Although they look like complex computers, slot machines are very simple when you think about it. Every time you spin the reels, a random number is generated for each of the symbols. When the reels stop, the selected symbols line up according to these numbers.
In this article, I will explain how this works in more detail, and reveal all the secrets of slot machines. You'll learn things that the casinos don't want you to know. Understanding how slots work will also give you an opportunity to spot some of the scams and learn how to win at slot machines. So let's get started!
How Do Slot Machines Really Work?
When you pull the lever (or press the "Spin" button) on a slot machine, you set off a chain of events that has been programmed ahead of time. First the RNG (Random Number Generator) selects a series of random numbers. There is one for each of the symbols on every reel.
Then, when the reels stop, it tells the mechanical parts (or the video images) to line up the symbols that correspond to those numbers. There is never any real "hit or miss" involving the spinning reels--the outcome is decided by the RNG almost instantaneously, and then the machine goes through the motions.
This means that it doesn't matter how fast the reels spin, or whether you hold down the "Spin" button after you've pressed it once -- the end result is always the same. This also clears up any confusion as to exactly what a "random number generator" is. It's not generating the numbers in response to external factors. It's just cranking out random combinations of numbers behind the scenes, which the mechanics of the machine then attempt to realize.
Best Casinos in Mexico You Need to Visit Today - 2023The exact workings of an RNG are impossible for anyone except maybe a computer genius to fully understand. And even if you knew the algorithm being used, it would do you no good because each spin is supposed to produce a different, randomly generated number combination anyway.
What Determines How Much We Win or Lose on Slots?
Each number in the range of possible results (usually 1 to 225, depending on the number of virtual stops for each symbol) has attached to it what slot managers call "an theoretical payback percentage." This is the percentage of money the machine is programmed to return to the player over time as winnings.
For instance, let's say there are 100 virtual stops, each with a payback percentage of 90%. That would mean that for every $100 wagered on that particular stop, the machine would be programmed to pay out $90 in winnings.
Now suppose another stop is programmed at 80% payback. In this case, for every $100 wagered, the machine would only be expected to pay out $80 in winnings. These percentages can be adjusted higher for certain symbols and/or combinations, to increase the payouts for jackpots, etc. Down to surprisingly low figures for the low paying symbols and/or combinations.
In fact, believe it or not, sometimes there are virtual stops with a payback percentage of 0%. This explains how sometimes you put several dollars into a coin slot (or hit the "Cash Out" button), and you get back less than was originally inside the machine.
It's important to understand that the amount of money the machine has actually taken in versus paid out is kept track of only on a monthly basis. Individual machines cannot be programmed to keep track of this figure. Otherwise, they could easily be tampered with or stolen, and the casino wouldn't be able to tell what was going on with them.
mgm casino bonus codeInstead, each month, the casino compares the revenue from each machine (and slot machines are the biggest moneymaker for any casino operation) with its theoretical payback percentage. Any machines that have taken in more than they should have are balance out by those which have taken in less. Then the casino either invites everybody in for free prime rib dinners... Or donates to charity (pick whichever excuse you hear casino owners giving away the least often).
So what determines how much we win or lose on any individual spin? As explained above, it's a matter of randomly generated numbers and their attached payback percentages. If your lucky numbers come up, you win. If not, you lose. There is no other factor involved.
There is never any "due winning," no matter how long it has been since the last time that jackpot symbol appeared on the payline. The odds are always the same -- whichever way the machine has happened to perform in the past, it makes no difference.
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An urban legend among slots players is the belief that casino management shifts machines from "loose" to "tight" periodically. Loose slots are supposedly programmed to pay out a high percentage of wagers as winnings, while tight machines pay less frequently.
Supposedly, casino executives figure that by spreading a few big winners around, people will think the machines in their establishment are loose -- and keep coming back to give them more money. In reality, though, all slot machines are managed the same way -- from the standpoint of paybacks over time.
I'm not saying that casinos don't move machines around. But it is done for reasons other than trying to make specific ones appear to be more generous than others. For example, they may change the location of a machine because its vantage point is obstructed, or because it is not living up to expectations (getting enough action).
They might also shift a particularly large or showy machine to a more prominent location. But in doing so, they do not change the machine's programming. All slot machines in a casino are programmed to the same standards for paybacks, holding percentages, prize levels, and so forth.
