a narrow notch, groove, or opening, as in a keyway in a lock or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also: a position in a group, series, sequence, etc.; a place in a line or column. The slot in the middle of a copy desk at a newspaper is reserved for the chief sub-editor. See also berth, billet, niche, position, spot, window.
In computer programming, a slot is a dynamic placeholder that waits for or calls out for content to be added to it (a scenario or renderer). A slots container acts like a dynamic item in a page and can be either a passthrough or an active slot.
Slots are a type of mechanical gambling device that spin reels and display symbols on them. They are operated by a lever or button (either physical or on a touchscreen) which activates them to rearrange the symbols and potentially payout credits according to a paytable. The symbols vary from machine to machine, but classics include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens. Most slot games have a theme, and the symbols and bonus features are designed to fit that theme.
A slot’s pay table displays the regular symbols in the game, their payout values, and how many of each symbol needs to appear on a winning combination to trigger a prize. It also highlights any special symbols and how to trigger them, if applicable. In addition, some slot machines have a help or info button that will walk players through the different paylines, jackpots, and bonus features. This is particularly helpful for newcomers to the world of online slots.