Slot is a narrow notch, groove or opening, as in a keyway, a hole for a coin in a machine, etc. Also, a position in a group, series, sequence or other arrangement.
You’ve checked in, made it through security, found your gate, struggled with the overhead lockers and settled back into your seat. But then, you hear the captain announce, “We’re waiting for a slot.” What the heck is a slot and why can’t we take off?
The most important thing to remember when playing slots is that every machine is different. Two machines may look exactly the same but pay out different amounts based on their prize value and symbol combinations. It’s essential to read the pay table before you start playing so that you can understand what each machine has to offer.
When you spin the reels on a slot, the random-number generator picks numbers randomly within a massive spectrum. When the machine receives a signal — anything from the button being pressed to the handle being pulled — the computer records that specific combination of numbers. Then it finds the corresponding stop on each reel by using an internal sequence table.
This means that even if you play a machine for a long time without winning, it’s not because the machine was due to hit. It’s just that the random-number generator has been producing new numbers faster than you can record them. And this is true for every single spin of the reels, regardless of how many coins are in the machine or what you’re betting.