Slot – A Position in a Group, Series, Sequence Or Hierarchy

A position in a group, series, sequence or hierarchy. Also: a slot machine or fruit machine (or poker machine in some areas).

In computer science, a slot is an opening in a PC motherboard into which a printed circuit board can be inserted. A slot is different from a bay, which is a site within the computer into which a disk drive can be installed.

The word slot was first used in the sense of a narrow opening into which something can be fitted, as in “A coin slot in a door.” The meaning expanded to the position in a group or series or the place in a sequence, and finally to the place in an assembly. In football, a slotback is a receiver who lines up closer to the quarterback than the wide receivers. The position became popular in the NFL as the league moved to a more pass-heavy offense. Players such as Darren Sproles and Larry Fitzgerald have excelled at the position.

A slot in the pay table is a number that shows how often you can expect to win a certain amount of money, depending on the probability of each of the payouts on the machine. This is important to know because it helps you make smarter decisions about your bankroll. This is also why it’s important to know your limits – if you don’t, you may end up spending way more than you should. This is especially true of online slots, where the small amounts that are paid out regularly can quickly add up.