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A lo mejor la llave está en ese hueco o en la ranura.

A lo mejor la llave está en ese hueco o en la ranura.
Maybe the key is in that hole or in the slot.
From Lesson 416:Probability (a lo mejor)·Spanish (Latin America)

Questions & Answers about A lo mejor la llave está en ese hueco o en la ranura.

Why does a lo mejor use the indicative está instead of the subjunctive here, since it expresses probability?
In Spanish, a few probability phrases strictly take the indicative. A lo mejor is a major exception to the general rule that doubt requires the subjunctive. Even though it means 'maybe' or 'perhaps', you will always follow it with the indicative, which is exactly why we use está here.
Could I substitute tal vez or quizás for a lo mejor in this sentence?
Yes, but the grammar options would expand. If you use tal vez or quizás, you can use either the indicative (está) or the subjunctive (esté) depending on your level of certainty. With a lo mejor, you are forced to use the indicative.
What is the exact difference between a hueco and a ranura?
Hueco is a broad word for a gap, hollow space, or hole. A ranura specifically refers to a slot, groove, or narrow slit (like a keyhole or a coin slot). The speaker is suggesting they check both a generic gap and the actual key slot.
Why do we use ese hueco instead of aquel hueco?
Using ese (that) indicates the hole is at a medium distance, perhaps closer to the listener than the speaker. If the hole were far away from both the speaker and the listener, you would use aquel (that one over there).

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