How are Slot Machines Programed?

Most people aren’t really concerned with the technicalities of how slot machines work and how they are programmed. For them, the most important issue is that the game is entertaining and pays out well.

Now, I’m not a very technically minded person myself but I think that if slot players had a basic understanding of how slot machines are programmed, they’d appreciate these games even more, and perhaps dispel certain myths that surround the slots industry.

Some of the most common myths revolve around the fact that the result of a spin could be changed easily by the online casino. As such, there are misconceptions that the casino can determine high and low pay cycles, loose and tight machines and the general outcome of the slot machine.

To prove that this is not true, we need to delve a little into the technical aspect of things. Slot machines use something called a Random Number Generator that affects how online slots work. Software RNG’s create numbers that are random – essentially working by taking a number that is constantly changing that is subject to a mathematical equation. This in turn generates a specific output. Are you still with me?

This output then refers to a slot game’s outcome that is shown on the slot machine’s screen. A behind-the-scenes note is that while you are waiting to see the outcome of the last reel spun, the result had already been decided.

The bottom line is that numbers created by an RNG are absolutely impossible to predict and obviously not possible to fix.

For that reason, online casino players should aim to play at sites that are willing to be absolutely transparent regarding their RNG’s. Good sites such as Platinum Play Casino and others who are accredited by eCOGRA have no problem submitting their RNG’s for evaluation by an independent third party to confirm that they are fair and truly random.

Providing you with peace of mind is a sign that an online casino is serious about making its clients feel comfortable at its site. If they are going to go to the trouble to have their slots software tested for fairness and display the results on their site, then you know you’ve come to the right place.

You can also see that by understanding how slot machines are programmed, we’ve managed to dispel some myths along the way. The most important one is that online slot games don’t have hot or cold cycles, and you stand just as much chance of winning the jackpot than the guy who played before you or the one who will be playing after you.