A slot is a narrow opening, or a position in a sequence or series of events (such as a time slot on a calendar). In computer hardware and software, a slot is a mechanism for adding expansion cards to a motherboard. The term is also used as a metaphor for a place where something fits, such as the gap between face-off circles on an ice hockey rink.
A slot can be created by cutting or machining a piece of material, or by creating a space in an existing object. In some contexts, the word is also used as a verb, meaning to put something into its proper place, such as a hole in the side of a ship or a doorway.
In a casino, a slot is a machine that accepts cash or paper tickets with barcodes as payment for credits issued by the casino. It may also be an electronic gaming device that displays reels and pays out winning combinations based on the paytable. Slot machines have various themes and symbols, but classic icons include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens.
There are many strategies for playing slots, including moving on to another machine after a certain amount of time or after making multiple large payouts (under the assumption that the machine will tighten up). However, all results are random and past spins have no bearing on future ones. This article discusses slot strategy in general and includes a list of popular slots that feature wilds and bonus levels.