The Slot

A narrow opening, groove, notch, or slit, typically one that allows something to pass through it, as a door handle, for example. Also, the elongated depression in the track of a railroad car through which its grip passes to connect with the traveling cable. A specific position in a schedule or program, as of a TV show: He scheduled his meetings for the eight-o’clock slot on Thursdays.

In a slot machine, the slot is where you insert money or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode. The machine then activates a series of reels that spin and stop to rearrange symbols. If the machine displays a winning combination of symbols, the player earns credits based on a pay table. The symbols vary by machine, but classics include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens.

Slots are easier to understand than casino table games, but they still require a level of commitment and decision-making. For instance, choosing coin bets and determining how much you want to wager per spin adds layers of engagement that can make the difference between a boring evening at the casino or a life-changing jackpot.

Many players believe that a machine that has gone long without paying is “due.” While it’s true that casinos place high-paying machines near each other and lower the payback percentage on slow-paying machines to make other machines more attractive, there is no such thing as a slot that is due to hit.