A narrow notch or other opening, as a keyway in a piece of machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also: a position in a group, series, sequence, or order; an assigned place or time.

An authorization to take off or land at a busy airport during a specified time period, granted by an air traffic controller:

In slot games, players insert cash or, in ticket-in, ticket-out machines, paper tickets with barcodes, into a slot on the machine and activate it by pushing a lever or button (either physical or virtual). The reels then spin and stop to rearrange symbols; winning combinations earn credits based on the paytable. Symbols vary by game, but classic examples include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens.

Unlike casino games, where the odds of hitting a jackpot are determined by the number of symbols that appear on a single reel, microprocessors inside modern slot machines can assign different probability weightings to each symbol on each of the machine’s multiple reels. This can create the illusion that a particular symbol is “so close” to a winning combination, when in reality the chances of hitting it are significantly lower.

Playing slots can be highly addictive and if you’re not careful, it can lead to problem gambling. If you’re having trouble controlling your spending, consider talking to a professional. If you’re ready to try playing for real money, you can find many top-rated casinos that offer a wide selection of slot games.