Slot – A Slot is a Small Opening in a Machine
A narrow opening into which something can be fitted, especially a bar or bolt. The term is probably derived from the Latin slitus, meaning a narrow strip or hole, from which the noun slot (meaning “position in a series or sequence”) is derived. It is used in a number of ways in English, including as an adjective, as a noun (especially in the phrase “slot car”), and as a title or position in an organization or hierarchy.
In a slot machine, a slot is where a player inserts cash or, in ticket-in, ticket-out machines, paper tickets with barcodes to activate reels that spin and stop to rearrange symbols. When a winning combination is found, the player earns credits based on the paytable. Symbols vary from game to game, but classic symbols include fruit and stylized lucky sevens. Many slot games have a theme, such as a particular style or location, and bonus features are usually aligned with the theme.
In American football, a wide receiver who lines up close to the line of scrimmage and whose primary responsibility is to catch passes from the quarterback on running plays. In order to be successful in this role, a slot receiver must be quick and possess a combination of skills that include speed and agility. Moreover, they must be able to run routes that can confuse the defense and make it difficult for them to be tackled. Consequently, they often face a higher risk of injury than other receivers.