As you know, the random number generator in the slot machine is continuously working even when the machine is not in play. So even though one patron feels cheated, their run-in ultimately led to pressing the spin button at that exact millisecond when the RNG was on the winning combination. The Random Number Generator in Slot Machines The most popular form of gambling today is the slot machine and it generates up to 70% of the casino’s income. The slot machine has now been around for more than 100 years and has seen many changes. Casino slot machines generate random numbers continuously at very high speed and use the most recent result(s) when the user pulls the lever (or hits the button) to spin the reels. Even a simplistic generator can be used.
The Random Number Generator (RNG) is the brains of the slot machine. While most players know that there is a computer chip picking the numbers, they do not fully understand how it works and this can lead to some of the many myths and misconceptions about a slot machine. One of the most common myths is that a machine has a cycle that can let a player know when it is due to hit. Many “Snake Oil Salesmen” will try to sell you a system for doing just that. Save your money — it can’t be done.
The RNG Program
Inside the slot machine is a microprocessor similar to the one in your home computer. Instead of running Word or Excel, it runs a special program, the RNG, that generates numbers to correspond to the symbols on the reel of the slot machine.
You might say that the RNG is in perpetual motion. As long as there is power to the machine it is constantly selecting random numbers every millisecond. The RNG generates a value between 0 and 4 billion (approx number) which is then translated into a specific set of numbers to correspond to the symbols on the reels. The outcome of each spin is determined by the number selected by the RNG. This number is chosen when you hit the spin button or deposit a coin.
The RNG uses a formula known as an algorithm which is a series of instructions for generating the numbers. The scope of this is beyond most of our mathematical knowledge but can be checked for accuracy. This is done by the Casino Control Board and other testing laboratories to make sure that the program performs as it should so the player will not be cheated.
Principles of the Random Number Generator
Here is a more simplified explanation that's easier to relate to. Although this is not precisely how the RNG operates, it should give you a basic understanding of the principles of how the winning spins are determined.
Reel Type Slot Machines
Reel type slot machines have a number of spaces on each reel that contain a symbol or blank. These are referred to as the physical stops. Most of the old mechanical machines had reels that could hold 20 symbols while the modern slots have reels with 22 physical stops. The microprocessing technology allows the new machines to be able to accommodate a large number of “Virtual stops” which I will explain in a future article.
For this example, let’s simplify things and imagine that there are only 10 stops on each reel. With 10 stops there can be 1,000 different combinations. We get this number by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel. (10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000) The 1,000 combinations that can be attained are known as a cycle, and this is the word that sometimes confuses a player into thinking that the machine has cycles of winning and losing.
The odds of a three number combination being picked are one in a thousand. Theoretically, if you play 1,000 spins you should see each of these number combinations once. However, we all know that this is not the case. If you played a million spins you would see that the numbers would even out to be closer to the actual probability. This is similar to flipping a coin 100 times. Although the odds are 50 -50 you are unlikely to see 50 heads and 50 tails after 100 spins.
The Daily Pick 3 Lottery
Many of you have seen the Daily Pick 3 lottery drawing. They have three glass bowls or drums each containing ten balls numbered 0 -9. The balls are mixed up and when the top is lifted a ball pops up the tube showing you the first number. This is repeated for the second and third number to give you a three-digit winning combination.
To use this as an example of the operation of the slot machine, we will replace the numbers 0-9 on the balls with slot symbols. In each bowl, we will have one ball with the jackpot symbol on it. Two balls with a Bar, three balls with a cherry and four balls which are blank. Imagine the RNG in the slot machine as the person drawing the winning combination.
Here is the breakdown of the number of times out of a thousand that the winning combination made.
- 3 Jackpot 1 (1x1x1)
- 3 Bars 8 (2x2x2)
- 3 Cherries 27 (3x3x3)
- Total Wins 37
The 963 losing combinations consist of:
- 3 blanks
- 2 blanks and a symbol
- 1 blank and two different symbols
- 3 mixed symbols
The RNG picks these combinations of numbers thousands of times each second. Now imagine a string of blinking lights where only one bulb can be lit at a time. The electrical current is zipping from bulb to bulb down the string. When you push a button the current stops moving and the bulb in that position lights up. In this example, the light represents the three digit number just picked by the RNG. If you hesitated a second before pushing the button the results would be different. This is the same as you getting up from a machine and seeing someone else sit down and hit the jackpot. The chances are astronomical that you would have hit the spin button at the exact same millisecond.
You don’t have to take a leap of faith to enjoy games at a live casino in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool, or anywhere else in Britain. Whether you win or lose, you’ll know you had a fair shot. Not only does the UK Gambling Commission license and regulate casinos, but you can’t count on the laws of physics for random and fair play. Whether your game depends on the momentum of the roulette wheel, roll of the dice, or card shuffling, it’s not hard to trust what happens when you can see the action physically unfold before your eyes.
Fortunately, you don’t have to mindlessly hope for the best when playing online. Even though most online casino games are effectively computer simulations, gambling sites use RNGs or random number generators to mirror the real-life odds. Keep reading to learn how these sophisticated algorithms make internet gambling possible.
