A narrow notch or opening, especially one in a door or wall. Also: the time or place for an aircraft to take off or land, as authorized by an airport or air-traffic authority.

In football, a wide receiver who lines up in the slot, between and slightly behind the outer wide receivers and offensive linemen. Also known as a “slotback.”

Traditionally, slot receivers were larger and bulkier than other wide receivers in order to help them block and escape from tacklers. However, in recent years, teams have begun to emphasize speed and agility over size when selecting slot receivers.

Slot receivers must be able to run routes that align with the rest of the offense’s formation, and they are often asked to act as a decoy on running plays such as sweeps and slants. They are also critical to the success of pitch plays and end-arounds, as they must be able to position themselves effectively to avoid getting hit by defenders coming from different angles.

A slit or hole in a machine, container, or other structure, usually used to insert coins or other objects for payment; also: the part of a computer that holds the hard disk drive. To place (something) into a slot or hole: She slipped the CD into the slot of the CD player. The new motherboard slots into the chassis easily.

An airport tarmac space allocated for a specific airline for take-offs and landings at particular times, as determined by an air-traffic control system. A slot is valuable, and may be sold or traded to other airlines.

The slot on a machine or device that holds the coin or paper ticket used to make a bet. Also, a set of reels that spin when a button is pressed, or a game that uses the same technology.

a slot in a video game that allows players to collect multiple rewards, such as free spins or extra lives. These can be worth much more than the initial bet.

To play a slot machine. Casino floors are crowded with towering machines that flash bright lights, blare loud music, and offer various themes. Some have a progressive jackpot that grows with each wager until a lucky player hits it. Other machines require players to place a minimum bet before paying out winnings. Whatever type of slot you choose, be sure to read its pay table and rules carefully before placing a bet. This will let you know the payout schedule, which symbols are eligible for the big prizes, and any caps a casino might put on a jackpot amount. Also, be sure to pick machines based on what you like to increase your enjoyment. Remember that luck plays a significant role in slot success, but learning as much as you can about the game will help you maximize your potential for winning.