Online slots work with a Random Number Generator, also known as RNG. This is software that produces completely random outcomes. So each spin is independent of the previous or next spin.
According to iGaming specialist Andy Brennan of All The Chips, the idea of a “hot” or “cold” slot machine is nonsense. Yet many players firmly believe in it.
Why so many people think a slot machine is “on blast”
Many gamblers think a slot machine is more likely to work after a few losing streaks. Or that a slot machine should ‘start giving’ because it hasn’t paid out anything for a long time. This thinking is persistent and also lives in casinos themselves.
It affects how much players deposit, how long they keep playing and which games they choose.
But the numbers show something else, according to Brennan.
What players don’t know about how slots work
Each spin is as random as the previous one. The RNG determines the outcome within a split second. There is no memory or pattern involved. There is also an RTP percentage: that is the expected payout percentage over the long term.
But that says nothing about what you win or lose during a session. Yet few people are really aware of it.
Why game makers and casinos usually don’t explain
Slots are meant to be entertaining. If you start explaining everything, some of the excitement might disappear. The illusion of control, or the feeling that luck is close at hand, holds players longer.
‘And let’s face it: the thought that “it has to happen now” makes the game more exciting.’
Yet it raises questions.
Could openness actually give players more confidence?
If players better understand how slots work, they can make better choices. Perhaps they will then choose games that better suit their playing style. Or they might know when it is smart to quit.
Some experts think more transparency actually creates more trust. And that trust is important for the long term.
Would you play differently if you knew this?
The big question, of course, is: will this change your behaviour? Will you still get behind a slot machine that you think is about to explode? Or will you more consciously choose a game that really suits you?
It’s something to think about. Because even though it’s all about luck, a little knowledge can’t hurt.