Are Slot Machines Really Random
Are Slot Machines Really Random Generator
Before anyone decides to engage in gambling, their primary concern is whether the games are fair. Walking in a land-based casino or loading an online gambling site takes courage and determination, as well as will to experience fun and risk. But no one would like to be cheated, and that’s a fact. Not even on the small sums, because that would be just rude and disrespectful, and we can’t even begin to think about the huge frauds that deprive online gamblers of massive jackpot prizes and life-changing earnings. The great thing about this whole ordeal is that online casinos very rarely cheat nowadays. They cannot do it even if they wanted to thanks to lawful regulation, and if we’re talking about respectable venues they surely don’t have the need to do it or the desire to betray the trust if their loyal customers.
A true breakthrough in casino fairness came with the invention of RNG technology. RNG stands for Random Number Generator, and it refers to specific software that makes sure each spin of the reels is completely random and unpredictable.
Some three-reel slots have hit frequencies higher or lower than 12%. Some video bonuses happen more than once per 30 spins, many happen less often. All games have streaks growing out of normal probability, and all are random. “If slots are really random, why don’t I win more often? Shouldn’t winning symbols come up as often as losers?”. The progressive jackpot on a bank of slot machines had to hit before the jackpot reached a certain amount. I even think I have even heard about this at other casinos. If this is the case are they really random if they have to hit before the jackpot reaches a certain amount? Totally random to me means they can hit at any time. The slot machines really give out random combinations. This implies that a long losing streak after somebody leaves might extremely well continue for rather a long time, just to be cancelled in the future (and by later on, this might indicate days or weeks) by a substantial payment with only small gains in between.
More on RNG Software
The RNG technology is based on mathematical algorithms that produce random numbers. Starting from a special digit called ‘seed’, the random number generator starts performing a series of mathematical operations, practically at light speed, and lands on unique number sequences that determine when the reels of a virtual slot machine will stop. The algorithm is looped countless times and there is no way to trace back the operation or predict what the next sequence of determining numbers will be. It’s truly a wondrous software solution. RNGs perfectly recreate the crucial element of chance present in land-based casinos.
Manipulating the random number generator results is practically impossible; it would be an excruciating attempt at getting to the seed numbers that, eventually, doesn’t even pay off. Why would online casino venues risk their license to operate in such a reckless and dishonest way when they can run a fair business and earn sizeable profits maintaining a legitimate gaming environment? It makes very little sense.
Safety Standards Maintained at Their Highest
Apart from initially being based on RNG technology, online slots are constantly subjected to testing and auditory proceedings just to put everyone’s minds at ease. Companies such as Technical Systems Testing (TST) and eCOGRA provide their certificates of approval only to venues whose software and game collections are being regularly tested for fairness. The RNG is being rigorously tested during these inspections and the impeccable working condition of the program is proven each time. All the prestigious and safe casino sites have their slots on display under such certificates and with one look on their web page where the seal of approval is you can be persuaded of their randomness.
Stay away from rogue slot websites and brands that nobody vouches for. Place bets at reliable casino sites and you can be certain that each reel of an online slot machine you’re playing is generating symbols completely arbitrarily and the win exclusively depends on your good fortune and clever betting strategy.
It’s impossible to predict if a slot machine will pay out at a specific moment; anyone claiming otherwise either doesn’t understand how slot machines work or they work as a casino promoter.
If it were possible to identify precisely when a slot machine is about to pay, then the casinos would lose money, and we are all aware of the fact that it usually doesn’t happen. Internet gaming establishments are well-oiled machines built to provide you with entertainment in exchange for money.
However, don’t close this article just yet. The fact that there is no foolproof way to win money on slot machines every time doesn’t mean that it is impossible.
As you probably already know, the odds included in slot machine games are based on the mathematical probability. So, if you learn how those odds work, you might be able to use these findings to your advantage and make some profit.
What we’re actually saying here is that with a good strategy in play and a decent understanding of how to recognize (or at least assume) when a particular slot is about to pay out, you can increase your chances of winning.
We’ve done our homework and poured over countless slot machine tips and tricks in order to learn how to recognize the moment when a slot machine is about to pay out. After a lot of digging, we were able to create a list that shows the most effective strategies you can implement to overcome the ‘randomness’ of slot machines.
Play Only Slots With the Biggest Payouts
This piece of advice seems rather obvious but bare with us for a moment. Everyone who has played in either a brick-and-mortar or an online casino is familiar with the phrase ‘house edge’. For those who have heard about this term but aren’t quite sure what it means, we’ll try to clear things up a bit.
The term ‘house edge’ refers to the mathematical advantage that the gaming establishment has over players. This advantage results in a guaranteed percentage that is returned to the online casino over time. In other words, casinos always beat the players in the long run since the odds are stacked in their favor. You must have heard about the phrase ‘the house always wins’? Well, the house in this phrase is a casino, and you can see for yourself why it always wins.
