Slot Machines

Introduction

When it comes to gambling, the easier a game is to understand the worse the odds usually are. This is certainly the case with slot machines. Playing them is as easy as pressing a button. However, between the high house edge and fast rate of play, there is no quicker way to lose your money in a casino.

It's important to clarify that this information focuses on how slot machines function in the majority of the United States and globally. Certain aspects might not be applicable in every location. For instance, I've mentioned that slot machines typically exhibit a memory-less property, meaning each spin's odds remain unchanged. However, in the UK, some bar machines called 'fruit machines' implement a system that ensures specific short-term profits, leading to cycles of wins and losses. These types of machines deviate from the usual independence property seen with major slot manufacturers.

How They Work

Whether you're playing a 3-reel single-line game or a 5-reel 25-line game Ultimately, each bet's result is decided by a random number generator. The game selects a random number for every reel, aligns that number with a specific position, halts the reel accordingly, and awards the outcome based on what appears. In simpler terms, when you hit the spin button, the outcome is predetermined; the rest is merely a visual display. Hot and cold cycles are nonexistent; your chances remain constant for every spin on that machine.

Slots are essentially the only casino games where the odds can't be precisely calculated. In other words, players lack insight into the game's mechanics, making it challenging to find a straightforward example. To facilitate understanding, I've created an example based on the Atkins Diet slot machine (link), which is a straightforward five-reel game featuring a free spin bonus round, similar to IGT's Cleopatra.

For detailed information on its mechanics and probabilities, be sure to check out my Atkins Diet slot overview. par sheet .

If you're looking for a more complex example that includes sticky wilds during bonus rounds, give my Vamos a Las Vegas slot machine a try.

For detailed information on its mechanics and probabilities, visit my Vamos a Las Vegas slot page. par sheet (PDF).

Odds

The table below outlines the earnings generated by casinos in Clark County, Nevada (home to Las Vegas) for all electronic games, including video poker and keno, during the year 2012. Here, 'slot' refers to any electronic gaming machine. Based on my findings, video keno is generally on par with reel slots in terms of payout tightness, while video poker typically offers significantly better returns. Therefore, reel slots should yield a return that exceeds these averages.

Source: Nevada Gaming Control Board, Gaming Revenue Report for December 2012 (PDF, see page 6).

A majority of players gravitate toward penny video slots. Historical data indicates that the house edge on such machines usually ranges from 6% to 15%. Generally, higher-end casinos tend to feature tighter slot machines.

Advice

Although playing slots is purely a game of chance, there is some strategic skill involved when it comes to choosing which machines to play and how to enhance your chances of getting a better return. Below, I'll provide my suggestions for those who feel compelled to play slots.

• Always ensure you utilize a player card. While slots may not offer the best odds, casinos tend to reward slot players exceptionally well. A player spending $1 on slots may receive better complimentary perks compared to someone betting $100 on blackjack. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to avoid playing solely for the sake of earning comps, as you may end up losing more than you gain.
• Simpler games generally come with better odds. Flashy machines filled with large displays and video features usually do not yield as high returns as more straightforward games. However, many slot enthusiasts argue that the fanciful games provide greater entertainment value.
• Higher denominations typically offer better odds. As such, it's often more advantageous to play a single coin per line on a 5-cent machine than to wager five coins per line on a 1-cent machine.
• Make sure to redeem your ticket and cash out before leaving. It's easy to forget, especially after hitting a big win.
• Try to pace your gameplay to minimize your spending while satisfying your desire to play.
• Certain games feature skill elements, like Top Dollar. In these instances, it's beneficial to heed the advice provided.

Myths and Facts

Most of what players believe about slot machines is inaccurate. Below, I've compiled common myths and facts regarding them. Keep in mind, this information pertains to machines frequently found in the United States. In contrast, certain machines like 'fruit machines' in the UK may operate differently.

• Myth : Slot machines go through predetermined cycles of payouts. Although these cycles may last for thousands of spins, they will ultimately repeat the previous order of outcomes.

  Fact : This is entirely false. Each spin is random and does not depend on prior outcomes.

  
• Myth : Slot machines are designed to pay back a set percentage of all bets. Following a jackpot win, the machine will tighten up to regain balance. Conversely, if a jackpot hasn’t occurred in a while, it’s ‘overdue’ and thus more likely to pay out.

  Fact : As previously mentioned, each spin is independent of prior spins. This means that the odds remain consistent regardless of when the last jackpot was hit or how much was awarded in past spins within any timeframe.

• Myth : Machines tend to pay off more if players don’t use a player card.

