What Are Slots?

A slit, notch, or narrow opening, especially one for receiving something. The slot in the center of a type-wheel is a key to the machine’s operation.

A slot in an aircraft or spacecraft. Air traffic management slots allow airlines to operate at constrained airports, such as those with limited runway capacity.

An assigned time and place for an airplane to take off or land as authorized by an airport or air-traffic authority. For example, airlines may be allocated a number of landing slots at Heathrow, and these are released periodically in order to manage the flow of passengers.

In an ice hockey game, the unmarked area in front of the opposing team’s goal that affords a vantage point for an attacking player. Also called a face-off slot.

Traditionally, slot receivers were larger players with great speed who could stretch the defense vertically off pure speed. However, with the emergence of smaller, quicker wide receivers like Tyreek Hill and Brandin Cooks, more teams are using slots to complement their primary wideouts.

In addition to the regular symbols that award coins, modern slot machines often feature special bonuses that have a variety of different mechanics and can include anything from a lucky wheel to memory-like games and free spins. Some slots allow players to choose which paylines they want to wager on, while others automatically bet on all available lines.