A slot is a narrow opening or groove, especially in a machine for receiving coins or other tokens and dispensing credits based on a paytable. Modern slots are computerized and use a combination of reels and random number generators to determine winning combinations. Some have a theme, such as an environment or character, while others are purely mechanical. They may accept cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes.

In football, the slot is the area between the outside offensive linemen and the player positioned closest to the line of scrimmage (tight end or wide receiver). A fast player can utilize this position to get open against a linebacker or a safety. Slot receivers are also starting to replace fullbacks as teams shift to more spread offenses.

The slot is also a place in the net in hockey, where players can shoot the puck without risking a deflection or penalty. It allows players to see the entire net without looking behind them. It is considered the most important part of the net, and many professional players say that they can tell whether a goal will be scored by looking at the slot.

In computing, a slot is an opening in a motherboard into which a printed circuit board can be inserted. A motherboard can have several slots, which are used to accommodate expansion boards. In addition, a slot can refer to a connection dedicated to one user on a server, which is separate from a bay.