A slot is a narrow notch, groove or opening. In a computerized slot machine, a player inserts cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a slot. The machine then activates reels that display symbols. When the symbols match a winning line on the pay table, the player wins credits based on the amount wagered. Most slots have a theme and the symbols vary according to the theme. Some have special features, such as a Wild Multiplier, which replaces other symbols to complete winning lines.
The term “slot” also refers to a position in a sequence or series, especially one in a schedule. For example, a person may be asked to reserve a certain time for meeting with a client or other colleagues.
In hockey, the slot is the area directly in front of and between two face-off circles in the offensive zone. This allows speed players, such as wingers and centers, to skate both inside and outside the circle, unlike boundary cornerbacks who can only cover the arc of the wide receiver. The slot also provides a straight-on view of the net for center and wingers when shooting.
A slot can also be a container for reusable or common logic (data fetching, pagination, etc.), as well as visual output, by delegating part of the latter via scoped slots. This use case encapsulates reusable code and visual output, while freeing the parent component from having to render the entire document.