What is a Slot?

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Slot

Slot is a place or space where something can go, usually in a machine. It can be a narrow opening, a groove, or slit, such as in a keyway, or it can be a gap in an airfoil that facilitates airflow.

In computers, a slot is an engineered technique for adding capability by introducing connection pinholes (typically 16 to 64 closely-spaced holes) and a place to fit an expansion card that contains the circuitry needed to add specialized functionality. Almost all desktop computers use slots to add capabilities such as video acceleration, sound, or disk drive control.

The term “slot” also refers to the area between the face-off circles in an ice hockey game. The area in front of the goaltender and between the two circles is called the low slot, while the area in the center of the ice above the circles is the high slot.

A slot game is a type of casino gambling in which a player spins a wheel or a set of reels to try to win credits. The outcome of a spin is recorded on a screen or display, which shows the number of coins that have been won and any special symbols that have appeared during a spin.

Frequently, the winning combinations are printed on the pay table of the slot machine. The pay table lists how many credits are paid out for matching symbols on a line, and sometimes includes wild symbols that substitute for other symbols to complete a line.