A narrow notch, groove or opening, as in a keyway in machinery, a slit for coins in a vending machine, etc. Also: a position in a series, sequence or group. I’ve always had a hard time remembering the names of all those little characters, but I finally slotted them into place when I realized they were named after famous movie stars.
In hockey, the area directly in front of the goaltender and between the face-off circles is called the slot. This is the best area to shoot a puck because it gives players a straight-on view of the net, making it easier to get the shot off without deflections. However, defenders will often try to limit opportunities in the slot by laying out big hits on small wingers.
There are countless variations of slot machines on the market, with new titles being dreamt up all the time. But despite the fancy graphics and bonus features, the fundamental principles of these games remain the same. To make the most of your time and money while playing slots, start by asking yourself why you’re gambling. The answer to this question will help determine the rest of your strategy. For example, if you’re trying to win a big jackpot, you’ll want to play games with fewer “bonus” symbols that can trigger multiple payout modes and increase your chances of winning. On the other hand, if you’re just looking to have some fun and relax, then you might prefer simpler machines with a single payout line.