A narrow notch or groove, such as the keyway in a machine or the opening for a coin in a vending machine. Also: A position, as in a schedule or program, in which an activity can take place; the time slot for a visit to a museum. To fit into a slot easily or readily; to place in a slot: The CD player’s slotted in easily into the car’s radio.

Before the age of online casinos, players dropped coins into slots in live casino games. But now they can use smartphones and computers to research games before investing their money and time. If you are looking to play slots, it’s important to do your homework on the game before putting down real cash. Plugging the name of the game and its developer into a search engine will usually yield multiple results, including video clips showing the game in action. Pay close attention to the game’s rules and features, especially those pertaining to payouts. Some of these reviews include game designers’ target payback percentages, which are usually higher for online games than live casino games. But remember that the percentages you see may not necessarily reflect what’s available in your local area. Also, keep in mind that slot machines are designed to return a certain percentage of the money they accept to bettors, which is why many people believe they have a good chance of winning at these games. But luck plays a major role in any type of gambling, so it’s important to gamble responsibly and set realistic expectations for yourself.