However, don’t fall into despair yet as all is not lost.
Although the odds are stacked against players, it’s still possible to win. In fact, every slot machine has a theoretical return to player based on statistics which is called the RTP (Return to Player).
The average RTP for most slot games is somewhere between 90–96 percent. Therefore, every slot game that has the RTP over 96% is always a good option. A couple of percentage points difference may seem meaningless, but trust us — it makes a lot of difference over thousands of spins. For those reasons, it’s always a good idea to do a little digging before you start spinning the reels.
How to Find the RTP of a Slot Game?
Are Slot Machines Really Random
Finding out the RTP of a particular slot game is quite easy. There are plenty of websites which review online casinos and write about their game selection, as well as their respective RTP’s.
Simply put, you stand a better chance with the higher RTP slot games. This particularly is the case when you’re playing through bonus spins.
Entertainment vs Big Wins?
This factor is almost as important as the RTP when it comes to choosing an online slot game. Volatility, sometimes called variance, in slot games measures how often and how much you can expect to win during your playing sessions.
Higher volatility slots usually feature long dry strakes with occasional big wins. Since the payouts are substantially higher with high volatility slots, you might sometimes end up clicking the Spin button relentlessly, only to watch your bankroll dwindle. However, when everything lines up perfectly… boom! You’ve hit the jackpot that made the long dry spell worth it! One of the best high volatility slot games is the Book of Ra, created by Novomatic.
On the opposite side of the coin are the low volatility games where payouts are much more frequent but more much smaller. We are not saying that large wins are impossible with these games — far from it. It’s just when they do happen, they are not on the same scale as the ones available with the high volatility games.
It’s really up to the player and his preferences — if you prefer playing games where little wins pop up every couple of spins, then go for the low volatility games. On the other hand, if you are hoping for making the big bucks and are willing to take necessary risks, then we recommend high volatility games.
Online casino platforms aren’t quite eager to hand out the information about the game’s volatility, but it becomes obvious after playing it for a certain time. There isn’t such a thing as a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ volatility — it’s just a question of gambling style and personal preference.
Use the Bonuses in Your Favor
One way to put up a fight against the house edge is by taking advantage of the bonuses. As most of you probably already know, the majority of casino sites offer free spins/free money/ bonuses as incentives to lure new customers. Those bonuses can prove beneficial and turn the odds in your favor.
Of course, don’t expect that the bonuses will last forever. But while they last, you can definitely make the most out of them and clean up some easy cash. On that note, there is no reason why you shouldn’t search around and take advantage of different promotions.
Slot Machines FAQ
Below we’ve answered some of the most frequent slot-related questions. We know that slot machines pose a mystery, and we’ll help you unravel it.
Is gambling on a slot machine really random?
Yes, it is. All slot machines in all online casinos operate by using the RNG, a computer-run program that randomly chooses numbers. A reliable RNG generates numbers that are not related to each other in any way, thus ensuring that your games are fair and random. All types of bonus rounds are predetermined by algorithms, regardless of which slot game you play.
Are slot machines really streaky?
Yes, slot machines are streaky, and they tend to get cold and/or hot. But it’s all the same for you as you have no way of predicting when a slot machine will become hot or cold. These patterns that happen from time to time look like streaks of bad luck or good luck, but they are not based on anything — that’s just the nature of random events.
How can I find a slot machine that suits my gambling style?
It depends on your preferences — if you’re up for cheap entertainment, you should find games that allow a cheap max bet.
If you’re looking to win a massive jackpot, you should concentrate on progressive games and games that feature lots of bonus rounds. These games have high volatility, which means that payouts don’t happen very often, but when they do, they are substantially bigger.
If you just want to have a good time and money isn’t an issue, look for the latest developments. These games feature plots and characters from popular TV shows, movies, sports, and so on, and offer bonus rounds and other fun extras.
Is there a strategy I could implement to increase my chances of hitting the jackpot?
Unfortunately, there isn’t. All possible outcomes are controlled by a Random Number Generator and there is no betting amount or a specific strategy that will make it more or less likely for you to hit the jackpot. However, have in mind that in most online casinos (and land-based for that matter) you have to bet max in order to qualify for the slot jackpot payouts.
What’s a good strategy for playing slot machines?
Before you start spinning the reels, find out the payout percentage of the selected slot machine — don’t play anything that has the RTP below 95 percent. If you are a high roller, go for the high volatile games and chase the main jackpot. Make the most out of the available casino bonuses — they can increase your winning chances by providing extra spins. Avoid the latest licensed slots if possible because, according to various sources, they are more likely to feature fewer payouts.
The fact that matters is that you can’t use some special skill to outsmart a slot machine and change the payout percentage of it. But you can try certain strategies that can maximize your chances of winning.