By the way, the term "hold percentage" (used by slot managers, rather than dealers, bartenders, et al.) does not refer to the percentage of money held by the casino -- at least not directly. It refers to the percentage of money the machine is programmed to retain as profit-to-the-house, after payouts for wins and prizes have been made. Hold percentage = 100% - Payment Percentage (also called Theoretical Payback).
Video Slot Machine Secrets
With video slots, there is no chance mechanism or "reel" behavior to worry about. Instead, a random number generator constantly churns out potential outcomes behind the scenes. Each time the player hits the "Spin" button, it causes the recorded images and sound effects of reels, symbols, and other mechanisms to play out on the video screen.
But it's all just window dressing, with no effect on the game's outcome. Multiple videoscreens linked to the same computer will produce the same results, regardless of which one is played.
What About Progressive Jackpots?
Progressive jackpot slots have two different programs running inside them. One is the progressive updating routine, which is always active. It maintains contact with other machines of the same type throughout the system and reports the ever-growing jackpot total truthfully enough to fool the media. :-)
The other program is the regular slot machine game. When the player gets a winning combination of symbols on the payline, the computer switches over to the appropriate program and tells you whether or not you have won the jackpot. It then informs the other progressives in the system of the latest spin result.
Casinos Within 30 Minutes of Homestead, FL - Gambling Below the KeysDespite their complexity, progressive jackpot machines have the same hold percentage as other types of slots. The difference is where the money goes. A portion of each wager on a progressive is reserved to increase the jackpot, so there is less available for other prizes and winnings. This does not mean that progressives are a bad bet, however. Because even though your small wagers contribute to a progressively ever-growing jackpot that you probably will never win -- someone eventually will, and it could just as easy be you.
Location, Location, Location
If all machines are essentially identical, shouldn't they all show about the same payback percentages over time? Well, yes -- but that doesn't mean you're not likely to win more, or lose less, depending on which ones you play. And where a slot machine is located in the casino is usually a better indicator than its appareance.
A rule of thumb is that the casinos make the most money off the players who are having the most fun. Thus, machines in areas where people seem to be spending the most time (even if they are spending less money per play) have a higher expected return to the house. Think about it -- would you rather play slots in the noisy, cigarette smoke filled atmosphere right on the gaming floor, or over in the quiet, well-carpeted hotel lounge?
Even if you prefer the latter environment, my slot machine secrets advise you to pattern yourself after successful gamblers. Look for hotels owned or operated by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop, and the rest of the old Rat Pack. Whenever they had a break from singing and comedy in their nightclub acts, they liked to sit together in a corner of the lounge, smoking cigarettes and playing the slots.
Top Online Casinos Ranked (2023) | UPDATEDIf it was good enough for Frank, Dean, Sammy, Dino, and Joey... Well, you get the idea. Give up that seat -- unless, of course, you see a vacancy sign flashing above it. :-)
By the way, locations near popular cocktail lounges, buffet restaurants, and other sources of background noise can be good places to find slightly better than average machines. The management figues that all those free drinks will cancel out any losses that the casino might sustain. And sometimes, they're right.
Also, machines adjacent to popular games such as roulette, craps, and blackjack can get heavy use whenever the players next door argue over whether tossing another $20 bill on number 17 of the roulette wheel counts as a tip for the croupier, or another roll of the craps dice. Incidentally, it doesn't.
Avoid the Temptation to Gamble
Slot machines near banks of other slot machines can be hazardous to your wallet (and your principles), due to a psychological effect known as the . Suppose you have lost several dollars at a tight machine, and then decide to move further along the bank to try your luck on another one. Before you can enter your selection and hit the "Spin" button, you are forced to pass the first machine on which you just lost several dollars. Since it is very similar to the one you're about to play, your mind has time to register the possibility that you might win back some of that loss -- right there and then, instead of risking it on the machine you're really aiming for. Many people give in to this temptation and "just try it once." Hundreds of sets of these back-to-back machines generate thousands of opportunities for impulse plays at the wrong game -- all leading, statistically, to overall lower payouts for the players.
best casino game pcMachines across the aisle from disabled games (those that have broken down and been taken out of commission) are often worth a try, simply because they are easy to ignore. Curiously enough, machines immediately next to disabled games are some of the tightest in the house. The law of probability ensures that the majority of losers are going to spend a little extra time and effort kicking themselves for the mistakes they made, as opposed to simply giving up and moving elsewhere.
