What Is a Slot?
A slot is a narrow aperture or groove. A slot can also be a position, as in “I’m in the slot,” or “we’re in the slot.”
In the context of air traffic coordination, a slot is an authorization to take-off or land at a particular airport on a specified day and time during a specified period. This is a tool used in the United States and around the world to manage flight operations at very busy airports, avoiding repeated delays caused by too many flights trying to take off or land at the same time.
A machine’s payouts, play lines, bonus games and other features can be found in the pay table. Typically, this will be displayed above the reels or on the screen (for video slots). It’s recommended that players check out the pay table before playing any machine to ensure they are clear about how the game works and what their odds of winning are.
Some people believe that a machine that hasn’t paid out for a long time is due to hit soon. This is not true. The random number generator controls the outcome of each spin and there is no way to know in advance which combination will result in a payout.
A light on top of a slot machine that shows the denomination and other information to casino employees. Generally, this will flash in specific patterns to indicate service needed, jackpot, door not secure and other functions.