Slots
Slot Machine Strategy
By
Apr 19, 2004, 08:42

Consider yourself lucky to have
stumbled upon this page for you are about to learn the secrets behind the reels.

Before I explain how modern slot machines work let me explain how they don't
work. Many books on slot machines incorrectly state that each reel is equally
likely to stop on each position, or stop. They reason that if a slot machine has
20 stops on each reel and one jackpot symbol on each reel, then the probability
of hitting the jackpot is 1 in 20³ = 1/8000. This was true of the
early days of slot machines before they become electronic. Today this is
patently untrue.

Modern electromechanical slot machines are governed by random numbers and
microchips. Based on evidence from a variety of sources including program
specifications for specific slot machines I offer the following explanation of
the steps that a typical three reel slot machines goes through on a typical
play.

1. Player initiates a new play by inserting a coin, pulling the handle, or
   hitting the 'spin' button.
   

    



2. The machine selects three random numbers. These are chosen from a random
   number generator that is constantly drawing random numbers at a rate of
   thousands per second. The numbers chosen at the moment the play is initiated
   are the ones used to determine the final outcome. In other words the outcome
   is predestined the moment you spin the reels.
   

    



3. The three random numbers chosen will be divided by a fixed number. This
   fixed number is usually a power of 2, such as 64 or 128. For example, if the
   divisor were 128 the machine would have three remainders ranging from 0 to
   127.
   

    



4. It is common terminology to think of the remainders as stops on "virtual
   reels." If the divisor were 128 then the virtual reels would each have 128
   stops with each stop being equally likely. Each stop on the virtual reel is
   mapped to a stop on an actual reel. Obviously there are more stops on a
   virtual reel than a typical 22 stop actual reel. Each stop on the actual reel
   will be weighted with a specified number of stops on the virtual reel.

In general the non-paying symbols, like blanks, will be more heavily weighted
than the paying symbols. The blanks above and below the highest paying symbols
usually have the greatest weighting, giving the illusion of almost hitting the
jackpot. In another effort to build suspense, the first reel to stop will often
be weighted the most generously with paying symbols and the last reel will be
weighted the tightest.

This idea of weighted reels owned and patented by IGT under the Telnaes
patent. IGT lets other slot makers use their idea, stipulating they the number
of positions on their virtuals reel not exceed a specified number which I
believe to be 64. This gives IGT a monopoly on very large jackpots because only
IGT can set very low probabilities of hitting them. It is my understanding that
the Telnaes patent expires in 2001.

It should be stressed that these weightings are my best guess based on almost
4000 trials. It is unlikely that I am exactly right but I do feel I have enough
data to be reasonably close to the actual weightings.

• Slot machines stop on any possible set of stops with equal probability
  
  

  As explained above this is not true of modern slot machines. Some stops are
  much more likely than others.

  
  

   



• Slot machines are programmed to go through a cycle of payoffs. Although
  the cycle can span thousands of spins once it reaches the end the outcomes
  will repeat themselves in exactly the same order as the last cycle.
  
  

  This is not true at all. Every trial is random and independent of all past
  trials.

  
  

   



• Slot machines are programmed to pay off a particular percentage of
  money bet. Thus after a jackpot is hit the machine will tighten up to get back
  in balance, and when a jackpot has not been hit for a long time it is overdue
  and more likely to hit.
  

  The only part of this that is true is that they are designed to pay off a
  particular percentage. However the laws of probability dictate that the longer
  the machine is played the closer it will come to its target payoff, even with
  every trial being completely random. A jackpot is equally as likely to be hit
  right after the last one and if it has been fifty million spins since the last
  one.

  
  

   



• Hot/cold coins are more likely to yield good returns.
  
  

  The temperature of the coin does not matter. It also does not matter how
  long it has been since the coin was last played.

  
  

   

Here are some other miscellaneous tips to help you cut down the house edge.

• Most machines reward you for playing the maximum coins. For example the
  jackpot may pay 2000 coins with 2 coins played, but 4000 with 3 coins played.
  In most cases it is advisable to play the maximum coins.
  

   



• Never leave or play a machine that owes you money. Sometimes a machine
  will run out of money before it is finished paying you off. If you get up
  someone else can sit at your machine and claim they hit your jackpot. If you
  put another coin you may lose the evidence so don't touch anything until you
  are paid off.
  

   



• Look for who is advertising loose slots and quoting specific payback
  percentages. These casinos are eager for your business and are willing to
  reward you with a looser machine for coming in.
  

   

There are lots of people selling the "secrets" of winning at slots and
promise easy winnings to the buyer. Don't waste your money. There are only two
ways to beat the slots without cheating: (1) Play variable state slots (as
explained above) in high states and (2) play progressive slots when the meter is
unusually high. Based on what I have seen those authors promising easy money at
the slot machines are not exploring these methods but instead rambling on with a
mixture of correct and incorrect information, neither of which will give the
player an edge.

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