A slot is a narrow opening into which something can be fitted. A slot machine is a gambling machine that accepts cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes. When activated, the machine displays a series of digital reels with symbols and pays out credits according to the combinations displayed on the paytable. In addition to the regular paying symbols, many slot games have bonus features and rules that can influence how often and how much a player wins. Bonus features include free spins, scatter symbols, sticky wilds, re-spins, and more. A slot’s theme and bonus features usually reflect its overall design.
In football, a slot receiver is a player who runs shorter routes on the route tree such as slants and quick outs. These players are typically faster than boundary receivers and can stretch defenses with their speed.
A slot is also a term used in air traffic management to refer to a time period during which an airport can accommodate a limited number of aircraft. Airlines can wait for a slot when they are constrained by runway or parking space or, as is common in Europe, by congestion caused by EUROCONTROL’s Air Traffic Management (ATM) system. Waiting for a slot saves airlines the cost of consuming unnecessary fuel and allows them to avoid delays and congestion. It is a key component of the EUROCONTROL network management strategy to reduce air traffic disruptions.