Slot Machine Myths

By: Jason Hahn

Slot machines are a popular draw in casinos around the world, and even though each country has their different varieties of slot machines, the basic notion behind them all is the same. Traditionally, slot machines are coin-operated machines with three or more reels that spin whenever a lever on the side of the machine is pulled and released. Slot machines are affectionately nicknamed “one-armed bandits” because of their one-armed appearance.

Newer variations of the machine allow players to insert cash or even paper tickets with barcodes in order to play slot machines. Some of the more recent slot machines will even have a touch screen that starts the reels spinning.

Now, on to debunking some of the more popular myths about slot machines:

– The average slot machine never gets hot or cold. This is because the odds of a person hitting a winning combination of reels are determined by a random number generator that is built into the slot machine’s software. The odds never change.

Amusement with prizes (AWP) machines in Britain are the exception to this rule. These AWP machines are progressive, meaning that the chances of someone hitting a winning combination increases over time if the machine has not paid out yet. Some of these machines will also grant winning combinations if it will help the machine to meet certain payout percentages.

– Though there is a logic behind where slot machines are placed out on the gambling floor, higher paying machines are not placed in areas with more traffic. Machines with similar payout percentages are put together.

– The temperature of the coins inserted into the slot machine will not affect the payout received. Slot machines do not sense temperature and payout different percentages depending on the temperature of the coins used.

– Using a slot club card will not affect the slot machine’s payout. The card only allows the casino to monitor how much a player gambles with and the corresponding amenities that should be granted.

– In most jurisdictions, slot machines cannot have their payout percentages altered depending on the time of day or day of the week by punching in some numbers into a computer. To do this would require the replacement of parts inside of the slot machine and in many areas it would also require regulatory supervision.

Once again, British AWP machines is an exception to this rule, as these machines have percentage keys and dip switches, and changing the percentages does not require any supervision.

– Contrary to popular belief, a slot machine that has not paid out in a long time is not “due to hit.” It is impossible to determine when a machine is due to hit since each spin is a random event and has no dependency on the spin before.

Slot Machine Characteristics

By: Ryan D.

There are so many different online slots available today. We look at the
basic characteristics of these virtual slot machines.

We’d be wasting your time if we attempted to categorize all the types of slot machines. Every casino offers a wide range of slots to attract gamblers. Slots come in hundreds of types and variations, from single line and 3 line, to 3 or 5 reel, and from bonus games to progressives, to mention just some.

It makes more sense to look at the typical characteristics of slot machines.

Number of Reels

There are usually 3 or 5 reels in a slot machine. Early slots had
only three reels. We remember them as “classic” or “regular” machines.

Today, 5 reel slots are common, and they generally feature more than one payline (see below).

Number of Rows

Slots machines feature one, two or several horizontal rows marking positions on the vertical reels.

Extra rows, usually one above and one below the payout display, tempt players with a view of how narrowly they might have missed a win.

Number of Pay Lines

There can be one or more paylines crossing the reels. It’s common to see 3, 5, 9, 15
and more recently even 20 lines. For a winning combination, the designated symbols must fall on a line, often the central horizontal line.

There’s only one payline crossing the three reels on a classic machine. You can bet one or more coins per spin but only the center line pays, and increasing your bet doesn’t improve your chances of winning.

On a slot with more than one payline, you can bring additional lines into play by upping the number of coins you play. You don’t have to bet on every available payline.

Suppose you’re on a 3 line slot and you’re required to insert one coin to play the center line, a second coin to play the line above center and a third coin to play the line below center. If you now bet only one coin and the reels display a winning combination on the line above or below the center, you don’t win anything because you played too few coins.

By offering diagonal matches, slots with 5 reels can have from 5 to 20 paylines.

Denomination of one coin

There are slot machines which accept denominations from as little as 5 cents to $5. High
roller slots may accept “coins” with a denomination of as much as $500, although
these are few and far between. Some online casinos have special limits set up
for their big players to accommodate large bets..

Number of coins that can be played

The maximum bet on classic slots is usually three coins, but there are some slots that accept a 2-coin maximum bet.
Again, video slots have changed this characteristic dramatically, with some
multi line video slots now accepting up to 10 coins per line.

Ryan is editor in chief at http://www.new-online-slots, where you can learn more about online slot machines and
online slots casinos.