How Do Slot Machines Payout

The first time I saw people use member cards for slot games, I didn’t know what they were. I asked the man sitting next to me and he explained a few details about the rewards club. But he wasn’t using a card himself.

How Slot Machines & Coin Slots Work Slot machines are the most popular games in any casino, but a lot of people don’t have a clear understanding of how they work. In fact, some people have an out-and-out misunderstanding of how they work, while others are more than willing to take advantage of the gambling public’s ignorance in such matters. In the not-too-distant past, slot-machine players were the second-class citizens of casino customers. Jackpots were small, payout percentages were horrendous, and slot players just weren't eligible for the kind of complimentary bonuses - free rooms, shows, meals - commonly given to table players.

When I asked him why, he said he once had a card but stopped winning when he played with the card. He thought the casino was monitoring his playing and adjusting the slot game results.

This rumor has circulated both online and offline for many years. It’s normal for people to hear something repeatedly and wonder if there is truth to it. But I’ve never found any proof that casinos can change the way slot games play by flipping a switch.

What makes it difficult to combat this idea and other rumors about slot machines is the many different markets where you find them. Slot machine games are regulated by each country. Complying with different regulations may mean that a slot maker must change how its games work.

The clearest example I can give is how slot games are decided in the United States. Class II slot games decide the outcome on the basis of one random number then configure the display to match that result. Class III games use several random numbers to control the reels.

How Modern Slot Machine Games Work

There aren’t many physical slot games left. They’re all electronic now, and the electronic machines use random number generator chips to decide results.

But there is more involved than just generating a random number. The “slots” in the slot games are spaces on reels. The computers now simulate these reels.

Former and current slot machine manufacturing employees answer questions about game design on several websites including Quora. This answer was posted in September 2014, and it explains how the simulated reels are managed by software.

The programs to simulate the reels and assign the random numbers are etched into ROMs, Read-Only Memory chips. These ROMs must be physically changed by a technician to change how the game payout percentages work.

Legitimate Online Casino Operators Lease Games From Service Providers

There are over 2,000 online casinos. It’s impossible to be sure about how they all manage their slot games. But what is known about the most popular casinos is that they don’t run their slot games from their own servers.

Instead the online casinos lease game services from secure data centers. These gaming platforms are run by companies like Blue Ocean and EveryMatrix. Some of the game design companies also run their own servers, leasing resources to online casinos.

Although it would be simple for online gaming companies to switch things up, they would risk losing independent certifications if they allowed the games to be rigged.

There’s no need for casinos to adjust the percentages. They can order the percentage breakouts for house edge and return to player that they want to offer. This way, they maintain competitiveness and support long-term profitability.

Many Games Publish the Theoretical Return to Player

Some slot games include the theoretical return to player in their help screens.

If the players see that RTP has been adjusted downward, they can play elsewhere. If players only suspect that the RTP has been adjusted without proper notification, they might still leave.

Casinos need players. The best strategy to grow their customer base is to keep game rewards high enough to make the risk worthwhile.

Some Governments Regulate Return to Player Percentages

Licensed gaming casinos must comply with local laws governing their businesses. Some countries provide more regulation than others.

In the United States, commercial land-based casinos are regulated by their states. However, Native American casinos are mostly regulated by the tribal governments that own them. Each jurisdiction has the authority to set minimal RTP percentages to ensure the casinos don’t make too much money.

The 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act creates the legal framework used by tribes to protect their traditional gaming activities from state regulatory laws. The act also defines the three classes of gaming and how they are to be regulated.

Class II games are regulated by the tribes but only in states that allow any kind of gaming. Only Class III games are subject solely to state regulation.

True slot machine games are Class III games. Native American casinos offer Class II bingo games that are made to look like slot games. The game cabinets must display the casino bingo games that are used to determine wins.

Class II slot machines may have reels and bonus games but they’re not really slot machine games as defined by federal law.

How Do You Determine the Odds That a Slot Game Pays?

Casinos may or may not be required to declare the return to player for their slot games. Some casinos place a plate or sticker on their slot games with a notice. Other casinos leave it to the game help screens (thus, the manufacturers) to inform players.

The games’ odds may be reported as a theoretical RTP percentage, but they could also be reported as a ratio, similar to the way lottery games declare chances of winning a prize. Either way, these games don’t have to tell you how often to expect to win a prize of any amount.

Some players merely judge the looseness of slot games by how much money they win or how often they win as they play the games.

