A position in a group, series, or sequence. Also: a place, time, or opportunity. The crew waited for their slot to take off.

A machine that pays out winning combinations if symbols lined up on the pay line of the machine. In addition to traditional card symbols such as Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10, most slots also include special icons – often themed to the game’s theme or subject. These may include Wild symbols that substitute for other symbols, scatter symbols that do not need to appear on an active payline to win, and bonus symbols that trigger specific extra games.

In the old days, people pulled a handle and either won or lost; today’s machines are far more sophisticated. For example, a computerized slot can display up to 200 different lines of action at once, each with a chance of hitting a winning combination.

A slot is a small area or opening in something, usually used for receiving and passing things. A slot is also a way of organizing or scheduling work, using fixed periods of time to accomplish tasks. For instance, a team could use a project management tool that includes slots for meetings and other activities, helping them meet important deadlines. This approach to planning can help avoid overlapping events, which can cause confusion and delay progress. It can also improve collaboration and communication between teams. The use of central flow management, with slots to schedule flights, has resulted in huge savings for airlines and customers, as well as major environmental benefits.