A slot is a specific point on a computer or other electronic device where data can be stored. A computer’s CPU has several slots where it can store instructions for the operation of the machine. Slots are sometimes called memory slots or ports. There are many different types of slots in a computer and they are used to store and retrieve data in various formats.

In football, a slot receiver is a receiver that lines up close to the line of scrimmage. They typically run route combinations that match those of other wideouts in the offense to create confusion for the defense. In addition to their running routes, they also serve as blockers for the ball carrier on outside run plays such as slants and sweeps.

Casino slot machines are tall mechanical devices with spinning reels and a series of symbols that land in a random order after you press the spin button. If you match three or more of the symbols together, you win a sum of money. The payout percentage is often posted on the rules or information page for a particular machine.

Modern slot machines use microprocessors that assign a weight to each symbol on the multiple-reel display. This allows the manufacturers to balance the odds of winning and losing by making it appear that a particular symbol appears on the payline more frequently than it actually does on the physical reel. Until recently, electromechanical slot machines employed tilt switches to detect any kind of tampering with the machine that might cause a malfunction.