Some players judge the looseness of slot games by how popular they appear to be. This observational strategy assumes that the crowd knows more than the individual.

One of my friends tells me he only plays slot games with low jackpots. His reasoning is that players need to lose less money for someone to win $10,000 than for someone to win $20,000.

Slot Machines May Have Programmed Payout Limits

In another post on Quora from 2016, someone claimed to have industry experience in the Caribbean.

In his post, he said that a machine won’t pay more than it has accumulated after the first month of operation. That first month establishes the limit based on the profit the machine made.

The system is designed to be random within a range of percentages. The software decides when and how much to pay but won’t go over the monthly limit.

It should be obvious that this limit could be reset.

The Games Are Designed to Be as Random as Possible

People who design and repair slot machine games express much trust in the random number generator chips these games use. The RNGs, as they are called, use the latest available algorithms at the time they are manufactured.

Math has not yet progressed to the point where truly random numbers can be generated. Mechanical devices require input from an outside source to be truly random.

The way slot game designers handle this limitation is they design the chips to generate thousands of random numbers every second. The random numbers each take a turn at being available for use by the game.

Because of the percentage payouts and internal limits they use, slot machine games don’t have to be reprogrammed to improve casino profits. Everything is designed to run with as little intervention as possible.

And that is better for the casino because the more they can intervene in a game’s function, the more likely they’ll face regulation over that intervention.

Casino game techs often say that replacing chips in slot machines must follow a special procedure (in the United States). They are closely monitored and every part must be accounted for. So, it’s less expensive for casinos if they don’t tweak the games.

Conclusion

An honest casino doesn’t need to control who wins at a slot game. They already control who can play a slot game. They can ask anyone to leave for any reason.

Naturally, casinos don’t do that. Instead. they purchase gaming systems that are designed to create an entertaining experience for patrons while legally retaining a profitable percentage of wagers.

No matter how much one’s frustration tempts a player into wondering about Big Brother Casino tweaking the game, it’s more profitable for the casino to let nature take its course.

For online slots nuts and enthusiasts, the flash of slots games are known for coming in a variety of themes, payouts, paylines and betting platforms, each featuring staggering arrays of winning potential ready to reward with the next big jackpot.

However, you might wonder what it takes to beat these enticing machines, because developing an effective slot winning strategy is not always self-evident. After all, anyone can spend hours on the internet seeking the latest slot machine tricks to put more weight on their bankroll, and there are many slot machine strategy articles out there, but not to worry, we’ve got you covered.

The reason slot machines are an overwhelming favorite at both online and land-based casinos is because they require no skill to play. Slot machines utilize random number generator (RNG) software, so each time you spin the wheels winning is a random event.

However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t tricks to help you win at slots. Here are a few tweaks to help you up the pay percentages. Without further ado, see our tips to on how to win at slots!

Slot tip #1: Know your limits and play within your budget

Not setting a gambling budget is perhaps one of the most over-looked features in gambling, and one that we recommend you not avoid. To play slots correctly, it is critical to set a loss limit. Sure, casinos are highly entertaining places, and it is easy to let the gambling bug take hold, but without a loss limit you may end up with more spills than thrills if you can’t call it quits when the chips are low.

Stinkin Rich is one of the most popular slot for casino newbies

Players love to win, and studies have shown that when you are winning you are more likely to fail if you do not quite ahead of time. Before you head to the casino floor, set a loss that you can afford, whether that figure is $100, $200, $500, $1000 or more; if you’re having a bad night or even week, don’t exceed your limit, because the longer you play the better your chances are of losing your money. Never chase your losses.

Gambling is a great source of entertainment, and on a good night, there’s no better feeling than winning big, but be sure to play responsibly and not overdo it. Playing slots effectively takes patience, but if the rounds are not in your favor, do yourself a favor and take a break.

Slot tip #2: Keep an eye on the edge

Every player should be mindful of those every looming house edges, but for slots games this differs depending on where you play. On average, the house edge for real money slots games will fluctuate based on where you play and the type of slot machine you are playing, anywhere between 85-98%.

This factor relies greatly on manufacturer or slot machine operator, and can be found online for land-based slot machines with a little bit of digging, as casinos are required by law to keep a record of the payouts. However, if you are playing free slots online, then this factor is not exactly critical.

Slot tip #3: The higher the denomination the higher the payout

The numbers don’t lie, despite the fact that many nickel or penny slot machines will advertise true odds or over 100% pay percentages, in reality, you’re better off playing higher denomination machines.

