A slot is a narrow opening or position. It can be a hole that you put coins into to make something work, like a slot machine, or it could refer to the position of an airliner in flight. It can also refer to an appointment or a period of time. You can find slots in schedules and programs, too. For example, you might be able to book a time slot a week or more in advance.

A slots game is a machine that lets you play for coins in return for the chance to win a jackpot. There are many different types of slot machines, including reel machines and video games. Some of them have a fixed payout, while others let you choose how much you want to bet per spin. In the latter case, the probability of winning a jackpot is multiplied by the number of coins you bet per spin.

The first electromechanical slot machine was developed by Bally in 1963 and called Money Honey. This was the first slot machine to use a bottomless hopper and an automatic payout system. In addition to this, it had a lever that was replaced by a button when you wanted to start playing. This design eventually gave way to the electronic systems that are common today.

In computers, a slot (also known as an expansion slot) is a place where you can fit an expansion card that adds capability, such as video acceleration or sound processing. Most modern computers come with a few expansion slots, which can be used to upgrade their capabilities. You can also find expansion slots in some television sets and DVD players, too.

The slot receiver is one of the most important positions in the NFL, and it has become even more valuable since the development of spread offenses. Without a quality slot receiver, quarterbacks would have a hard time spreading the field and attacking all three levels of defense. Several players have excelled at this position, including Wes Welker, who has had an outstanding career with the Broncos and Patriots. Others include Tyreek Hill, Julio Jones, and DeAndre Hopkins.