A slot is an open spot in a queue, line, or set of operations. For example, when you arrive at an airport for your flight you check in on time, get through security, find the gate, and queue up to board. Then you sit down and wait. Why? Because the plane is waiting for a slot.

During this time the airline is awaiting the arrival of other aircraft to fill up their slots and allow them to take off on schedule. When airlines manage this process with the use of central flow management, they can avoid delays, fuel burn, and passenger frustration.

In casino gaming, a slot refers to an opening in which you place your money to bet on a machine. Slots come in all shapes and sizes and vary in jackpots and payouts. Before you play a slot, it is important to understand the rules and payouts of each one. This information is found in the pay table, which displays symbols and their respective payouts. The pay table also explains how the game’s bonus features work and what you need to do to trigger them.

In NFL football, a slot corner is a defensive back who lines up inside a boundary cornerback to cover the slot receiver. Slot receivers are smaller, faster players who can stretch defenses vertically by running short routes such as slants. The slot corner must be well-conditioned and have excellent speed to cover these elusive receivers.