Slots - Machines for Random Winnings

Most played slots

As a form of gambling Slot Machines are one of the most common and popular among the punters. Nowadays they generate nearly 70% of the casinos' income. They have been used for more than a hundred years. Until the game's targets stay unchanged, the slot machine technology has been changing non stop by RNG – Random Number Generator.

At the beginning the first models were completely mechanical. They used mainly physical reels in the form of spun after pulling a handle. Contemporary slot machine have a complex microchip – RNG, that runs the machine and lands the winning combinations on the reels.

RNG – Random Number Generator

As we have already said the Random Number Generator is a microchip which generates numbers non stop, even when the machine does not work. Actually the numbers generated by RNG are from 1 to several billion per second. Nowadays all slot machines operate by RNG.

The position of the reels is set by these numbers. When a player presses a button or pulls a handle he only makes the machine display the position of the generated numbers. These numbers correspond to the positions of the reels. It is good to inform the users that they are not actually initiating things to happen. This is the Random Number Generator that predetermines the outcome.

The brain of any slot machine is nothing else but the RNG. The microprocessors of the RNG and the home computers are very similar. The RHG processes a special program on the machine to generate the right numbers at the right time. 

Actually it becomes clear that the payout ratio as well as the frequency have been set in advance and operate for a long time. As a result, the machine can work for a period with no winning combinations, or contrary several hits may be generated in a short term. So the speed for generating winnings does not depend on player's good luck.

RNG Major Function

The RNG is working incessantly. It is selecting random numbers while the machine is running. The major function of the RNG is generating these numbers. There is a special program which translates the numbers' value. This is done in order to make them match the symbols on the reels.

The final outcome of any spin depends on the number generated by the RNG immediately after the player pulls the handle or presses the spin button. 

A special algorithm carries out the main functions. These series of instructions for generating the random numbers makes the machine completely unbiased, accurate and neutral.

Hit Frequency

The special number that shows how frequent a winning combination can come on the machine is called Hit Frequency. In general, the bigger the number, the higher the hit frequency. If the RNG hit frequency is higher, there will be more winning combinations landed.

For the players it is important to know that slot machines with high hit frequency are not always the best ones to play at. The chances of the player who hits the jackpot of the slot game are 27,000 : 1. As the numbers generated by the RNG come very frequently, the winning combinations are also generated rapidly.

Payback Rate 

The number in percentage showing the real payback percentage of the machine is called Payback Rate. The slot machine will give back an average amount of money in percentage from all the money that has been paid in it. Actually, the more money entered, the bigger payback rate. 

Ways of Interaction of the Latter Two

The payback ratios and the hit frequencies are completely different for different slot machines. There are machines that are programmed with higher hit frequencies. They are called “loose”machines. Players think they are more generous than the others. But actually their payback percentage isn't very high, as payouts are generated more rapidly.

Against these machines, the other ones which have smaller hit frequencies are called “tight” machines. But the reality is that their payout ratio is much better than the loose machines' payout ratio.

Methodology for Playing a Winning Slot Machine

If you have to decide which slot machine to play, it is very important to remember the fact that it's much better to play a 'tight' machine with a higher payback percentage and lower hit frequency. Try to ignore the generous 'loose' machine that has lower payback percentage and higher hit frequency.