A narrow opening, especially one for receiving something, as a coin or a letter. Also called a slit, groove, vent, or aperture.

Sports A position on a team’s roster, especially at a professional level. Often used to denote an offensive position, such as wide receiver or cornerback. A slot player runs shorter routes on the route tree, such as slants or quick outs, and can stretch defenses with their speed. Compared to boundary receivers, who run longer routes, slot players are considered more valuable.

In a casino, a machine that accepts cash or paper tickets with barcodes (in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines). The player inserts the ticket into a slot and activates it by pressing a lever or button (either physical or on a touchscreen), which spins the reels and stops them to rearrange symbols. If the player matches a winning combination, they earn credits based on a paytable. Most slot games have a theme, and the symbols and bonus features are aligned with that theme.

In addition to a payout table, a slot may also display a payline map. This displays how the various combinations of symbols have to land in order to win, and it is useful for understanding how a slot game works. The map is usually presented as a small table with brightly colored columns and rows that make it easier to read. A slot’s paylines are typically displayed as horizontal lines, but some slots have multiple paylines that allow for more potential winning combinations.