A slot is an opening or position into which something can be inserted, positioned, or dropped. The word is used in several senses:
A player inserts cash or, in ticket-in, ticket-out machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a slot on the machine, which activates the reels. If a winning combination of symbols is hit, the player earns credits based on the payout value listed in the slot’s pay table. Most slot games have a theme, and the symbols and bonus features align with that theme.
The RNG determines the sequence of numbers that correspond to each stop on the reel. These numbers are then mapped by the computer to a list of sequences on the slot’s internal memory. When the slot is triggered, it will use this map to find the corresponding stop on each reel. The computer then selects a random number from this set to decide whether or not to win.
Many people believe that a slot machine that has gone long without paying off is due to hit. However, it’s important to remember that each spin is independent of any previous or upcoming spins. The random number generator generates thousands of numbers every second, and each of those numbers is associated with a specific symbol on the slot’s reels. So, a machine that hasn’t paid off in a while is not necessarily “due.” In fact, casinos purposefully place hot machines near the end of their aisles to encourage more play.