A slot is an opening into which a piece of hardware can be inserted, such as an expansion card in a computer. It can also refer to a position in an activity, such as the high slot on a hockey rink where a defenseman can take a blistering slap shot. The word is also used figuratively, such as to describe a time period that an airplane can fly at an airport, or the amount of fuel a plane can burn in a given time frame.

To play a slot machine, you insert cash or, in ticket-in, ticket-out machines, a paper ticket with a barcode. The machine then activates reels that spin and stop to rearrange symbols. When a matching combination of symbols is found, the player earns credits according to the paytable. The symbols vary by game, but classics include stylized lucky sevens and fruit. Most slot games have a theme, and bonus features are aligned with that theme.

Online slots have different rules than live ones, but the same general rules apply. Before you decide to try a new slot, search the internet for video results. Most search engines will bring up multiple videos of the game in action, from manufacturers’ demos to player videos captured on their phones. These videos can help you understand a slot’s peaks and valleys, as well as its symbols and themes, before investing your time and money. They can also help you determine whether a slot’s RTP (return to player) percentages meet your standards.