A narrow depression, notch, slit, or opening, especially one for receiving something, as a coin in a slot machine or a keyway in a lock. A position, as in a sequence or series: She’ll be in the eight o’clock slot on Thursdays.

A slot is also a term for a period of time in which something can be scheduled: His TV show has a primetime slot on Mondays. The phrase is also used figuratively: Her ideas fit neatly into the theory.

In a slot machine, players insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes to activate the reels and receive credits based on the combination of symbols lined up on a pay line. Symbols vary by game, but classic symbols include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens. Many slot games have a theme, and bonuses and other features align with that theme.

If you want to win at slots, check out their return-to-player percentage (RTP). It’s a measure of how much money is expected to be paid back over time to average players. The higher the RTP, the better your chances of winning. Also, play only those games that have a minimum bet amount and don’t exceed your budget.

When you’re ready to start playing slots, you should know that the most popular ones are video and reel slots. These are more exciting to play, but they can be expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s best to stick with classic slots. They’re less risky and can still provide big payouts if you hit the right combination of symbols.