How those gambling gizmos
work
9 June 2003
By Mark Pilarski
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.)
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