A narrow depression, perforation, or aperture, especially one for the reception of a piece fitting or sliding in it. Also, a position or period of time within a schedule or sequence. The program received a new slot on the broadcasting schedule.

In gambling, a slot is the space on a machine’s reels in which a particular symbol must land to trigger a payout. A slot’s payout amount depends on the number and type of symbols that land in it, as well as any bonus features it may have. The information on a slot’s symbols and payouts is found in the pay table.

Some players believe that if a slot machine hasn’t hit for a while, it is due to win. This is false, as a casino’s random-number generator generates thousands of numbers every second, and the reels stop on only one of them when the machine receives a signal (anything from a button being pressed to the handle being pulled).

Some slots have wild symbols that can substitute for other symbols to complete winning combinations, increasing the chances of landing a jackpot. These symbols can also unlock bonus levels and other special game features. These are described in the slot’s pay table, which also displays the odds of hitting a jackpot or winning a prize.