A narrow opening, usually vertical, into which something can fit. Also: A position in a group, series, sequence, or hierarchy. (Etymology: from Old English sceole, from skew or slit).

A slot is also the term for a receptacle for coins in a slot machine. A person inserts cash, or in the case of “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode, into a slot on the machine. The reels then spin and, if a winning combination is displayed, the player earns credits according to the paytable. Symbols vary depending on the game, but classic symbols include bells, fruits, and stylized lucky sevens.

Regardless of the theme, most slot games have a similar structure. The player must first decide how many paylines to activate, as this will determine what each spin wins and whether a bonus feature is triggered. Typically, a slot with more paylines offers higher payouts than one with fewer. Bonus features may include a jackpot, free spins, or a mini-game.