A slit, hole, or narrow opening, especially one for receiving something. Also: an appointment, berth, job, position, spot, window.
A slot in a tabletop is a crucial element of an heirloom piece of furniture. In this video, George explains the process of locating and milling a slot. He then demonstrates how to make a biscuit slot and install it into the table top. This video is an excellent tutorial for beginners in the woodworking world.
In a slot machine, a player inserts cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a designated slot on the machine. The machine then activates the reels, displaying symbols that may match a winning combination on the pay line of the game. Depending on the machine’s theme, symbols vary widely but classics include fruits, bells and stylized lucky sevens. A player wins credits based on the number of matching symbols. Historically, slots have included information tables that list payouts and prizes, often including jackpots and other bonus features.
Slot is also a term used in gambling to describe the amount of time a player spends on a machine. The longer a player is at the slot, the greater his or her chances of winning. Some researchers have found that increasing the hold on a slot machine decreases the average time players spend on it. This view is controversial, however, as some believe that a higher hold increases the average size of winnings.