It’s common sense, while penny slots only offer a fraction of return in dollars, it makes more fiscal sense to invest your time into higher denomination slot machines. Statistically their win potential is more favorable, and can turn that $20 or credit wager into hundreds, if not thousands, or in some cases millions!

Higher denomination machines are programmed with higher payout percentages simply because each wager is higher. Granted, the house odds still apply, and in terms of probability, the more you play on a given slot machine the more your inevitable payout will resemble the casino edge. However, the house edge does not take into account short-term anomalies, which means that after just a short period you could win big.

Slot tip #4: Bet maximum credits

Although you are not able to influence the outcome of the spin, one slot machine trick is to max your wagers. Betting maximum credits is the best slot machine strategy, because you do hit that winning payline combination you’ll receive the maximum amount of reward.

Statistically speaking, even if you are seeing minimal return, you don’t want to start out by betting small, because you are more likely to make up for losses if you continue to bet max and win. Because once that big win occurs, and it will, you will more than make up for lost dividends. Picture hitting a line multiplier or a bonus when you’ve already hit $700 on a winning payline, with max betting you’ll take your gambling bankroll to new levels.

Slot tip #5: Avoid progressive slots, play random jackpots

Gladiator slot offers a fair chance for huge jackpot

There is an unspoken rift between slots enthusiasts, which boils down to which type of slot machine is preferred, one with a fixed or a slot with progressive jackpot. However, we suggest going random; this is a fixed slot machine with a random jackpot payout.

In a nutshell, fixed slot machines have a jackpot amount that does not change, while progressive jackpot slots require more playtime and coin from other players. In other words, the jackpot of a progressive slot machine will fluctuate, i.e. increase or decrease, depending on how many people play that particular slot. It’s accumulative.

However, don’t be a fool and fall into the progressive jackpot pool, because your chances of winning are not good. Progressive jackpots might sound enticing, but the odds of hitting are astronomically high.

What Percentage Do Slot Machines Payout

We suggest going random, because the best slot strategy is to choose a fixed machine with a random jackpot. Although many players will argue the way to become super-rich is to go progressive, on the contrary, statistics have shown that random jackpot slots have better odds than the lottery, while progressive slot machines can equal lottery odds depending on the frequency of play. In terms of winning, that is one heck of a long shot.

Slot tip #6: Sign up for slot or casino bonuses and rewards

If there is one thing that you wish to take away from these casino slot machine secrets, the number one seller that keeps players coming back to their favorite gaming sites are the added incentives, i.e. rewards for online players, and the best online casino bonuses available at their choice of casino.

One of the best things about playing slots is to take advantage of the latest casino bonuses offered. These benefits can range from new joiner bonuses, match deposit bonuses, free spins, exclusive VIP packages, holiday and weekly promotions and customized incentives. Loyal players can also sign up for player benefit or rewards cards, which determine rewards based on frequency of play, even if you do not win.

Our recommendation is to register for a player account when playing free or real money slots, because the rewards can be substantial; allowing your gambling dollar to stretch a lot further than playing without these bonuses and rewards offers.

After all, if you are going to spend your hard-earned money gambling, why not utilize bonuses when signing up. Some online casinos will even give you points back as cash, or offer customizable options. It is a surefire way to win at slots, giving you a more consistent percentage of return.

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Slot tip #7: Play around and don’t “tough it out”

If you’re on a slot machine that doesn’t seem to be paying out, then it really might be time to consider changing machines or switching to a different online slots game. The best slot machine strategy for a dread losing streak is simply to move on to a different slots game. Since each spin is a unique event, feeding more coins into a losing machine in no way increases your chances of winning, although technically it won’t hurt either.

However, browsing around and finding another type of game that varies based on payline or theme just might be the simple tweak you need to help break the cycle of loss. Toughing it out won’t do you any good, and can often be a waste of time, and in the worst case money. Slot machines are about feeling, not science.

Slot tip #8: Play the casino – not the slot

Location. Location. Location. This is often what you’ll hear a realtor tell you, however, you might not be aware that this also pertains to slot machines. For instance, did you know that if you are playing slots in the U.S., you can redeem some of the best value bonuses of any players throughout the globe.

When playing online it’s best to seek out the slots site or online casino that rewards you best, and many of them can be found with a little bit of digging. You can take advantage of the various factors offered at each casino, and find the one that suits you best, thus multiplying your bankroll tenfold and no strings attached or hidden red tape.

