Although the theme and betting limits usually vary, the objective of all slots machines is the same.  To win, a player must get three or more matching symbols in a line or winning pattern.

To start playing the slots it’s usually required that the player deposits a coin into the machine, or clicks on the button to add credit to the machine from a player account or from the players credit on the machine.  Then, the player is required to pull a lever or click the appropriate button to get the wheels spinning.  Once the wheels come to rest the player hopes that the symbols match on all of the wheels to form a line or winning pattern.

Slots payouts change from machine to machine and from symbol to symbol, however most machines have a payout table listed on the machine or player screen.  Slots prizes usually increase in correlation with the deposit amount, therefor a player that deposits $1 into a machine will win more than a player that only deposits $0.25, assuming that both players hit the same line.  Note: most slot machines these days allow players to bet on more than just one line.

Many slot machines also offer a progressive jackpot.  The progressive jackpot increases as more and more people play on the machine.  Many progressive slots are also linked to a number of different machines which usually provides for larger and faster growing jackpots.  It is not uncommon for some progressive slots jackpots to be worth millions of dollars.