Dear Mark,
I am hoping you will elaborate a bit on the Slot Machine
RNG (Random Number Generator). I am very familiar with how it works. I
know those people that say, "I JUST got up from that machine, and that
lady sat down, and BAAM! She hits the jackpot! I could have won that if I
stayed a bit longer!" I know this is a totally false statement (well, not
totally as it COULD have randomly happened to him had he been there) but
the fact that the one lady hit it and he didn't is because the RNG came up
with the winning Jackpot combo at that precise moment in time.
The thing that I was always confused about is WHEN the RNG stops and
displays the pre-determined outcome. Meaning: If I put 1 coin in a
3-coin machine, then wait a second and put in 2 more coins, THEN hit
"spin"...was the RNG continuously changing until I hit the "Spin"
button? Did it stop the second the first coin was plopped in? Did it
stop changing when the third and final coin was plopped in but before
the "Spin" button was hit? I have always been curious at what point does
the RNG stop...with the coins being dropped (if so, which one? first or
third?) or with the pressing of the "Spin" button. Tim H.
Tim, meet Tom.
Dear Mark,
Something I have wondered about: When is the result of
a spin on a machine determined? Is it when the first, second or third
coin is inserted or when the "maximum bet" button is pushed? Tom M.
Tom meet Tim - oh, you've met.
North America quarters (talk about your puns!) some 700,000 plus slot
machines. More than two-thirds of the market for these one-armed bandits
is under the control of International Gaming Technology (NYSE: IGT) In
view of their dominance, I will have their machines in mind as I answer
your questions.
(Taking a lesson about full disclosure from current
events, I did once weasel my way into an IGT party at a gaming
convention, where I drank my fair share and hit the chow middling hard.
But you see, judge, it's just a wash my mentioning them.) But also note,
Tim and Tom, IGT is not the only manufacturer of slot machines. Other
manufacturers could have their thingamajigs designed to operate
differently.
Back to the main question: The RGN is constantly - well, every
millisecond - spitting out random numbers, literally thousands of random
number sets per second.
The particular set selected by the RGN determines the outcome of each
spin. It does this at the precise moment when the first coin taps the
whoozis inside the slot. (Forgive the technical language.) This is not
dependent on any factors of game play, such as how many coins are bet,
whether the player is winning too much money, or using Cajon voodoo or
psychic trembles to decide when to hit the draw button.
With all IGT games, when the "start deal" or "bet" button is pushed
while playing credits, or the FIRST coin is inserted, the randomly
selected outcome has already been determined, and the machine just sits
around for the next bunch of milliseconds waiting for you, Tim and Tom,
to decide what you'll do next.
Regarding the boon-or-bust aftermath, it's all the same whether you
deposit one coin or the maximum number of coins. I get a letter a week
touting the notion that the number of coins slotted somehow influences
the result. Tain't so, friends. The outcome has been established before
that first coin stops jingling. If you put in one coin and get a royal
flush or a mega-jackpot, you would have gotten that same royal flush or
those three centerline treasure chests if you had put in three or five
coins.
Finally, gaming regulations at places where you're likely to play -
Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi and other gaming jurisdictions that
pattern after those states - the law requires that all slot machines
have random outcomes.
But be aware - there are casinos operating in places that do not have
such high-minded gaming regulations. Some Indian casinos and cruise
ships operating in international waters are examples of casinos not
bound by stateside regulations.
Gambling quote of the week: A wise player ought to accept his
throws and score them, not bewail his luck. - Sophocles (496-406
B.C.)
