You’ve checked in, made it through security, found your gate, queued to get on board, struggled with the overhead lockers and settled back into your seat. Then you hear the captain say: “We’re waiting for a slot.” But what is a slot, and why can’t you take off as soon as you’re ready?

A slot is a narrow opening in a machine that accepts cash or, as with “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes. When activated, the slots spin and stop to rearrange symbols, paying out credits based on the paytable. Most slots have a theme, and symbols and bonus features are aligned with that theme.

Advantage plays on slot machines are a bit like secret weapons in blackjack or poker – they’re visible, but they aren’t widely shared because they tend to make casinos less money. But with a little knowledge, it’s possible to understand how to exploit these games and improve your chances of winning at them.

Slot-based scheduling is a useful approach to prioritizing work throughout the day and can help teams focus on tasks that are most important to meet deadlines. It’s also a great way to communicate expectations and set clear priorities with your team members.