Slot is a narrow notch, groove or opening, as a keyway in machinery or a slit for coins in a vending machine. Also: A position in a group, series or sequence, as a time slot for a television program or an office job.
The slots in a machine are shaped to guide coins or paper bills into the pay-out mechanism, and they can be adjusted by a lever on the side of the machine. Early machines had only one slot, but later designs incorporated more than two and up to five. In the 19th century there was considerable resistance to the introduction of slot machines, first by forces of morality and then by law (San Francisco banned them in 1909) but by the late 1950s electromechanical slot machines had overcome this opposition.
Many slot developers have tapped into popular culture to create games with themes that are recognizable and engaging for players. Games based on gripping dramas like The Walking Dead or TV shows like Deal or No Deal allow players to follow the plot and win big payouts. Some slot games even simulate the action of fishing trips on a lake, with bigger and heavier fish equating to higher payouts.
A good way to learn about the mechanics of a new slot game is to visit the website and play it for free. This will give you a feel for how the controls work and will help you to write an accurate review.