A narrow notch, groove or opening, as a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also: a position in a group, series, or sequence. I can slot you in at 2 p.m.

An assigned time and place for an aircraft to take off or land, as authorized by air-traffic control. Also: an area on an ice hockey rink that affords a vantage point for an attacking player.

In computer hardware, a slot refers to an expansion slot or a memory slot on a motherboard. It can also mean a peripheral port, such as an ISA, PCI, or AGP slot. A slot may also refer to a position in an organisation or hierarchy: He was promoted to the senior slots in the company.

When playing slots, it’s important to understand the pay table. This shows how much each symbol pays out, and it’s a good way to learn more about the game. The pay table is usually listed on the machine’s glass or within a help menu on video machines.

Another thing to remember when playing slots is that a single spin doesn’t make or break your chances of winning. Just like rolling dice, you’re likely to get a six as often as any other number. However, you should be prepared to lose some money too. That’s why it’s always a good idea to set a budget before playing any slot games. Then, you’ll be in a better position to stay within it.