People who have been playing slot machines or pokies for years have many different ideas and strategies that are not based on anything close to facts. This article aim to debunk some of the myths of playing slot machines, so you can go into a casino with a clear head and full knowledge of what you are doing.
Slot machines contain a “random number generator” or RNG, which continuously emits random numbers, even when the machine is not being used. Pulling a handle or pushing the “spin” button simply chooses a random selection at that precise moment. Pressing the button a fraction of a second later would yield a completely different result. Therefore each push of the button is completely random and independent from the previous spins, and bears no relation to any spins thereafter
What this really means that if someone wins on a machine you just left, you didn’t just miss a payout. Don’t head to the bar and start to drink away your sorrows, or start gambling much higher amounts than you can afford to try and chase that big win you just “missed”. In reality, you wouldn’t have won if you had stayed at the machine because you wouldn’t have pulled the handle at the exact same fraction of a second that the other person did.
This also means that no machine is “due” a win, nor that a machine that has just won cannot win again. Each pull is completely independent, remember, so even if a machine has just paid out, it could pay out on the very next spin. Obviously, if the progressive jackpot has just been won and has reset to the minimum, then winning slotxo straight after won’t get you as much money, but it doesn’t change the probability of it actually happening on the very next spin. The machine could go for days without a decent payout and there is no reason why it can’t suddenly pay out a few large amounts within a short space of time.
Other “strategies” people use are also nonsense. Playing faster will not increase your chance of winning, the number of coins you bet will not change the numbers that come out, and it makes no difference if you pull the handle or press the “spin” button.
There are obviously a wide range of different machines with varying payouts. The looser machines usually cost more, and can pay back up to 99%, with less expensive machines offering much lower returns. Serious slot players are probably better off avoiding progressive jackpot machines, as these are programmed to produce a high number of reels and symbols.
A land based casino also puts a lot of consideration into where they place each machine, and knowing some of the tricks can help you find the good machines and avoid the tight ones. As loose slots attract a lot of action, they are put in places where they are seen a lot in order to entice people in. The casino bosses want people to hear the sounds of other people winning, to motivate them to play. The loose slot machines or pokies are often therefore found near change booths, on elevated carousels and snack bars, along with other areas of high visibility or with a large amount of foot traffic.
The tight machines are also placed strategically, often in places that are secluded where people do not pass as regularly and there are few other players. Tight machines are also placed near the sports-book area as the casino does not want to entice people away from betting on sports. The area surrounding table games is also often populated by tight machines as table players are not normally interested in slots.
One last tip for land based casinos is to always use your slots card, as this can entitle you to some great additional benefits such as free meals or even a free hotel room. Many players miss out on these benefits because they don’t take the time to register or simply forget to take their card with them.