A slot is a slit or other narrow opening, especially one for receiving something, such as a coin or letter. Typically, the opening is rectangular in shape and has one or more teeth. Similarly, a slot in an airplane’s wing or tail surface serves to hold a control device such as an aileron or flap.
In sports, a player’s position in the line of scrimmage or pattern for a wide receiver is often called “the slot.” A good slot receiver gains 8-15 yards at most and makes it difficult for defenders to tackle him.
The word slot is also used in reference to a specific time period or schedule, such as a television program’s time slot or the time of day when a casino offers free drinks and snacks to its customers. A slot is also the name of a position in an organization or hierarchy.
Periodic slots are tables that display information that repeats at a certain time interval. For example, a periodic slot could show pool elevations at regular intervals, or a set of evaporation coefficients for a reservoir. Periodic slots are displayed in the Slot Viewer with special ornamentation in their column heading indicating that they are a periodic slot (see Figure 6.24).
Players of online slot games should be sure to familiarize themselves with the pay table before playing. It is a good idea to determine a budget or bankroll before starting to play, and to avoid spending more than you can afford to lose.
