A slit or other narrow opening, especially one for receiving something, such as a coin or a letter. Also: a position or assignment, as in a job or school. Also: a berth or mooring in a ship or boat. A groove or slit in an object, such as a piece of wood or metal, for receiving or fitting another piece. A part or area in a machine or other device that receives and holds items, such as a slot in a car door for a key. A position in a sequence or series, as in an alphabetic list. A slot in a game of chance.
A number of slots, or pay lines, determines what kinds of prizes, bonuses, or features get triggered during play and how much each spin wins. Some slot machines let players choose how many pay lines to activate, while others have a fixed set that cannot be changed. The more paylines a slot has, the higher the chances of winning, but it also increases the cost of each spin.
NFL teams employ several types of defensive backs, but the most valuable are usually the nickel and slot corners, who are smaller receivers who can stretch defenses vertically using their speed. This allows them to run shorter routes, such as slants and quick outs, that can open up passing lanes for the team’s more talented wide receivers. These backs are important because they prevent the defense from getting caught off guard by quick passes and double moves.