(computing) A place in memory or on disk in which a particular type of object can be stored. For example, a file can be saved in a slot on a hard drive or in a folder on a desktop. A slot can also refer to a place in a machine where a coin is placed or to an open position in a game, such as when a player wins.

Casino floors are alight with towering, eye-catching slot machines, but there’s no such thing as a surefire way to walk away with more than you came in to play with. Instead, experts say that gamblers should pick one machine and stick to it — while making sure they understand how the game works and what the odds are.

A slot is also a place in a football team’s offense that’s reserved for a receiver who specializes in running routes that require a lot of quickness and evasion. They’re usually shorter than traditional wide receivers, and teams rely on them to run routes that can be tough to cover with standard defensive formations.

There are many popular slot myths floating around, but the truth is that random number generator software determines how often a machine will pay out and what the winning combinations will be. The only way to change your chances of hitting a big jackpot is to move on from the machine after it hits, but it’s not because it’s “due” to hit again; it’s simply because the next person who plays it has a different set of split-second timing.