Pro Tip: be on the lookout for a slots site that offers many options, not a little, and if you do decide to seek out those bonuses, be sure to get ones with low wagering requirements as well as no maximum cash-out limits.

Unfortunately, many online casinos will try to trick online slots newbies with massive bonus offers or incentives, but the fact of the matter is that they will hide the big deposit required or playthrough requirements, or in the worst-case scenario offer absolutely no free slots options! If you are playing slots for real money, be sure to find a wager requirement of 10 times or less.

Many casinos have wagering requirements that can be as high as 50x, which means that for the case of say, a $100 deposit, you won’t receive your winnings or be able to withdraw until played at least $5,000 in bets! The phrase “max cash-out” tied to a bonus is also a bad one. There are few things worse than a casino putting a limit on how much you can win because of hidden limitations. It would be like winning a jackpot and only receiving a fraction in return.

Slot tip #9: Find a slot machine that suits you

50 Lions Slot offers huge winnings

Sometimes if you are uncertain, it helps to head to a land-based or choice of online casino and browse around. That is the beauty of playing options! If you are looking for games with a maximum jackpot or for instance, games that extend play with frequent small wins, then check the slot first before you decide to play.

Finding a suitable game is more than just picking a theme and style. To find out how to win at slots, you need to invest a little time into the payouts. After all, slots machines come in all sorts of platforms, but it helps to follow a few guidelines. For instance, classic three-reel slot machines tend to put more emphasis on their top jackpots, but will come at the cost of lower hit frequencies for winning combinations and more losing spins, simply because they offer less in-game features. In other words, these types of machines can give you the best chance to win big, but also a chance to lose fast.

Another example is video slots that feature touch/click screens for picking gift boxes or other rewarding game icons to reveal bonuses. Although these machines come with higher hit frequencies with many small wins for extended play, you are nowhere near getting a big jackpot, or at least it is more difficult to do so. Any slot machine that comes with a more stunning array of bonuses or free spins, generally video slots, will fail to deliver the caliber of jackpot as three-reel games do.

However, the best thing about selecting a slot machine that offers free spins or free games is that when you are utilizing the slots free games or free spins mode, you have the chance of winning anything from multipliers to the top jackpot, and at no extra cost! This is no guarantee however, because you could also walk away empty-handed with slots free spins.

Slot tip #10: Choose the best online casino

It should come as no surprise that there are a ton of different online casinos out there, and after doing a little research you’ll find that it might be difficult to find the right one. In fact, there are so many that you might simply feel overwhelmed, but if casino bonuses aren’t enough to add ammunition to your winning slot machine strategy, then you want to add slot game variety.

Only the best gaming sites offer a wide selection of games, satisfying the hardest of slot machine enthusiasts with layers of immersive game play. For slots, you want to find an online casino that runs the gamut of types of slot machines, from classic three-reel and fruit machines to the latest graphics and themes in video slots.

How Are Slot Machine Payouts Calculated

Keep an eye out for all ways pays, spectacular in-game features like free games and hidden features, doubling wilds, a range of betting options, and much more. All of these are critical in broadening the spectrum of chance on how to win on slot machines. Free play and practice mode help you improve your skills, so you don’t have to risk coins every time you choose to spin the wheels. More on that later.

Slot tip #11: Take advantage of no deposit codes

No deposit bonus codes are the online casino equivalent of free prizes. Have you ever been to your favorite retail store to find a “buy one get one” deal? Well, no deposit codes are even better. While many online casinos offer staggering bonuses and promotion options, whether daily or weekly.

No deposit bonuses are essentially free money. If you can find a code or offering that gives you a free chip or certain amount of spins without having to pay for it, then you’ve found the perfect chance to go all in and win money without having to spend a dime.

Sites that offer no deposit codes often require that you register for an account, but this usually cost zero money, so your chance to win at slots without the risk of losing real money is 100%. Do a little research, invest some time into finding this holy grail of casino bonuses, and you will not regret it. Or just simply pick the bonuses Slotu has specially selected for you!

Slot tip #12: Go free with instant play or practice mode

We all like to win at slots, but one of the best ways to enjoy slots and test your slot machine strategy is to play at online casino that allows you to play for free using and instant play feature or practice mode.

If you don’t feel comfortable risking your money playing slots, but want to develop an effective strategy on how to win on slot machines, then playing free is the way to go. It is the perfect way to study the paytables and get a feel for each slot game.

