PLAYERS TALK

FAQ ABOUT CLASS III GAMING

We Review Some Of The Frequently Asked Questions From Our Readers

Q: If a slot hasn’t hit a jackpot in a while, isn’t it “due” to hit?

A: Every spin on a slot machine is independent of the spin before. The random number generator (RNG) software that picks which values will be displayed on screen after each spin has no ability to control the future based on past outcomes. All gaming regulations state, at the very minimum, that every single outcome on a slot machine must be random at all times and that no slot game will adjust the likelihood of an event happening based on the history of the previous games and/or payouts. No matter what anyone says, a slot is never “due” for a win, a bonus, or a jackpot! Never, ever, “chase” after anything.

Q: Does stopping video reels affect a game’s outcome?

A: No, there is absolutely no way to affect a game’s outcome by stopping the video reels! As soon as the “Spin” button on a slot is pressed, the result is determined by the RNG. The lights and animations that happen are only for entertainment purposes and the outcome of the spin doesn’t change no matter what a player does. The last bonus symbol can’t be “caught” in time by touching the screen before it passes by or a winning combination can’t occur by stopping the reels at precisely the right moment with the Stop/Spin feature.

Q: Can casinos “tighten” or “loosen” their slots whenever they want?

A: Many players believe that casinos just “tighten” or “loosen” their slots whenever they feel like it. Although this would be quite advantageous for the casino to be able to do this, it’s a very time-consuming process that needs to involve a lot of people. When a new slot machine arrives at a casino, it is initialized and the payback percentage is selected for the game. This is all done with a member of the overseeing agency recording all the settings of the game. It’s not in the best interest of any casino to change a game’s percentage to make it “tighter” or “looser” after the initial set-up because it requires downtime, permission and oversight by a gaming agency, and additional administrative hassle. No slot manager is ever going to want his or her slots off for more than a few minutes, let alone the days it would require to go through the rigorous routine of initializing a slot!

Q: Could that jackpot have been mine?

A: You leave a machine, somebody sits down after you and hits a bonus, a large win or, worse yet, a jackpot! Could that have been your luck had you not left the machine? Probably not! The RNG is constantly shuffling through all possible combinations and is perpetually doing so even when the machine is not being played. The RNG stops on a combination only when the player presses the “Spin” button. To say that both you and the person who sat down after you would have pressed the button at the exact same millisecond is very unlikely. Just consider the fact that the RNG can go through 100,000 or more combinations in just one second!

Q: Are your chances of losing greater when using free play?

A: Your chances of winning or losing using free play money for credits are no different than when you use real currency or tickets for credits. The slot machine does not change its behavior because of the type of credits inserted. Since the casino gaming industry is so heavily regulated here in the U.S., and in most other countries around the world, there are many rules in place which ensure free play is fair for all players. Here’s a hint: keep track of how much you are winning with your free play money. Assume you have $10 in free play and you place 50¢ wagers. This means the free play money will allow you to have 20 free spins. Count the 20 spins, stop playing, look at your credit meter and see how much you’ve won using your free play money. That money is yours to do what you want with!

Q: Are progressive jackpots set up by the casinos?

A: All progressive systems are rigorously tested by an independent laboratory before they make their way on to any casino floor. A progressive hits when the RNG selects the winning combination, so no one has any control or influence over when that will happen. A fact that most players don’t realize is that large progressive amounts (usually over $100,000) are paid by the slot machine manufacturers and not the casinos! When huge progressives hit, representatives from the slot manufacturer will come out and verify the win.

Q: How many spins does it take to get into a bonus?

A: Even though slot machines are based on random behavior, there is a mathematical model behind each game. The average number of spins (called the pullsto-hit) it takes to trigger a bonus varies from slot to slot, and it’s up to the game’s mathematician to determine how often a player will get into a bonus. Volatile slots can take over 180 spins, on average, to get into a bonus where less volatile slots have much lower pulls-to-hits of between 60 and 80 spins. Every slot enthusiast should be able to have a good idea of approximately how many spins it takes to get into their favorite slot’s bonus.

Q: When is the best time to visit a casino?

A: Many people believe that visiting a casino during a busy time will increase their likelihood of winning. And, the reason for this theory is because it just seems there are more jackpots, more lights flashing, and altogether more action going on when the casinos are packed. The misconception is that casinos intentionally make the machines pay out more when there are crowds to see the wins. This is false! The RNG in a slot machine doesn’t know how many people are in the casino. It’s just doing its job of picking numbers randomly. On the flip side, many people believe that the best time to visit a casino is during a weekday when there’s the least amount of people. Monday is a popular day for this myth since “the machines are full of money from all the weekend play and they are ready to pay out.” The other reason some people prefer to play during the week is because they feel casinos intentionally tighten the machines on the weekends. Again, the RNG doesn’t know which day of the week it is, how many people are in a casino at any given moment, or what the weather is like outside! The best time to visit a casino is when you feel the happiest and luckiest! It’s that simple! My team and I personally enjoy visiting casinos during quieter times to avoid the crowds and to increase our chances of getting the machines we enjoy playing.

Thank you to all our readers and fans for your questions and comments. We appreciate you! Write us at Editor@AZGamingGuide.com or by mail at Editor, AZ Gaming Guide, PO BOX 20636, Mesa, AZ, 85277. Have Fun & Good Luck! $