1. a narrow opening, gap, or hole, as in a door or window; slit
2. a position, berth, or slot for something, as in a ship’s stowage or a job or assignment
In a computer, a slot is an area on a motherboard into which a particular type of expansion card can be inserted. A motherboard may have several slots, each of which can hold a different type of card. (Computer)
3. a slot in an online casino game
A slot is a machine that generates a series of random numbers, usually based on the theme and style of the game. It can take cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode to activate the reels. Once activated, the reels spin and, if they match a winning combination, award credits according to a paytable. Depending on the theme, symbols may include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens.
A slot’s pay table shows how much the player can expect to win if symbols line up on the paylines. It also lists special symbols, such as wilds and scatters, and their payouts. The slot’s RTP percentage, which is the theoretical return to the player over the long term, is often displayed on the pay table as well. The slot’s POP (probability of a hit) and jackpot frequencies are also listed on the pay table. Industry experts argue that increased hold degrades the experience of slot players, by decreasing their time on the machines.