Our aforementioned slot machine tips will help you when playing in free mode, and are sure to make you an expert in not time on how to win on slot machines. It is a free lesson in putting the above tips into practice without the risk. The games are still highly entertaining thanks to the free spin features, slots with bonus rounds and multipliers, which vary for each slot machine.

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Slot tip #13: Mind the paytables and check volatility

Jak the Ripper Slot Machine Paytable

This pro tip is sure to help you stand out above the rest of the players, because the fact is that all slot machines have a set degree of volatility. What is volatility you ask? Slots with high volatility are machines that although do not pay out as often, but pay more when they do form winning symbol combinations. Slot machines with low volatility on the other hand will pay out smaller wins with higher frequency.

The true slot machine secret is always to bet high on a high volatility slot machine. The trick is to find these machines, which factors in a little bit of searching. A good place to start is to see each machines multiplier features, listed paytable and the top award. These usually are listed in the rules for online slot games or on the machine itself if you are playing at a land-based casino. The higher the multipliers and the top award means the higher the volatility, which is good. This industry secret is known amongst professional slots players, and is one slots machine tip that is sure to get you potentially massive wins.

However, this does not mean that you should avoid low volatility slot machines altogether as it is often better to bet lower i.e. on a lower denomination machine if your initial bankroll is small.

Once you have managed to build up a batter bankroll from those handsome high frequency payouts head over to the range of the high volatility machines and max your bets. You could be around the corner from a huge jackpot. Putting in the time to do your homework dramatically increase your odds to win that way you can avoid rookie mistakes and sucker bets.

Slot tip #14: The myth of loose slots

Perfect slot for casino beginners – Monopoly Slot by IGT

For our last slot machine “do” tip we bring you the myth of loose slots. We have all heard the stories of these fabled slots paying out big, but as it turns out this is actually more fact than fiction. Although it is hard to verify for online slots games, there is evidence to suggest that land-based casinos indeed do utilize slot machines that pay out more frequently and in higher numbers than other machines.

The question remains: where can you find these highly coveted slot machines? All industry insiders and casino experts are willing to say about loose slots is that they do not place loose slots machines close to one another. Our suggestion is that when you head to a casino play on slot machines on the ends of a row of machines.

There is a high chance that you will win more if you believe in the lore. An even faster method would be to befriend a casino regular, someone who knows the ins and outs of the particular casino that you are choosing to visit.

If they’re feeling generous, there’s a chance they’ll give you a loose slot machine tip. It wouldn’t hurt to give them a twenty if they turn out to be right. As for playing slots online, a good slot machine strategy would be to browse around. You never know, which one might be paying out with more frequency than the rest unless you try them out first hand.

Slot tip bonus: What not to do when playing slots

Don’t cheat. It’s that simple. With all of the real money that slots have to offer, some people think going the “easy” route to win at slots is to cheat. Although this isn’t really an issue when it comes to online slots, you might be surprised to learn that land-based casinos lose hundreds of millions of dollars each year in cheating, especially in slots.

Slots cheaters are looking for the fastest way to make a buck, and are willing to go to some outrageous lengths to accomplish this feat, from light-rods and magnets to devices known as “top-bottom joints”. Even the use of strings on old machines, cheating by manipulating chips on newer slot machine software or rigged inside jobs through by means of bribing casino employees have all be employed.

Even some operators have been caught rigging machines in order to swindle would-be winners of their hard-earned dollars. This is why implore you to use your common sense and to go with trusted land-based and online casino operations.

With today’s technology however, casino security is getting even better, and the top casinos have the means to catch cheaters in the act through use of face-recognition tech, infrared cameras, body sensors, and a list of the various devices used to blacklist any player with the guts to against the house through the use of illegal means.

In addition, the penalties are stiff with some cases of cheating, for instance in Nevada ending in multiple years in prison to the perpetrators. Our recommendation to win at slots is to do it according to the slot machine tips and tricks we’ve listed to earn big bucks the right way.

After all, there is no real reason to cheat, because the risk is not worth the reward. There is plenty of opportunity and ways how to beat slot machines legitimately, so why waste time trying to research nefarious methods.

How Do Slot Machines Payout

Slot machines offer players a fantastic opportunity to win with each spin of the reels, through bonus offerings, incredible in-game features and line and bet multipliers, or simply winning by getting lucky the old-fashioned way. Slot machines are a phenomenal way to spend your time, offering hours of entertainment and chances to win big. Now that you know how to win on slot machines, it’s time to put your repertoire of skills to the test!

How Are Slot Machine Payouts Determined

Happy spinning!

What Are Slot Machine Payouts

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