In computing, a slot is an open connector (also called expansion port) on a computer motherboard that accepts printed circuit boards that provide specialized capability such as video acceleration or disk drive control. A slot is sometimes referred to as a “bus slot”, “I/O port” or “memory slot”. Slots differ from bays, which are sites on the motherboard that hold disk drives.

In football, an offensive player known as a slot receiver is a smaller receiver who lines up wider on the field than traditional boundary or inside receivers, running shorter routes such as slants. Slot receivers are becoming increasingly important in the NFL as teams try to stretch defenses vertically and gain an advantage over opponents.

In the old days, slot machines were all-or-nothing affairs: a player yanked on the lever and either the cherries or lucky sevens lined up to win money, or they didn’t. Today’s multi-line slot machines display several reels on a video screen and offer hundreds of different combinations, each with its own odds. Casinos can precisely control the odds of hitting a particular pay line, and can offer much higher jackpots as a result. The emergence of new computer technology has also changed how people play the game: rather than betting a set amount, they can bet on many lines simultaneously and potentially win big. This creates a sense of excitement and anticipation, and keeps people coming back for more. In fact, some studies suggest that players are more likely to leave casinos with money if they’ve had a good time than if they’ve lost.