A narrow, elongated depression or groove, notch, or aperture, especially one providing access or admittance: a door slot; a mail slot; a window slot. Also, in linguistics, the position of a word or phrase in a construction; a tagmemic slot.
Casino game involving spinning reels and a payline, with symbols lined up to win credits based on the payout table. These games come in various themes and complexities, from classic three-reel slots to modern video slots with multiple paylines and bonus features.
In a sense, the slot world really started to change in 1964 when Bally released the first electromechanical slot machine to use a 19-inch television as its display. This allowed for a much more immersive experience, and the use of video graphics to show the results of each spin – rather than just a simple counter in the cabinet.
The most obvious change to slots came when they became computerised, allowing manufacturers to alter the probability of winning by changing the weighting of each reel. This has the effect of making a certain symbol appear more frequently on the first two or three reels, and then becoming less likely to land on the next – creating that “near miss” feeling so many players find annoying.
Another important change came when airlines were given “slots” at airports, giving them permission to operate at certain times. This allowed for more efficient flow of traffic and reduced waiting time for passengers.