1. (informal) an opening or a position in which something can be fitted, especially a hole or slot in a door or wall. 2. (informal) a position, time or space reserved for an event or activity.
A person or thing that is’slotted in’ is placed in the correct place for it. For example, the slot corner in American football is responsible for covering receivers who catch passes all over the field. They must be well-conditioned and physically capable to play this role effectively.
In a slot machine, each possible combination of symbols is assigned a number or numbers. When the machine receives a signal — anything from a button being pressed to the handle being pulled — the computer sets the matching number and signals the reels to stop at those locations. The resulting symbol combinations determine whether the player has won or lost.
Most slot machines have a pay table that outlines the different payouts for different combinations of symbols. This is usually prominently displayed on the machine, or can be found by clicking the ‘help’ button or ‘i’ on touch screens. Many slot machines also feature wild symbols that can substitute for other icons and help form winning combinations.
A common myth is that if a machine hasn’t paid out for awhile, it is “due.” However, the truth is that machines are never due to hit. Each spin is independent of all previous spins, and if a machine has been played a lot by other players, its payback percentage may be lower than that of other machines in the casino.