A slot is a position in a group, series, or sequence of events. It can also refer to a physical opening in an airplane used for a control device, such as a flap or ailerons. It can also be an electrical port on a motherboard, or any other location that supports an expansion card.
In gambling, slots are games of chance in which the player bets virtual money on a series of reels that spin and stop to rearrange symbols. Depending on the game, winning combinations of symbols earn credits according to a paytable. Some modern games have multiple paylines, while others use a different mechanism to trigger wins.
When deciding which games to play, consider the RTP of each. This metric shows you how often you’ll lose and win, and it’s essential to know your limits. A good way to test the odds of a particular game is to try it out for free before betting real money.
In the sport of American football, a slot cornerback is a defensive back who can move across the field in a variety of ways, making it easier for the offense to attack the defense. They are typically smaller than boundary cornerbacks and are capable of running shorter routes on the route tree, such as slants and quick outs. This makes them effective in the slot, where they can stretch the defense vertically with their speed. However, their size can make them susceptible to big hits.