You’ve checked in at the airport, made it through security, waited in the queue for your flight, found a seat and settled in. Then you hear the captain announce, “We’re waiting for a slot.” What is a slot, and why does it take so long?

A slot is a narrow notch or opening, especially one for receiving something, as a keyway in machinery or a coin in a vending machine. It can also mean a position or assignment, as in a line-up or sequence. The term is also used to refer to a place on the field, such as in sports, where it’s often referred to as a receiver’s slot, which is a specific spot between the face-off circles on an ice hockey rink.

While it might seem like it’s just you against the slots, you’re actually in a communal gaming environment, so you need to practice good slot machine etiquette to help protect the experience for everyone. This means playing responsibly and not using your credit cards to play, as that can cost you more than the amount you initially spent in interest charges.

When choosing a slot game to play, the best strategy is to select one that offers you the highest chance of winning. While focusing on the game’s RTP rate alone isn’t the best way to make this decision, years of research have shown that games with higher returns tend to provide players with more money over time than those with lower ones. This is why it’s generally considered a good idea to choose a slot that successfully combines the factors of RTP, volatility and betting limits.