Slot is an opening or groove in something, a place where a thing fits, as in a door, a car seat belt or the space on a computer motherboard for an expansion card. It also refers to a position in a program, schedule or activity.

To play a slot machine, a person inserts cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a designated slot on the machine. Then, the machine activates by means of a lever or button (physical or virtual) that spins the reels and displays symbols. The player can then match combinations of symbols to earn credits according to a pay table. The symbols vary depending on the theme of the slot.

There is no skill element to slot games, but players can use strategies and practice to improve their chances of winning. To maximize their chances of success, they should always read the paytable before playing. This will tell them the payout amounts for various combinations of symbols, as well as any caps a casino may put on jackpots.

In hockey, the area directly in front of the goaltender and between the face-off circles is called the slot. It can be a very important position to occupy in a game, as the best players know exactly how to get there and take advantage of it. Similarly, air traffic control uses slots to manage flow and congestion at airports. This has led to major efficiency gains and significant cost savings.