A narrow opening, especially one into which something may be inserted, as in a door or window. Also used figuratively: a position, as in a schedule or program; an assignment. The phrase comes from the fact that you can slot things in, such as a coin into a machine’s slot or a letter into a mail box. It can also refer to a time-slot on a clock or the position of a deer in a herd.
A slot machine is a gambling device that uses a random number generator (RNG) to produce a sequence of numbers that corresponds to various symbols on the reels. The machine pays out winnings based on the combination of these symbols. The first electromechanical slot machine, developed by Bally in 1963, was called Money Honey. It had a bottomless hopper and could payout up to 500 coins without the aid of an attendant. Later, electromechanical machines were replaced by video games.
The RNG ensures that the odds of a given machine remain the same over a long period of time, and is the foundation of the mathematically rigorous game theory behind slots. However, the actual odds are not constant over time and are subject to variation from the casino’s control systems.
A slot is a place in the game for a particular event, such as a touchdown or a field goal. Slot receivers need to be fast and agile, but they also must be able to catch the ball at high speeds and run routes that require quick decisions.