A narrow notch, groove, or opening, as a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also: a position in a group, series, or sequence. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online sources to reflect current usage of the word’slot.’ Views expressed in these examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Penny slots are a casino’s way of appealing to players on tight budgets. They are designed with bright lights, jingling jangling sounds, and frenetic activity to attract the attention of gamblers who may be on a strict bankroll. However, many of these games do not offer large payouts unless the player is lucky enough to hit a bonus feature or game-changing symbol.
Unlike traditional mechanical slot machines, which use a set of reels and a lever to spin them, modern video games employ microprocessors to create combinations that result in the payout of credits when certain symbols line up on the payline. The odds of winning a jackpot are based on the number of symbols that appear, which are often listed in a pay table above and below the reels. Some of the latest machines offer extra features like bonus wheels, free spins, and mystery progressive jackpots. These features increase the odds of winning and are designed to keep players engaged with the game. However, they can also decrease the overall return to the player, which usually ranges from 90%-97%.