Another slot machine secret is to avoid the machines near "hot seat" promotions, where the management surprises patrons at random and rewards them with free plays, complimentary drinks and food, tickets to shows, cash, and so forth. The rationale here is that the casino ought to compensate the recipients of these windfalls out of its own pocket, rather than off the top of your head. While this may be logical, the law of statistics has a cruel sense of humor. You will likely end up subsidizing several winners, but the guy next to you will sock you aboard a thunderbolt of losses.
Important: Of course, none of these tips will help you if the casino offers wide variability in payback percentages for specific machines. Unfortunately, the only way to determine these figures is to either have access to a casino lay-out plan showing detailed measurements (good luck with that!) or to become a frequent and long-term player at a single establishment. If you begin to notice that certain machines seem to pay off more consistently than others, you may have uncovered a major leak in the ship -- or you could just be overdue for the bathroom. You might want to confirm your observations with other players before basing your slot strategy on them.
Multiplier/Jackpot Meters
Some machines have separate meters for multipliers (coin-in times payout) and jackpots. Usually the jackpot meter is higher, because the multiplier meter includes "holds" -- periods of time when the machine is not performing, for whatever reason. Jackpots, on the other hand, tend to come in clusters or "hot streaks," which may be related to the amount of promotion the casino is giving its particular game.
Best Free Slots No Download Required - Play Free Slot GamesHowever, if you notice that a machine with a high jackpot meter has a very low multiplier meter (compared with similar games nearby), it could indicate that most of the coins fed to it during that period went toward paying off jackpot winners.
How to Win at Slot Machines
One method that some successful players use is known as the "two-quarter" system. Insert five quarters into the slot machine (if it's a nickel machine, you'll get ten plays at five cents each; similarly for other denominations). If you lose all twenty pays, insert another five quarters (for a total of ten plays) but press the "Cash Out" button after the first play.
Use the payout from that one spin to buy a drink or something, and then repeat the process. The idea is that you will either wear down the machine and win a jackpot, or beat it at its own game (by keeping more money off of it than it took in).
Of course, somebody had to do the research necessary to develop this slot machine secret -- and I volunteered for the job. I found that the two-quarter system is a push in the long run. However, human beings are not fully operational in the longer-than-long-run department. Most people who try this strategy will either lose patience and give up before the system has a chance to equalize, or celebrate an early "victory" and quit while they're allegedly "ahead." (See also: )
Another thing to watch out for is "Looped" coin mechanisms, which can cause you to feed in additional coins without getting plays. This usually happens when you hit the "Cash Out" button. It releases the pays from the previous coins, but does not clear the Mechanism so that you can place more coins in the slot. Those adds up fast, especially if English is not your first language.
Are Slot Charms Bad Luck?
Many players believe that putting anything -- such as a ring, pendant, or other piece of jewelry -- on or near a slot machine will bring bad luck. This superstition seems to have begun in the old west towns, where saloonkeepers supplemented their liquor profits by placing small magnets in close proximity to the coin boxes of nearby slot machines.
These devices were strong enough to activate the machine's coin acceptance mechanism from several inches away, allowing the saloonkeeper to steal coins that the unsuspecting player believed had gone astray. To avoid this problem, many folks began wearing jewelry over the slot machines, in the mistaken belief that it might interfere with the theft magnet. Casino security people have since learned to regulate the strength and placement of their looped magnets, making large jewelry items unsafe to wear while playing the slots.
gulfstream park casino photosOn the other hand, the Player may have gained an unexpected benefit from this old west custom ... Albeit one based more on false premise than cosmic energy fields.
Bonus Games and Free Spins
Bonus rounds on video slots offer even worse odds than the regular game. And while free spins -- triggered either by combinations of special symbols, or simply as a prize -- certainly provide opportunities to win, your winnings may be based on the same altered paytable(s) we discussed earlier under "Video Poker".
That means the "free" part may be the only real break you get. Incidentally, the odds of winning a particular prize or jackpot on a bonus video slot are usually printed in the calendar section of the daily newspaper. Just kidding. They're not. The individual chances vary from game to game -- and are, needless to say, considerably higher than for the base game.
Progressive Jackpot Odds
The odds against hitting the biggest progressive jackpots are so long that they really aren't worth discussing. For example, let's say that the odds of getting five Jackpot Symbols on a single payline have beenprogrammed at 2,000,000 to 1. The jackpot itself currently totals $400,000, which represents a reasonable return on the more than $200,000,000 that has been wagered at the machines since the progressive began.
Suppose further that each of those wagers was $5.00. That means an average of 40,000,00 spins per dollar of jackpot growth -- or 2,000,000 spins per $5 wager. Got a few extra months I can borrow? I have this bridge...
