Are casino slot machines based really on random outcome or are they programmed?

Question

Are casino slot machines based really on random outcome or are they programmed?

Answer 1

Completely random. The results are decided by a Random Number Generator also known as a Linear Congruential Generator. The math can be a bit tricky, but once you've figured out how they work, you will understand that they are, indeed, random. Check it out with Google

Answer 2

all slots in casinos are random. hold percentages are state regulated(check the state gambling board for the %s )a slot will pay out a given % over a period of time ,in general that period of time is considered to be five years.

Answer 3

The answers are Yes and Yes. Your pull is random, and everyone else's, but its still programmed to meet a certain goal payout.

Some slots have better payouts but they are all usually pretty bad, like 5% or higher. What this means is that the best you can ever do if you played a particular amount, like 100 pulls, is lose 5% of your money. Course quitting at the right time and you can walk away, or the big jackpot, but for every big jackpot there are thousands of losers.

Answer 4

If I were building one, it would be totally random; it's trivially easy to do.

Answer 5

They are completely random.

A random number is generated when you hit the start button.  This random number relates to a payout table.  The payout table is set up to give the appropriate house edge.

Here's a really simple example.  Imagine that a machine had a payout table like this:

1 - $4

2 - $0

3 - $0

4 - $0

5 - $0

So in this simple example, let's say each spin costs $1.  A random number is generated when the machines starts between 1 and 5.  So this particular machine is going to spin a win on average one in five times.

So over time a typical win would happen every five spins, meaning that the player would lose $5 and then win $4.  So the house edge would be 20%.

Of course slots are a lot more complex than this with a random number choosing one of millions of pre-programmed outcomes.

By carefully designing the internal pay tables the house edge can be set to whatever the casinos want.  Some machines might be as good as 1%, or as bad as 10% or more.

Because of this it is possible to win the jackpot three times in a row.  Of course, it's insanely unlikely.

What it boils down to is the pure luck of hitting that start button at exactly the right millisecond.

It has nothing to do with the machine being 'due' or if it has recently paid out.

Answer 6

It is programmed.  You could sit on the same machine for 2 hours and not win and the next eprson could press the button once, straight after you and win.  They are programmed to take in more than they pay out.  These machines will always make money for the casino.  other forms of gambling you have a fair (but slim) chance of winning - these machines don't give you a chance at all!  It will pay out when it is programmed to pay out!  This is a true story.  My husband's friend played all night on these machines.  He ended up loosing about $500.  My husband is against these machines.  He will play poker or black jack but not these machines.  He found $1 on the floor of the casino that night.  He picked it up and put it in the first $1 machine he found.  With one press of the button he won $50.  He took it out and waled away with $50 for playing for 5 seconds.  His friend played all night and lost all the money he had.  The machine my husband put his dollar into was just programmed to pay out at the next hit.  But as you can see by his friend that that doesn't happen often.

Answer 7

It takes strategy to get lucky with a slot machine. Keep an eye out for "advantageous" machines and you might just hit the jackpot. Play in person at your local casino, in Vegas, or at a trusted Online Casino.

Answer 8

random and luck.