A slot is a narrow notch, groove, or opening, such as a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. A position in a group, series, or sequence; an assignment or job opening. The word comes from Middle Low German slit, from Proto-Germanic sleutana (“to lock”), and is cognate with Dutch sleutel (“door bolt”).

Casinos use slots to activate games for bettors. Players insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes, into the slot to begin play. The reels then spin and stop to rearrange symbols according to a paytable. When a winning combination appears, the player earns credits based on the payout schedule and any bonus rounds. Many slots have a specific theme, with classic symbols including fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens.

Slot is a gambling game that can be very easy to learn and master, especially if you pick the right machines. However, remember that luck plays a big role in your success. Pick machines that you enjoy and don’t be afraid to try out different ones – the odds are not going to be significantly better on one type of machine than another.

Airline traffic managers often assign slots to flights at busy airports, to prevent excessive delays caused by too many planes trying to take off or land simultaneously. Since the introduction of central flow management at European airports, the use of slots has become widespread and is expected to be even more widely adopted worldwide.