Free Slot Machines – Free Slots Games (Inc. Free Spins)How to Beat Slot Machines
So, are there ways how to beat slot machines and win? Yes. The best way to beat slots and get an edge is by playing ... At home. Nothing beats the house edge like not leaving the house to gamble. Another way is to search for looser slots on the floor, but this is not always possible and legal in some jurisdictions (e. g. Nevada).
While my slot machine secrets will sadly dispel some common myths about how slots work, you may discover useful information on how to read a slot machine, and how they behave in general.
More Slot Machine Secrets
Here are a few final slot machine secrets to keep in mind. Never play a slot machine that appears to be too different from the others in its category. Casinos occasionally acquire small electronic games that did not prove commercially successful in the retail market, in order to add variety to their slot machine selections. Although these games may be quite sophisticated and potentially rewarding to play, their rules generally involve enough deviations from the standard slot machine format to contain, somewhere deep within their programming, a significant house advantage.
Watch out for "wide area progressives," offered by chains of small casinos that network several locations (such as truck stops) hundreds of miles apart. Their massive jackpots may appear on bright signs flashing alongside the highway, but the base game may be tightly programmed. Furthermore, you must typically hit a specific combination on the payline -- usually a logo or picture of the game itself. This will qualify you to play for the progressive, but will win you little else. On the other hand, these networks sometimes include bonus sums programmed into the five-figure range -- definitely a boon to the player, if offset by a base game with somewhat more generous paytables.
Awesome Mobile Casino Apps You Haven't Tried (Yet) - Hot ShotNever believe anybody who says they can beat the slots by using a particular technique (such as swinging a length of wet spaghetti over the machine), or by following the patterns of their shadows (cast, preferably, by strong lampshades shaped like animals). Nor will buying mercury from old gypsy women help you, no matter how many oddly-shaped envelopes you have to mail to Poughkeepsie.
Finally, do not be misled by publications that claim to have uncovered "slot machine secrets." Any book or website that reveals the inner workings of modern slot managers is closely monitored by casino security personnel -- and shut down, quickly and permanently. Reputable organizations that purport to expose all the slot machine secrets will either sell you a collection of obvious clichés ("Don't gamble with money you can't afford to lose"), hoary old chestnuts (always play the loosest slots in the house), or bogus "insider" info leaked by imaginary sources.
Some actually recommend returning from time to time and checking the coins in the overflow tray (behind the machine) for ones that may have been forgotten or left over from a jackpot payout. While this may sound far-fetched, I am told that it is not as effective a method of winning money as... well, you get the idea.
As for those nefarious souls who claim to have figured out a foolproof method for beating one-armed bandits ... Well, need I mention the rainforest? The swamp? The relocation fees? The police? The pitchforks? The guys with the pointy hats? OK, maybe that was the Three Little Pigs.
Video Poker Secret Codes - Are They Real?
Let's take a closer look at those "secret codes" for video poker. Is there any truth to this rumor? The theory is that if you draw a winning hand, the machine will substitute losing cards for the winners -- thus allowing the house to maintain its statistical edge, while sparing the Player the depressing experience of watching a bunch of jacks through eights.
Obviously, this can't happen. Even if the chips and cards were designed with miniaturized people inside -- sort of like an old-fashioned Matryoshka doll -- it would take dozens of them to simulate a reasonably full hand. And that's just for one player, at one machine. Try doing the math for an entire casino.
2023's Best Poker Rooms in Fort Myers, FL - Where to Play Live PokerNo, the secret code for winning at video poker is the one you figure out for yourself -- through practice, experience, and, inevitably, both winning and losing hands at various stages. Contrary to popular opinion, video poker is not a surefire way to get even the smallest casino's income hurling toward Mars.
Nevertheless, if you enjoy the game and can accept both victory and defeat as part of the cost of amusement in the venue called Life, by all means -- pull that handle. Just don't expect to learn any genuine video poker secrets from the guys with the pointed hats.
Can You Cheat a Slot Machine?
Can you cheat slot machines and get away with it? Hardly. Magnetizing coin slots isn't exactly child's play. Neither is dealing with RFID blocking jerseys, or any other method of cheating at slot machines.
Moreover, slots are highly technical games, and the tolerances are quite small. Consider the mechanical slot: Drill three round holes in a sturdy box, install three basketball-sized metal tumblers in them, and allow players to deposit coins and slap the machine on the top. Simple, right?
