A slot is a position or a time in which something can be done. It can also refer to a place in a group, series or sequence. The word is derived from Middle Low German and Middle Dutch sloet, which is probably cognate with German Schloss (fortress). It can mean any opening or gap, but especially one used in connection with an aircraft flight path. The slot for a plane is the time and place authorized by air traffic control to land at an airport.

A computerized slot is a position within a group of tasks that a program will execute or a task will be assigned to, based on the availability and resources in the system. In a typical desktop computer, there are a set number of slots that can be allocated to different applications or processes. In addition, there are several other types of slots for special purposes such as swap space and disk drive caching.

As computer technology advances, there are more variations in the slot concept. In the case of electronic slot machines, a single physical reel is replaced by multiple virtual reels, each with their own weightings. This allows for more combinations and smaller jackpots, but it also complicates the math that programmers must use to calculate payouts.

In addition to the standard symbols, most modern slot games have bonus events that can be triggered by landing three or more of specific symbols. These may include a spin of a bonus wheel, a pick-em event or free spins. The rules of these events are normally explained in a pay table that is displayed alongside the regular game screen.

When choosing a slot machine, the pay tables are key. Typically, the pay tables will show pictures of each symbol and tell how much you can win for landing (typically) three or more matching symbols on a payline. Some pay tables will also highlight any special symbols, like a Wild or Scatter symbol, together with an explanation of how they work. These are important to understand because they can dramatically increase your winning chances.