Slots are often described as games of chance, but you might wonder what this actually means. After all, you might wonder if there’s a pattern as to which symbols land on the reels while playing, and plenty of enthusiasts insist that there are such things as “hot” and “cold” streaks. Is there ever a case when a slot is “due” after playing for a long enough time? Are these games obliged to “pay back” the player?
Here’s some bad news - the answer to the above question is a firm “no.” This is because slots are ultimately based on a single force, and that is randomness. Every possibility is equally likely when spinning the reels, be it hitting the jackpot or landing yet another losing spin, as each spin is independent of the other. Randomness is the one elegant principle present in gambling, and it’s such an interesting topic we’ve decided to expand on it in this blog post!
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What Does Randomness Mean?
We’ve claimed that the outcome of each spin of a slot is random, and that each possibility is as likely as all the others, but what does this actually mean? Let’s use a very simple gambling game that consists of five balls numbered from 1 to 5 in a bag. Here your chances of drawing the ball numbered “1” are the same as drawing the one numbered “2””, and so on with all five balls. With this in mind, if ball 5 awards you with a jackpot then your chances of drawing this one are still identical to those of drawing balls 1, 2, 3, and 4, right? However while you have a 1 in 5 chance of drawing the winning ball, you have 4 in 5 chances of drawing a losing ball. Each draw of a ball is independent of the others, and as such previous draws cannot affect the ones that follow. Simple, right?
Slots work on the same principle, only with vastly expanded odds. Instead of 5 different outcomes you get hundreds of thousands, if not millions. The game might be dressed up with reels, symbols, and winning patterns, but it’s still about taking a chance with a draw. Each press of the “Spin” button leads to a unique result, one of the hundreds of thousands available. There is no pattern or cycle at play, and as such there’s nothing you can do to affect the result.
What is RNG?
What is RNG
If you’ve been playing online slots for a while you might have heard the term “Random Number Generator,” which is abbreviated to “RNG.” This is the software that, as the name implies, generates the randomness of an online slot. It essentially generates thousands of numbers per seconds, each one corresponding to a result of a spin of the reels, and once you press Spin it selects the current number and translates into the positions of the symbols you see on the reels. This makes it the digital equivalent of the vastly sophisticated drawing game that are slots where, once again, each outcome is both unpredictable and independent of past results.
RNG vs “True” Randomness
Some players will argue that RNGs are algorithmic and, as such, not truly “random.” On a very technical level such arguments are correct. The RNGs powering online slots are “pseudorandom,” as the numbers they generate are based on an initial seed value. However this is coupled with sophisticated algorithms, making the RNG random on a practical level. “True” random number generators exist, but these are based on actual cosmic phenomena such as electronic noise or radioactive decay that, while truly unpredictable, require sophisticated hardware and software that goes well beyond your PC or smartphone, never mind the internet browser running your slots!
RTP and Volatility: Adding Structure to Chaos
If the outcome of each spin is truly random, then how can one come up with Return to Player (RTP) values? What about the volatility of the game in question? This is where the art of the game designer comes into play, not to mention even more mathematics. After all, games are designed within set parameters that, while not affecting the randomness of each spin, shape the feel of the overall game experience. This is where volatility comes into play, which indicates how the game distributes its wins. Low volatility means smaller but more regular wins, while high volatility is the opposite with large yet rarer payouts.
The RTP of a slot, on the other hand, is a statistical percentage calculated over a large number of spins. It indicates how much of their wagers a player stands to get back if they were to play a game millions of times. If a slot has a 96% RTP then one could theoretically get back 96% of their bets if, again, they had to play for a really long time. In any case neither RTP nor volatility guide the results of individual spins, as instead they indicate how the game behaves over time.
The Myths of “Due” Machines and Near Misses
The Myths of “Due” Machines and Near Misses
A persistent slot myth, especially on land-based casino floors, is that of machines being “due” for a win. This is, alas, false - a slot doesn’t keep a ledger of what it has paid out, and as such cannot “remember” that it hasn’t brought a win in a while. Once again think of the simple ball drawing game example, and how each draw of the balls is independent from the others. Don’t fall for the gambler’s fallacy, or the belief that the more you gamble the higher your chances of getting a win. Instead consider how the slot’s reality resets on each spin, and how you’ll receive a truly fresh result every time you press the button.
We’ve tackled the “due” machine, but what about near misses? These are something of a psychological trick designed to keep players hooked. The human brain will automatically interpret a near miss - where you get 2 symbols instead of the required 3 in a payline, for instance - as a sign that you’re close to a win, when in fact it’s just a visual representation of the RNG’s results. Of course these near misses can keep players hooked to a game, as they further boost the anticipation brought about by each spin.
Embrace the Unpredictability of Slots
The moral in the end of this post is simple - slots are truly based on chance. It’s this randomness that keeps each spin exciting, even if there are no such things as due machines or near misses. So embrace the fact, and consider each and every spin as a plunge into the unknown. Play slots for this excitement, not for the wins, and the result will be a healthier relationship with your gambling. Play your favourite slots responsibly and, as always, have fun!
