A narrow notch, groove, or opening, as in a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also: a position in a group, series, or sequence; a job opening or assignment. From Middle Low German slot, from Proto-Germanic *sluta (cf. Dutch slot and German Schloss).

In gambling, a slot is a position on a reel where a symbol must appear to win. The number of possible combinations, known as stops on a slot, varies from game to game. Manufacturers may weight symbols based on their popularity or how often they hit the jackpot. In modern electronic slot machines, microprocessors allow manufacturers to increase the number of symbols per reel and increase the likelihood of hitting them.

One of the most important slot tips is to read the paytable before you play. It will help you understand the game better and give you an idea of how much you could win if you hit a specific combination of symbols. Reading the pay table will also make you aware of any side bets and bonus features that are available on a particular slot machine.

The term “slot” can also refer to an authorization to take off or land at a busy airport. The United States and other countries use slots to prevent repeated delays caused by too many planes trying to fly at the same time. This type of capacity is known as a slot allocation and is reported in the Execution Report.