a massive spectrum to decide on the results of each spin. These numbers are then mapped to a specific reel location, and the computer causes the reels to stop at those placements.
In addition, the odds of a specific reel stopping at a particular position depend on the pay table and any special features (such as wild symbols, scatter wins or varying payout multipliers). A slot can also be configured to pay both ways or allow adjacent pays, boosting its max win potential even more.
Another key tip is to size your bets compared to your bankroll. This helps you avoid betting more than your bankroll can afford and reduce the risk of losing too much money in a short period of time. It’s also important to know when to walk away. If you’re losing, it’s best to just quit—especially since the chances of hitting a jackpot again anytime soon are practically zero.