A slot is an opening, groove or slit that receives something, such as a coin or a letter. It can also be a position within a series or sequence, such as a job or a seat on a train.
In computer science, a slot (plural: slots) is an area on a motherboard that can be used to accommodate expansion cards. These include PCI, ISA, and AGP slots. Some modern motherboards also have built-in expansion slots.
The term “slot” is also used for the gap between the faces-off circles on an ice hockey rink. In football, tight ends and speedy wide receivers often line up in the slot position. The slot receiver runs precise routes and blocks outside linebackers, while the flanker lines up wider to receive the ball.
When a player inserts coins into an online slot machine and presses the spin button, digital reels with symbols rotate repeatedly until they stop. The resulting combinations determine whether and how much the player wins.
Many online slots offer multiple paylines, but some have a fixed number that cannot be changed. The pay table for a slot describes the possible payouts and their frequencies. Players can compare these odds to determine if the game is worth playing. In addition, players can set a loss limit when playing slots so that they don’t lose too much money. For example, a player may decide that they will stop once they have lost 20% of their bankroll.