Slot machine secrets - Tucson News Now

By J.D. Wallace - bio | email

TUNICA, MS (KOLD-TV) - A single microchip can bust every myth gamblers believe to gain an edge on the slots.

It's called the Random Number Generator (RNG). It's in every slot machine at every casino.

"It's constantly, randomly generating numbers (and symbol combinations)," said Angela Black, slot manager of Hollywood Casino.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission tightly regulates the RNG. It's totally random, and it's constantly running, even when no one's playing a machine.

So with the RNG in mind (and in every machine!), let's debunk the 5 most common slot myths:

#1 - "HOT" and "COLD" MACHINES

  Serious slot gamblers are a superstitious bunch. They'll either stay at a single slot machine if they're hitting, or they'll rotate machines, thinking that will help them "keep up" with a rolling jackpot.

"Busted!" said Black.

Again, this goes back to the RNG. The combinations of symbols on the slot's reels are completely random ALL OF THE TIME.

"There is no such thing as a 'hot' or 'cold' machine," Black said. "You have just as much a chance of winning directly after a jackpot as you did before."

#2 - PLAYERS CLUB CARDS INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING

All a casino's "players club" card can do is track your playing and betting activity at a casino. That data is used only to calculate a gambler's qualifications for player benefits like free meals, lodging or tickets to special events.

"It doesn't give you a player's edge on winning. It does give you a player's edge on benefits of comps," said Black.

#3 - CASINO BOSSES/SECURITY CONTROL JACKPOTS

Nope. 

The only folks punching buttons that affect jackpots -- are the players.

And again, the RNG is spitting out those constant, random combinations.

#4 - A SLOT MACHINE CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM BETS

Black said the amount of the wager does not affect the outcome of the game.

"(The slot machine) doesn't care," she said. "Betting more does increase the odds of winning more money, but not multiple wins."

#5 - PLAYERS CAN DETERMINE THE ODDS BY COUNTING THE SYMBOLS ON THE REELS

This is the "counting cards" myth.

The idea that a player can count symbols on a slot reel like an idiot savant might count cards at a blackjack table just doesn't work when a RNG is running the show. 

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