A slot is a narrow notch, groove or opening, such as one used to hold coins in a machine. A slot can also be a period of time reserved for an activity, as in We booked a slot on the schedule. A slot can also refer to a position, as in He has the slot as chief copy editor. In hockey, the area directly in front of the goaltender and between the face-off circles is called the slot, because it offers wingers and centers a good chance to make a wrist shot without being deflected.

In computerized slot machines, multiple lines may be active at once and symbols can run up, down, sideways or diagonally. When a winning combination of symbols appears, the player receives credits according to the pay table displayed on the machine. The payout amounts and symbols vary by game, but classic symbols include fruits, bells and stylized lucky sevens. Most slot games have a theme, and the symbols and bonus features are aligned with that theme.

Players can insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into the slot to activate the machine. The reels then spin and stop to rearrange the symbols. When the symbols match a winning combination on the pay table, the player earns credits according to the amount wagered. A slot can also contain wild symbols that substitute for other symbols to form a winning line.