Random Number Generation Basics
Random number generation can be a complicated topic, even if you are well-versed in mathematics. Yet you don’t need to enrol in a graduate computer science programme to understand the fundamentals. If you prefer, you can be completely oblivious to how RNGs operate and still play to win. Nonetheless, many casino players are interested in numbers, patterns, and the way games work, so it’s definitely worth exploring.
If you’ve spent any time playing online casino games, you’ve probably noticed how much they have in common with video games. The most sophisticated video slots now feature gorgeous graphics, impressive animations, and infectious soundtracks. In addition, all games are made up of untold lines of computer code, but it’s the RNGs that are of interest here. When you play a card game like blackjack at a live casino, every hand is random. That’s because the dealer physically shuffles the deck to mix up the cards. If you’re the shooter playing craps, where the dice ultimately land depends on the laws of motion. Yet what happens in most online casino games are statistical approximations of what might take place in reality, which is where random number generators come into play.
When you play at a trusted internet gambling site, the random number generator ensures that the games are fair and the probabilities mirror real world outcomes.
How RNGs Work at Online Casinos
The whole idea of random number generation becomes complicated if you understand how computers operate. As most people know, computers are programmed by humans. In other words, they merely follow the instructions we give them. Even though that might not appear to be problematic, it does create a major technical dilemma. If computers rely on human for input, the output can’t really be random. Any mathematical formula you could possibly create would be predictable and could theoretically be decoded by hackers. Naturally, programmers have come up with a fool proof solution, which involves using a seed number. This seed number is used by the computer algorithm to produce a random number that determines which card is drawn from a deck of cards, what number a die lands on, where the roulette ball ends up, or the position of a slot machine reel. What happens next is even more interesting. That random number is also used as the seed to create the next random number and the process continues over and over.
If you see a potential flaw in this process, you aren’t alone. While there is a pattern, it’s impossible to decode if you don’t know the initial seed number, which is heavily guarded. Also, the seed number is quite long, with many sites using numbers that contain 219,937 digits, which means hacking is out of the question. When you play at a casino that’s licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, you’ll have assurances that RNGs are fair. Sites not only have their software inspected regularly, but they post their certifications for you to see. You can look for logos from the likes of iTech Labs, eCOGRA, and TST.
Trusted RNGs never rest. They operate even when you aren’t playing. They run in the background and yield new random numbers and seed numbers hundreds of times per second, which makes them all the less susceptible to hacking.
- RNGs ensure that every virtual roll of the dice, shuffle of the deck, and spin of the wheel is fair and random.
- Most online casino games as well as the vast majority of offline slots rely on RNGs.
- Random number generators are powered by lengthy seed numbers that can’t be cracked.
- You can count on independent auditors to regularly test RNGs for accuracy and fairness.
- Licensed online gambling sites proudly display their payout rates and test results in full view.
You don’t have to play online to encounter random number generators. The vast majority of slot machines found in pubs and live casinos use RNG microchips. Unlike vintage games which relied on players to pull a lever that would set the reels into random motion, contemporary slots use software to generate random numbers that instruct the reels where to stop. Even games that appear to be mechanical, likely have a microchip at their core.
When you log on to a licensed gambling site, you can assume that the software is fair. Yet there will always be at least a few sceptics out there. That’s one of the reasons why many online casinos now offer live dealer games. Unlike traditional internet casino games, which are essentially video games that you can play for real money, live dealer games use human croupiers and a real roulette wheel, cards, or dice. When you play a live dealer game, the gambling site will stream a table from a dedicated studio or the floor of a casino to your computer. It’s the closest thing to being there and you can even chat with the croupier.
How can a computer generate a random number?
How does a slot machine really work?
Random number generation is a tricky subject once you understand that computers are programmed by humans and merely follow the orders they receive. Fortunately, mathematicians have created a workaround. RNGs use a seed number in conjunction with a complex computer program to create a new random number. Next, that new random number becomes the seed that gives rise to the next random number and so on and so forth.
How fair is a random number generator?
Random number generators are generally fair, but it is technically possible to crack the code if you had access to the seed number, which is heavily guarded. Of course, if you could crack the code, you would be able to outsmart the casino. More importantly, casinos are required to have their software and RNGs inspected by accredited third party auditors. Look for up to date certificates from eCOGRA, TST, GLI, and other reputable agencies on the casino landing page.
Does a Random Number Generator make it easier to win on slots?
Random number generators work behind the scenes to approximate the mechanical reels that were popular decades ago. Casinos or game developers ensure that the RNGs are in line with the posted payouts over the long haul. As a slot machine player, you can improve your odds by playing games that are programmed to return the most cash back to players. Make sure that you don’t fall into the trap of believing you can predict the future based on what happened in the past. You should never assume that a game is due to pay out just because it’s been a long while.
Slot Machine Random Number Generator
What is the most common random number?
What Are Number Generators For Slot Machines For Sale
When humans are asked to choose a random two-digit number, 17 and 37 are considered to be the most common choices. Of course, any good random number generator shouldn’t have common numbers, as the whole point of an RNG is to create number sequences that can’t be predicted any better than chance would allow. Fortunately, the most common casino RNGs use numbers with 219,937 digits.