  Fact : The outcome of each play is not influenced by whether a player card is utilized. The odds remain constant whether you use one or not.

  
• Myth : Employing a player card results in casinos reporting winnings to the IRS.

  Fact : This is irrelevant. If your winnings amount to $1,200 or more, they will report it regardless. If you have a net loss for the year, which is quite likely, using a player card can provide evidence of those losses, helping offset your jackpot winnings.

• Myth : Casino staff can remotely adjust the settings of my machine. Thus, it's essential to be courteous to them and tip well, or they might manipulate the machine to decrease your chances.

  Fact : There's some validity to the myth about being able to change a machine's odds remotely. However, 'server-based slots' remain largely experimental and are not widespread. Even for these machines, regulations exist to protect the player against potential exploitation. For instance, in Nevada, a machine cannot be adjusted remotely unless it has been inactive for at least four minutes. During such adjustments, a notice will appear indicating that the machine is undergoing service. ( source ) Most slot machines, however, require physical access to change an internal computer chip or programming. EPROM chip , to make any changes.

  
• Myth : Machines located near entrances and high-traffic areas are often looser, while those situated in quieter spots are tighter.

  Fact : My research on the correlation between slot placement and payout has shown no connection. Every slot director I've consulted simply chuckles off such claims as another player misconception.

• Myth : Slots tend to offer better payouts during slow hours on less busy days, while they become tighter when the casino is packed.

  Fact : No one would bother with such tactics even if they were able to. The reality is that casinos strive to balance their profits while also keeping players satisfied. This balance is best achieved through slots that are loose enough to ensure players enjoy a reasonable 'time on device,' as the industry refers to it, providing them with a fair shot at winning which encourages repeat visits. If slot machines are perceived as too tight, players will notice and likely not return.

  Locations with guaranteed patronage, such as Las Vegas airport, are where you can expect to find tighter slots. For instance, if a slot manager deems a 92% return rate adequate for a penny slot, they’ll likely maintain that rate across all penny slots for an extended period.

Play

Atkins Diet

Analysis

Vamos a Las Vegas

Analysis (PDF).

Australian Reels — One Line

Analysis (PDF)

Australian Reels — Five Line

Analysis

21 Bell

Analysis

Fruit Machine

Analysis

Reviews

• Dazzle Me (NetEnt)
• Mr. Vegas (Betsoft)
• Sparks (NetEnt)

Internal Links

• Appendix 1 provides a detailed analysis based on nearly 4000 actual spins from a slot machine in Reno.
• Appendix 2 illustrates a hypothetical slot machine's virtual reels and demonstrates how the average return is calculated.
• Appendix 3A : 2003 Las Vegas slot machine rankings.
• Appendix 3B : 2002 Jean/Primm slot machine rankings.
• Appendix 3C : 2002 Tunica slot machine rankings.
• Appendix 3D : Rankings of Henderson/Lake Mead slot machines for the year 2002.
• Appendix 3E : Returns for quarter and dollar slots in Las Vegas for the year 2002.
• Appendix 4 explains the calculation of returns for myWizard's Fruit Slot Machine .
• Appendix 5 analysis of the 21 Bell Slot Machine.
• Appendix 6 Evaluation of the Red, White, & Blue Slot Machine.
• Lock and Roll Review of the skill-based slot machine available in North Carolina.
• Megabucks Multi-denomination
• Total An analysis of the classic progressive game at MGM.
• Source: Nevada Gaming Control Board, Gaming Revenue Report for December 2012
• (PDF, see page 6). An examination of the slot game found in many Game Maker machines.
• Advice .
• Analyzing the Atkins Diet slot machine mechanics. .
• Breaking down the features of Lucky Larry's Lobstermania. .
• Myths and Facts .
• source .
• EPROM chip .
• , to make any changes. Play
• Atkins Diet Analysis
• Vamos a Las Vegas Analysis
• (PDF). : Guidelines for when to cease play after recovering all losses.
• Australian Reels — One Line

Analysis

• For a more basic understanding of slots, please visit my accompanying website.(PDF)
• A German version of this information can be found at. Australian Reels — Five Line
• For a solid overview of slot functionality and some practical tips on gameplay, check out.Analysis 21 Bell
• PAR Sheets, probabilities, and the impact of slot machine gameplay: Insights on problem and non-problem gambling. by Kevin A. Harrigan and Mike Dixon from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. This remarkable academic paper explores the design of various popular slot machines.
• Analysis
• PAR Sheets, probabilities, and the impact of slot machine gameplay: Insights on problem and non-problem gambling. - A scholarly article based on the PAR sheets of modern slot machines.

Fruit Machine Analysis