 
Slot Machine Myths
and Misconceptions
The
dictionary defines the following:
Myth: A popular belief that has
grown around something. A traditional
story to explain a practice, belief
or natural phenomenon.
Misconception: Something interpreted
incorrectly.
Both of these words
are interchangeable when discussing
the beliefs some people have about
slot machines. Most people don't
understand the inner working of
the slots so it is easy to explain
a loss or a win with some false
logic. Like any other "wives
tales" these are passed from
person to person until they become
gospel. Most of these myths and
misconceptions are harmless but
they can add to your frustration
and take away some of the enjoyment
from your casino visit. Lets take
a look at a few of the most popular
myths and the truth behind them.
If someone hits
a jackpot on the machine you just
left, you would have gotten that
jackpot if you kept playing.
False. The slot machines have a
computer chip inside that runs the
Random Number Generator (RNG). The
RNG is continuously cycling through
numbers even when the machine is
not being played. These numbers
correspond to the stops on the wheel
that display the winning or losing
symbols you see when the reels stop.
When you hit the spin button or
pull the handle, the RNG picks the
combination at that given microsecond.
If you had stayed at the machine
it is highly unlikely that you would
have stopped the RNG at the exact
nano second to display that combination
of numbers. In the time it takes
to talk with a friend or sip your
drink the RNG has cycled through
thousands of combinations.
Casinos can loosen
or tighten the slot machines with
the flip of a switch.
The slot machines have a computer
chip in them that determines the
pay back percentage. These are preset
at the factory. In order for a casino
to change the pay back, they would
have to change the chip. In most
jurisdictions there is paper work
that has to be filled and submitted
to the Casino Control Commission
for each machine if the chip is
changed. It is time consuming and
the chips are very expensive. For
this reason, it is more economical
to decide on the pay back percentages
before purchasing the machines and
having the factory ship them with
the proper chip.
A machine that has
not been paying is due to hit.
There is no truth that a machine
is due to hit. Each spin is a random
occurrence and has no bearing on
what has happened previously. Don't
ever play more than you should because
of this myth. It will be devastating
to your bankroll if you do.
The temperature
of the coins played will affect
the way a machine pays.
The machine is not affected by temperature.
It doesn't matter if you play hot,
cold, old or new coins. The coin
slot is a mechanical device and
has no feeling. There is one potential
danger with this myth. I once saw
a fellow burn his fingers while
trying to heat up a coin with a
lighter.
If you use your
slot club card the machine will
pay back less.
In my opinion, this is the most
damaging myth of them all. There
is no link between the card reader
and the RNG. By not using you player's
card you are denying yourself valuable
comps and sometimes cash back from
the casino. I will discuss slot
club benefits in a future article.
Until
next time, remember:
"Luck comes and goes...Knowledge
stays forever."
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