A narrow notch, groove, or opening, as in a door lock or coin slot. Also, a position in a group or series or in a program or schedule.

A machine that pays out credits based on combinations of symbols, usually following a theme and having a pay table that displays all possible winning combinations and how much each one pays. Depending on the type of machine, these symbols might include classic objects like fruits or bars and bells, or more modern items such as stylized lucky sevens. Many slot machines feature a bonus round that gives players the chance to win additional credits, if they can land certain combinations of symbols on successive reels.

When you play a progressive jackpot slot, your bets contribute to a cumulative prize that can grow exponentially until someone wins it. These jackpots, sometimes known as “wide-area” progressives, are linked across multiple casinos in a network and can be worth millions of dollars. When someone claims a progressive jackpot, the prize resets to a lower amount.

In football, a player who lines up in the slot receiver position is closer to the middle of the field and may be more vulnerable to big hits from different directions than other wide receivers. To be successful, slot receivers must run precise routes that require speed and agility to elude or evade tacklers. They also need to block well on running plays.