A narrow opening, groove, notch, slit, or aperture, as in a door or window. Also used figuratively of a position in a group, series, or sequence: He slotted himself into the chair. The calendar showed a free time slot for our meeting.
In football, the position of a wide receiver that lines up on the outside of the formation, just behind the tight end and inside the H-back. Slot receivers are typically smaller and quicker than traditional wide receivers. They can run more complex routes and are especially good at eluding tackles with speed and agility. Increasingly, teams are using more slot receivers to offset the slower, bigger, and stronger traditional wide receivers.
A slot machine is a gambling device that uses reels and paylines to produce combinations of symbols that trigger a bonus game or payout. The games are often themed after popular movies, television shows, or other entertainment properties and can be found in casinos, arcades, and some bars and restaurants. Some have a progressive jackpot, which grows over time until the player hits it. Other slots allow players to choose from different paytables, each with a different set of symbols and varying prize amounts.
Some slot games have a maximum number of spins that can be made before the bonus round is triggered. This limit, known as the tenjo, is intended to tease the gambler by showing how close they are to unlocking a big payout. Some people believe that there is a certain strategy to playing slots, but in reality luck is the primary factor.