What Is a Slot?

slot

In computer technology, a slot (often called an expansion slot) is a place to install an expansion card with circuitry that provides additional capability, such as video acceleration or disk drive control. Many modern desktop computers come with a set of slots for adding these cards.

A slot is also a term for a specific position in a football team’s formation. The slot receiver is responsible for lining up in the “slot area” between the wide receiver and the tight end, and he must be tough enough to absorb contact while running routes and possess good hands to catch the ball. In addition, he must be fast enough to blow past defenders and score.

The slot receiver is often a smaller, quicker player than his counterparts at other positions, and he must be precise with his routes and timing in order to avoid getting caught by the defense. He must be able to run just about every route in the book, and he must have good chemistry with the quarterback.

The payout percentage of a slot machine is the probability that a given machine will pay out a winning combination. This figure is usually listed on the machine’s pay table, and it is typically displayed on a seven-segment display. It may also be accessible as a list on the machine’s information page or help menu. The percentage can vary between machines, however, as looser machines tend to pay out more frequently than tighter ones.