A narrow opening in a machine or container, such as a slot for coins. Also: A position in a group, series, sequence, etc.
In a casino, slot refers to the place where you insert your cash or paper tickets with barcodes (in “ticket in, ticket out” machines). Then, when you activate a machine by pressing a lever or button, reels spin and stop to arrange symbols that match up along what’s called a pay line. Depending on the game, you may win credits based on how many matching symbols you land on a single spin. Different machines have different pay tables, and symbols vary.
One popular superstition about slots is that a machine that has gone long without winning is due to hit soon. But this belief has no basis in fact. Instead, the next spin will be completely random and could well result in another losing streak. It’s no coincidence that casinos place the “hot” machines at the ends of aisles—they want other players to see them, but if you follow this strategy, you’ll quickly run out of money.
In air travel, the term slot refers to the time period during which a plane is allowed to take off or land at an airport. Airlines must apply for slots, and the airline that wins the slot gets a certain number of takeoffs or landings on that day. The system helps keep aircraft movements spaced out so that air traffic controllers can manage the flow of flights safely and effectively.
