What do you think of when you hear the word casino? Many people will think of slot machines in neon lights, which are an iconic part of the casino history and industry. But if you have tried playing at a slot machine without winning, the thought of them being rigged might pop up in your head. But are they rigged? And how are they programmed?
In this article, we will answer some of the most frequent questions about how slot machines work.
The evolution of slot machines
The world’s first mechanical slot machine called ‘Black Cat’ was created in 1889 by the brothers Adolphe and Arthur Caille.
This is how the machine works:
- You insert a coin
- A detector registers the coin which unlocks a brake
- When you use the metal shaft, this activates a handle mechanism
- The reels are put into motion
Because the casino market follows new technological inventions, slot machines do the same. Today, the modern slot machine looks very different from the first machines. They are constantly being improved and are characterized by different themes, images, and sounds. Although slot machines can still be found at land-based casinos, it is also possible to play them at casinos like Casumo online casino, where you can find a variety of games.
How do they work?
Now that you know a bit more about slot machines, this begs the question: how are these constantly spinning slot machines working? Are they dependent on artificial intelligence? The answer is RNG, which stands for Random Number Generator. Every slot machine will have an RNG, which is programmed to generate random numbers. Therefore, when you spin, a random combination is generated. Because of this, it has never been possible to trick a slot machine.
When slot machines first came on the market, they also had a mechanical random number generator, and therefore slot machines have always been random. Today, the technology of RNGs keeps evolving, as the fastest generator can generate quantum randomness at 250 trillion bits per second.
How random are the machines?
But how can a slot machine be random if they are programmed by the casinos? This can seem contrary, but there is a logical explanation. Yes, the machine work with a programmed algorithm, but this algorithm makes sure, the numbers are chosen completely randomly and are therefore not predetermined.
Is it luck or strategy?
The reason why many people like gambling, is because it isn’t defined by your physical ability or performance. Sure, when you gamble, it’s good to know the game well and have some strategic capability. As gambling and mathematics are also intertwined, sometimes you can get a better chance of winning by using mathematical strategies. But a lot of times the outcome is determined by pure luck.
Can you trick the machines?
As they are random, you can’t strategically beat the machines. But there are some ways that you could increase your chances of winning. For example, you can choose three-reel slot machines instead of five-reel slot machines. This way you are more likely to hit a win, as there are fewer reels.
