A slot is a narrow opening, usually a rectangular one, in which something fits, such as a coin or letter. It can also refer to a position within a group, sequence, or series.
In a slot machine, players insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a designated slot and then activate the machine by pressing a lever or button (either physical or on a touchscreen). The reels spin and, if winning combinations are hit, credits are paid out based on the paytable. The symbols used in a slot game vary from machine to machine, but classic examples include stylized fruit and bells. Most slots have a theme, and bonus features are often aligned with that theme.
Some modern slot machines have multiple reels and a paytable that shows the odds of hitting specific symbols. In addition, they have microprocessors that allow manufacturers to weight particular symbols in different ways. This can make a particular symbol appear to have high frequencies on a given reel, even though the probability of hitting it is much lower than that of other symbols on the same reel.
A slot in a game of field hockey or ice hockey is the rectangular area directly in front of the net, between the last offensive lineman on either side and the wide receiver on that same side. It is a position that requires speed and the ability to run short routes on the route tree, such as slants and quick outs.