Math Of Slot Machines
Slot machines use maths to operate, so why can’t you use mathematics too beat them? Let’s fight fire with fire. Find below a math based approach to playing online slots at sites such as Thorslots.com.
This eighth book of the author on gambling math presents in accessible terms the cold mathematics behind the sparkling slot machines, either physical or virtual. It contains all the mathematical facts grounding the configuration, functionality, outcome, and profits of the slot games. There was a question presented to you on 'mathematics in the slot machines'. Forget it, the slot machines are run by computers and can be tightened or loosened at the casino's whim. Best regards, Larry and Alice. Dear Larry and Alice, And Earth is flat and the center of the universe. Best of luck in and out of the casinos, John.
Understanding the mathematics behind online slot games is invaluable in helping players choose the best machine. So let’s start by explaining how mathematics is used to operate slot machines.
Slots mathematics
The outcome of each spin on a slot machine is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG). These Random Number Generators use mathematical formulas to generate random numbers, which correspond to the symbols on any given slot. If the random numbers generated correspond to a winning symbol combination, you win.
Calculating probabilities playing slots games
Probability refers to the likelihood of players winning at a slot machine. In order to calculate the probability of a specific slot, you need to know what a specific winning combination pays, as well as the probability of landing that combination.
How much any given combination pays out is usually listed in the paytable, but how do you calculate the probability of landing that combination? Easy. Just calculate the amount of stops in that slot. Let’s use a simple example. Let’s say that a slot contains 3 reels, with 5 symbols on each reel. To calculate the number of possible combinations on this machine, just multiply the number of symbols on each reel, by the number of stops on each reel. So this would be 5 x 5 x 5 = 125 possible winning combinations. If the jackpot in this slot pays out only for three cherries across the reels, and only one cherry occurs per reel, the calculation would be as follows: 1/5 x 1/5 x1/5 which equals a 0.008% chance at hitting the jackpot.
It is thus possible to calculate the probability of landing any combination as long as you know the number of times that each symbol appears on every reel, which is not information usually shared by online slots. Modern machines also come with many different numbers of reels and winning combinations, which could make it difficult to calculate its probability.
It is quite possible to calculate the probabilities of a simple and traditional slot machine. However, with modern slots it would be pretty much impossible, as slots can have as many as ten reels and 200 stops.
RTP percentages for online slot games
Return to Player percentages (RTP) refers to the overall percentage of total wagers that a video slot game will pay out back to players over a period of time. Each online slot has a Return to Player percentage. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 98%, that means that for every dollar you bet, you will get back 98 cents. So to increase you odds of winning, you would want to choose the slot machines with the highest RTP rates, preferably 90+.
These are just a few of the ways in which you can use maths to choose the right online slot and improve your chances at winning.
Remember the movie National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation, when gambling fever consumes Chevy Chase’s character, Clark W. Griswold? He goes on a losing streak to beat all losing streaks while his son, Rusty, wins four cars by playing the slot machines. Maybe Clark would have done better if he had read Probability For Dummies! In this article, you discover the basic ideas behind slot machines and how they work, so that you can get past the myths and develop a strategy based on sound probability.
Understanding average payout
When casinos advertise that their slot machines pay out an average of 90 percent, the fine print they don’t want you to read says that you lose 10 cents from each dollar you put into the machines in the long term. (In probability terms, this advertisement means that your expected winnings are minus 10 cents on every dollar you spend every time the money goes through the machines.)
Suppose you start with $100 and bet a dollar at a time, for example. After inserting all $100 into the slot, 100 pulls later you’ll end up on average with $90, because you lose 10 percent of your money. If you run the $90 back through the machine, you’ll end up with 90 percent of it back, which is 0.90 x 90 = $81. If you run that amount through in 81 pulls, you’ll have $72.90 afterward (0.90 x 81 = 72.90). If you keep going for 44 rounds, on average, the money will be gone, unless you have the luck of Rusty Griswold!
How many pulls on the machine does your $100 give you at this rate? Each time you have less money to run through the machine, so you have fewer pulls left. If you insert $1 at a time, you can expect 972 total pulls in the long term with these average payouts (that’s the total pulls in 44 rounds). But keep in mind that casinos are designing slot machines to go faster and faster between spins. Some are even doing away with the handles and tokens by using digital readouts on gaming cards that you put into the machines. The faster machines can play up to 25 spins per hour, and 972 spins divided by 25 spins per minute is 38.88 minutes. You don’t have a very long time to enjoy your $100 before it’s gone!
The worst part? Casinos often advertise that their “average payouts” are even as high as 95 percent. But beware: That number applies only to certain machines, and the casinos don’t rush to tell you which ones. You really need to read or ask about the fine print before playing. You can also try to check the information on the machine to see if it lists its payouts. (Don’t expect this information to be front and center.)
Implementing a simple strategy for slots
Advice varies regarding whether you should play nickel, quarter, or dollar slot machines and whether you should max out the number of coins you bet or not (you usually get to choose between one and five coins to bet on a standard slot machine). In this section, you’ll find a few tips for getting the most bang for your buck (or nickel) when playing slot machines.
Basically, when it comes to slot machines, strategy boils down to this: Know the rules, your probability of winning, and the expected payouts; dispel any myths; and quit while you’re ahead. If you win $100, cash out $50 and play with the rest, for example. After you lose a certain amount (determined by you in advance), don’t hesitate to quit. Go to the all-you-can-eat buffet and try your luck with the casino food; odds are it’s pretty good!
Choosing among nickel, quarter, and dollar machines
The machines that have the higher denominations usually give the best payouts. So, between the nickel and quarter slots, for example, the quarter slots generally give better payouts. However, you run the risk of getting in way over your head in a hurry, so don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. The bottom line: Always choose a level that you have fun playing at and that allows you to play for your full set time limit.
Deciding how many coins to play at a time
Math Of Slot Machines Free Play
When deciding on the number of coins you should play per spin, keep in mind that more is sometimes better. If the slot machine gives you more than two times the payout when you put in two times the number of coins, for example, you should max it out instead of playing single coins because you increase your chances of winning a bigger pot, and the expected value is higher. If the machine just gives you k times the payout for k coins, it doesn’t matter if you use the maximum number of coins. You may as well play one at a time until you can make some money and leave so your money lasts a little longer.
For example, say a quarter machine pays 10 credits for the outcome 777 when you play only a single quarter, but if you play two quarters, it gives you 25 credits for the same outcome. And if you play the maximum number of quarters (say, four), a 777 results in 1,000 credits. You can see that playing four quarters at a time gives you a better chance of winning a bigger pot in the long run (if you win, that is) compared to playing a single quarter at a time for four consecutive tries.
Math Of Slot Machines Games
The latest slot machine sweeping the nation is the so-called “penny slot machine.” Although it professes to require only a penny for a spin, you get this rate only if you want to bet one penny at a time. The machines entice you to bet way more than one penny at a time; in fact, on some machines, you can bet more than 1,000 coins (called lines) on each spin — $10 a shot here, folks. Because these machines take any denomination of paper bill, as well as credit cards, your money can go faster on penny machines than on dollar machines because you can quickly lose track of your spendings. Pinching pennies may not be worth it after all!