Some players clutch lucky charms while playing slots while others try to “time” things right so that a machine will pay out. Some look for “hot” slots while avoiding those “cold” ones. Another player may believe that a big payday always comes on a Saturday or Sunday.
Do these players have a chance at some winnings? These are just a few of the slot myths that many players believe and the sad news is that they are just that – myths. Hot and cold slots are a myth, as is the notion that one can “time” a slot payout. Other notions about luck and slots are also myths.
Read to discover the top five slot myths and learn the truth behind these common misconceptions.
1 – Hot & Cold Slots
Some players believe that certain slots are simply “hot” – seemingly awarding jackpots all the time (at least from their perspective). Other slots are seen as “cold” – stingy with those payouts and best to be avoided. But the simple fact is that the random number generator (RNG) and the game's high-tech inner workings ensure completely random results. The RNG runs millions of combinations a second to determine a random result as soon as a player hits the “spin” button.
The RNG ensures random results and a fair game. Because of this, the idea of hot and cold slots is a myth and very flawed thinking. Some games may pay out big jackpots over a short period while other times they may not pay out much at all over a longer amount of time. The RNG ensures that no one can predict a payment.
Those machines are neither hot nor cold and no previous spin has any effect on subsequent spins as well. There is no skill involved in winning – it’s just a random event.
Modern slot machines contain a pseudo-random number generator (RNG) that cycles through about 4.3 billion distinct values continuously at approximately 1,000 values per second,” researchers with the University of Alberta report.
For each bet, the machine selects the cycle’s current position and outputs the correlated reel positions onto the display. Unlike the free throw in basketball, no amount of practice will improve the odds of winning at the slot machine. Moreover, receiving a near miss is no more informative about an upcoming win than any other type of miss.
2 – Timing is Everything
This is another common myth. Some players believe that a casino’s slots only pay out in the evening or at certain times of the day.
So what is the best time of day to play slots? The RNG determines outcomes, so play whenever it's convenient for you. The RNG and the machine’s software determine all winners – at random. Schedule that slot play when you feel you want to play – not when you think they might pay off.
3 – Slot Machines are Rigged
The belief that slots are rigged is a common misconception. It may seem sometimes like you just can’t win, but the simple truth is that casinos have a major house edge on the whole when it comes to slot machine play. Slots are designed with a house edge, but regulations ensure they pay out a certain percentage over time, known as RTP (return to player). RTP can apply to a certain type of gaming machine or the casino as a whole.
For example, a casino or slot with an 88% RTP is paying back 88 cents of every dollar wagered. Casinos (and online gaming platforms) don’t adjust individual machines to work against players. They simply collect a percentage of all the money put in a slot.
As a study from the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences notes:
Each slot machine has a parameter called return to player (RTP). RTP is the average amount of money that a player will get back, on average, after each spin of the reels.
4 – Betting More Can Give You a Better Chance at Winning
Betting more doesn’t increase your chances of winning and can quickly drain your bankroll. This can simply drain a player’s bankroll over time. Playing higher than you can afford is a recipe for disaster and betting more also does not affect your potential for winning. This is a myth as well and players would be better advised to stick to stakes they can afford.
There is a caveat to this concept when it comes to RTP. Some high-stakes machines may have higher RTPs than those at lower stakes. Progressive games, those that feature massive jackpot pools from numerous slots over a certain state or area, may also only award the highest payouts to those who meet a certain bet threshold or play at a certain level. Those who want to have a shot at those prizes will want to play at these levels. But it’s still advised to play games that best fit your budget.
5 – There’s a Trick to It
Some players believe they can influence the random number generator while playing. They devise certain tactics and ways of spinning that they believe may affect how the machine pays out or stops the reels.
Here are a few tricks players believe may help them:
Stopping the reels manually at a certain time – This does not affect wins or losses.
Following certain betting sequences – This is also a myth and doesn’t affect the RNG.
Playing for a certain time limit – The RNG solely determines the results of a spin and playing for varying times doesn't affect that.
No player action influences the RNG, making every spin purely random. The reels just serve as a representation of the result determined by the RNG. It’s important to realize that players face extremely long odds when it comes to winning one of those eye-popping million-dollar jackpots that regularly make headlines.
As Investopedia notes:
Slot machine odds are some of the worst, ranging from a one-in-5,000 to one-in-about-34-million chance of winning the top prize when using the maximum coin play.
6 – That Lucky Charm Makes a Difference
Lucky charms do not affect a slot machine, and most players know this. Those lucky charms may simply bring good feelings and add to the fun.
While most gamblers hope for some luck at the slot machines, seeing results is more a product of being at the right place at the right time. The RNG, not lucky charms, has more to do with wins and losses.
So why do gamblers embrace these kinds of lucky charms and ideas of luck in general? It can give some players a sense of control and also lead to some frustration in the process.
A belief in luck appears to soothe our discomfort with randomness but can also make us fearful of doing anything that might incite bad luck,” the Mindful Healthy Life journal notes:
Living our life based on the principle of fate-driven luck means that we’ll experience frustration when things don’t go as planned, or negative events will confirm what we’ve always believed: that nothing good ever comes our way.
7 – Using the Slot Lever Gives You a Better Chance to Win
Using the lever doesn't improve your chances of winning compared to the spin button. In the early days of slots, a lever would set the mechanical reels in motion. Today’s games feature few mechanical inner workings but some games still include a level on the side of the machine. Some players mistakenly believe that using that lever gives them a better chance to win. However, the lever simply does the same thing as the spin button and has no bearing on winning and losing or the RNG.
Nothing you do has an impact on the result of each spin. It’s all a matter of the device’s computer workings. Understanding this helps players focus on enjoying the game rather than chasing myths.
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Responsible Gaming Reminder
Whether playing at a live casino or online, it’s important to set boundaries and reasonable budgets when playing slots. Don’t wager more than you can afford to lose and make sure gambling funds are for entertainment only. Expecting to win at your slot machine play each time out is unreasonable. Make note of safe gaming practices including:
Don’t go over your bankroll.
Play at the limits you can afford.
Don’t chase losses.
Take breaks when hitting a losing streak.
When your bankroll is gone, don’t reach into your wallet for more or visit the ATM machine.
Avoid drinking too much, which may make you gamble more.
Consider free-to-play slot games like at Jackpot Party without having to risk any real money.
Those who do feel they may have a real gambling problem should take advantage of available resources. Many states allow players to self-exclude themselves from casinos and online gambling. Some also offer professional help and addiction programs that are free to residents of those states. For more help, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling or call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Conclusion
Slot machines offer plenty of bang for the entertainment buck and offer players a chance to win. Some players believe their actions, lucky charms, or other beliefs can affect winning or losing. This is not the case, however, and the machine’s high-tech random number generator determines the result of a spin.
That result is visually represented for the player via the symbols on the reels. While some players believe in luck and other superstitions when heading to a casino or playing online, the fact is that the slot’s computer and software determine the results of every spin of the reels.
Players should recognize this and also know that the casino has a built-in house edge. RTP (return to player) may also come into play and higher RTP percentages at least pay back more money to players. Always practice responsible gaming and stay within your bankroll when playing slots and only budget money you can afford to lose or consider free slots. Playing slots can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to know the realities of the games when heading to the casino
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