A narrow opening, especially one in a machine into which coins may be inserted to operate it. Also, in sports, a player whose position is between the wide receivers and tight ends, or on the far side of the field, where he or she can be more easily covered by opposing defensive players.

A slot in a computer system is a location where an operation can be scheduled to be executed. In very long instruction word (VLIW) computers, the term is synonymous with a pipeline stage of a functional unit.

The pay table of a slot game provides all the rules and guidelines that govern how it works, as well as what you can expect to win if you spin the reels successfully. It will typically explain which symbols are considered to be “wild,” and describe their value relative to other icons, how many paylines the slot has, and what kind of bonus features it includes.

When choosing a slot to play, look for machines with maximum bets that fit your budget. It’s also a good idea to test a machine before you commit any money. Put in a few dollars and see how much you get back after half an hour or so. If you’re not breaking even, move on to another machine. This simple step will help you avoid getting ripped off by unscrupulous casino owners and save you from losing your hard-earned cash. You’ll be glad you did.