A narrow opening, hole, or groove, usually in the form of a slit. The opening into which a bolt or other fastener is inserted or fitted. A space in which a coin or other object may be dropped. (also called slot) A device or position where something can be placed, especially in a machine. The place in a computer on which a file or program is installed.

A game in which players try to line up symbols along pay lines. Slot machines have been around since the 19th century and continue to be popular. They can be found in casinos and other gambling establishments as well as in homes, where people play them on the Internet.

The term also refers to a time period when a plane is allowed to take off or land at a busy airport. Air traffic controllers use slots to manage the flow of airplanes and avoid repeated delays caused by too many flights trying to take off or land at the same time.

A slot is determined by a random number generator in the machine. The computer runs dozens of combinations each second, and when it receives a signal — anything from the button being pressed to the handle being pulled — it sets a number. The reels then stop at the corresponding combination. If a paying symbol is on the same reel as a blank spot, the player has a good chance of winning. This effect is also seen in video games.