What Is a Slot?

A slot is a dynamic placeholder that either waits for content to be added (a passive slot) or calls out for it using a scenario or a targeter (an active slot). Slots work in tandem with scenarios and renderers to deliver web page content.

In a slot machine, players insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes, into a designated slot on the machine. The machine then activates the reels and pays out credits based on the winning combination of symbols, as determined by the paytable. Symbols vary by game, but include classic items such as fruit and stylized lucky sevens. Many slots also feature bonus rounds that are aligned with the game’s theme.

In video slots, the pay table is usually displayed on a separate screen, or embedded within the help menu. Often, the information in the pay table is presented in an easy-to-understand way and may incorporate animations or graphics to explain how the symbols are aligned to form wins. The pay table also displays the rules of any special features that a machine might have, including how to trigger them and what they entail.