A narrow opening or slit, especially one for receiving something, as a coin or letter. Also: a position, time, or space in a series or sequence; an assignment, berth, or billet. (From Middle Low German slot, from Old High German schot; see spot, slit, hole, and slot in the sense of position.)

The slot in which a coin is dropped in a vending machine.

In computer programming, a slot is a position in a control structure. Often slots are used to control the flow of data to and from memory. They are also used to control the timing of operations and to manage memory usage.

When playing online slot, always check the pay table before you start to play. It can contain a wealth of information, including the symbols in the slot, the pay lines, and the different winning combinations. The pay tables may be shown as small tables with bright colours to help you distinguish between the different combinations.

Unless you’re a high roller, it’s generally best to stick to non-progressive slots when playing for real money. This will allow you to protect your bankroll, while still allowing you to go after a few moderate-size wins. It’s important to decide on a budget before you play and to stick to it. If you want to try a progressive slot, be sure to read the jackpot rules carefully. This will tell you if you can win the jackpot with a minimum bet, and what you need to do to unlock bonus features.