OK, how many turbine engineers does it take to build a successful airline? And why do they use committees of mathematicians to choose lottery numbers? As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” Until the ball (or bolt) drops into the slot on a fruit machine, or the electronic randomizer in a slot settles on a result, nothing is absolutely certain. There are, however, a couple of ploys that have fooled some people — temporarily.
How to Tell If a Slot Machine Is Loose
Some hucksters assert that they can teach you how to tell if a slot machine is loose, but all they really mean is “how to spot a machine that looks well-maintained.” However, even if you manage to locate a slot machine that is truly more liberal than its neighbors, the laws of probability still apply. A machine may be programmed to pay out 98% of all coins fed into it — but that 2% holds is written in stone.
It takes a large amount of money, time, and technical expertise to duplicate a modern slot machine and alter its programming undetected. Additionally, the penalty for getting caught ranges from being barred from the premises — and possibly added to the casino’s list of buyers of odd-shaped envelopes — to several years of hard time in a concrete dress. I believe the state of Nevada even has private yacht rentals now. Not worth it, folks.
There is one exception to this rule. A few states (most notably, South Dakota and Louisiana) permit vending machine payouts in decimals (for instance, twelve dollars and forty-seven cents). Casinos in these areas frequently round these payouts to the nearest dollar, and stuff the difference (aka “the squeeze” or “the shake”) into the coin hopper. Some Players have reported great success with this method, although I suspect that the casinos simply ignore occasional underpayments and count the uncollected coins as a business expense. Still, it’s worth a try if you’re in an area where this practice is allowed.
Shaking a Slot Machine for Extra Coins
To “shake a slot” for extra coins, you must first ascertain whether the jurisdiction in which the casino operates permits v viewing machine payouts to the nearest dollar. Next, play a wager that will almost certainly produce an output of at least $5.00 (such as feeding seventy-five cents into a Nickel machine). If the payoff is less than five bucks (including decimal amounts), reach below the machine and give the hopper a brisk upward tug — roughly the motion you would use to pull a lever that isn’t there.
Top Casino Apps for iPhone & iPad - Poker, Slots & MoreSome Players report excellent results with this maneuver, but I suspect that the casinos simply regard the extra coins as a business expense and go on with their lives. Still, it’s worth a try if you’re in an area where this practice is allowed.
Slot Machine Whistle
You might have heard about the slot machine whistle, a device players use to blow into the coin slot of a machine and supposedly confuse its electronics. The whistle is supposed to create a burst of compressed air that momentarily alters the pressure inside the slot machine cabinet. Some gullible People believe this pressure change can make the RNG spit out winning combinations.
Unfortunately, this has zero impact on the internal workings of a slot machine. The slot cabinets are hermetically sealed, meaning there’s no air circulating inside. You could blow into the slot machine all day and night, and nothing would come of it. Moreover, even if there was some air inside, the distance between the coin slot and the RNG module is astronomical compared to the volume of air you can blow into the machine at once.
In short, the slot machine whistle is a waste of money. Don’t buy it; don’t trust it.
Monkey Bypass Tool for Slot Machines
Next, we have the monkey bypass tool. Similar to the whistle in concept, this is a gadget that creates electromagnetic waves meant to interfere with the communication between the slot machine and the casino server. Again, this is supposed to confuse the machine into spitting out jackpots left and right.
First of all, modern slot machines don’t communicate with the central servers all the time. Sure, the RNG is synced every time the machine is restarted, but once the software is running properly, it operates independently. Second, the distances between the slot machines and the servers are too long for these gadgets to have any impact. Third, the electromagnetic waves emitted by these tools are extremely weak and can’t penetrate the solid metal of the slot machine cabinet.
Real Money Casino Tips - How to Win OnlineAnd even if somehow this worked, you’d be looking at years in prison and a hefty fine.
Wrap Up
At this point, you should have a much better understanding of how slots work and what you can and cannot do to affect their RNG. The bottom line is there are no slot machine secrets that can give you an advantage over the casino. Sure, some games might be looser than others, but even the tightest slots are still capable of paying out huge sums of money.
In the end, slots are all about entertainment and the thrill of winning big. Embrace the games for what they are and don’t fall prey to scammers promising you the world.
The information contained in this site is for entertainment purposesonly. We assume no responsibility whatsoever for any actions taken based on this information. Whether you cheer or jeer the slot machine secrets, they are in no way a recommendation or solicitation to engage in any specific trading strategy. Use at your own risk.
