Q&A Ask Me Anything about Slots (AMA) 2020 with Trancemonkey

[Itaghai]

3. They are totally random, but they are based on a set of rules that ensure the Casino always wins overall. Best example I can give is the following.

I have a dice. It is random.
You pay £1 to play
If you roll a 6, I will give you £5, anything else and I keep your money.
The result is random, but statistically, the RTP is 80%, because 6 rolls cost you £6 but statistically will only return £5.

So it's the rules that introduce the concept of RTP on to a truly random result.

4. No. TRTP isn't a 'thing', it's just a result of the mathematical model of the slot (see the video).

5. We used to use Flash for the front end and Java for the back end. When Flash died, it was HTML5 for the front end (which is still true) and Java for the back end. I imagine Java is still a popular choice, but basically any language that can build a web service would do.

Going back to question 3, I have watched the video and understand what you said, but it also might depend on the provider, right?
I say that because I have seen a video of a slot developer, however, it was for physical slots in the casinos where the slot had a "cashier" per bet size and will balance the "RTP" accordingly.
Another thing I'm aware of and that's why I said it might not be totally random is that some providers track the number of spins, for example, Pragmatic Play has a counter for each spin you do:


Regarding question 5, the software, the backend isn't an issue for me, I was wondering about the most common engines for the frontend, once when browsing the Relax-Gaming careers I saw two engines, pixi.js and Phaser, was wondering if what is the most common in the current days for slot developing.
But since you used to use flash, I think you might have the industry few years ago already.

 

[The Reel Story]

Going back to question 3, I have watched the video and understand what you said, but it also might depend on the provider, right?
I say that because I have seen a video of a slot developer, however, it was for physical slots in the casinos where the slot had a "cashier" per bet size and will balance the "RTP" accordingly.
Another thing I'm aware of and that's why I said it might not be totally random is that some providers track the number of spins, for example, Pragmatic Play has a counter for each spin you do:
View attachment 179918

Regarding question 5, the software, the backend isn't an issue for me, I was wondering about the most common engines for the frontend, once when browsing the Relax-Gaming careers I saw two engines, pixi.js and Phaser, was wondering if what is the most common in the current days for slot developing.
But since you used to use flash, I think you might have the industry few years ago already.
View attachment 179919

Yeh, I'm out of the industry for 7-8 years now. No idea what frameworks and libraries are commonly used for the front end dev, but knowing how the tech industry is, I doubt there are many common threads hehe. Just whatever the company feels like.

As for the RTP stuff. Land based have a concept of 'compensated' machines, where indeed they do modify gameplay to 'target' and RTP (primarily because the physical coins in were used to pay out, so the machine had to ensure it always had enough money inside it to pay a win).. That isn't a thing online though, or for land based video slots.

THe spin counter could be used for all sorts. Feature progression in a slot. Spin history, regulatory info (how much you've won/lost). It's not used for wins/losses though

 

[millieroute]

Hi all. New here to the forum and really appreacite all the info everyone has given from their own experiences and background. I’m still trying to navigate and maneuver around the site correctly. Apologies if I’m on the wrong thread to ask.. and I’m not sure if I can properly explain it through my words, but

off a medium vol/ med variance game
Shogun of time (just for the win)
- in my opinion I have never hit a bonus feature that paid more than 400x and that was maybe once over my lifetime of playing the game can say 500,000 spins

- in simple terms I guess there isn’t a stat sheet to say chances of hitting a win over x (amount) odds are

-playing it over the past 20,000 spins my late less than 10 wins “including bonus feature win”
Of over 100x.

-I go on sprees where all natural bonuses feature in the same splot session was paying 25-40x

—— can some please give me feedback on those and if hitting the feature to often results in smaller wins ? Imaging hitting the bonus feature 10 times over 200 spins but all feature payed 25-50x

I am in no way trying to stir rumours or conspiracy’s lol I just don’t think I understand slots enough to get the idea behind how they really work

 

[The Reel Story]

Hi all. New here to the forum and really appreacite all the info everyone has given from their own experiences and background. I’m still trying to navigate and maneuver around the site correctly. Apologies if I’m on the wrong thread to ask.. and I’m not sure if I can properly explain it through my words, but

off a medium vol/ med variance game
Shogun of time (just for the win)
- in my opinion I have never hit a bonus feature that paid more than 400x and that was maybe once over my lifetime of playing the game can say 500,000 spins

- in simple terms I guess there isn’t a stat sheet to say chances of hitting a win over x (amount) odds are

-playing it over the past 20,000 spins my late less than 10 wins “including bonus feature win”
Of over 100x.

-I go on sprees where all natural bonuses feature in the same splot session was paying 25-40x

—— can some please give me feedback on those and if hitting the feature to often results in smaller wins ? Imaging hitting the bonus feature 10 times over 200 spins but all feature payed 25-50x

I am in no way trying to stir rumours or conspiracy’s lol I just don’t think I understand slots enough to get the idea behind how they really work

Each spin and each feature is independent, so it doesn't matter how many you have won and in what period, the result will be the result.

I have played SoT but not a lot. If the volatility is medium then you wouldn't expect many huge wins, and likewise you would expect many average ones, which seems to be the case.

Also the base game might be more generous meaning the feature isn't the 'be all and end all' of the big wins in the game.

Hard to say without knowing the math model of the game though

 

[trancemonkey]

Hi all. New here to the forum and really appreacite all the info everyone has given from their own experiences and background. I’m still trying to navigate and maneuver around the site correctly. Apologies if I’m on the wrong thread to ask.. and I’m not sure if I can properly explain it through my words, but

off a medium vol/ med variance game
Shogun of time (just for the win)
- in my opinion I have never hit a bonus feature that paid more than 400x and that was maybe once over my lifetime of playing the game can say 500,000 spins

- in simple terms I guess there isn’t a stat sheet to say chances of hitting a win over x (amount) odds are

-playing it over the past 20,000 spins my late less than 10 wins “including bonus feature win”
Of over 100x.

-I go on sprees where all natural bonuses feature in the same splot session was paying 25-40x

—— can some please give me feedback on those and if hitting the feature to often results in smaller wins ? Imaging hitting the bonus feature 10 times over 200 spins but all feature payed 25-50x

I am in no way trying to stir rumours or conspiracy’s lol I just don’t think I understand slots enough to get the idea behind how they really work

A 400x win is big, and it really depends on their maths model and the feature mechanics add to a) how often that happens and b) if it's even possible at all. I'll give you an example, a recent game i did had max liability of 8400x, which happened once in 4bn games. To get over 500x was one in 125,000.. this game is quite high volatility. 500x is 0.4% of the total RTP at that frequency, but you also have all the other wins greater than that. In total I have around 4% of all my wins in the range of more than 200x.

 

[degerardo]

Hello guys. Ive got a few Qs as well here. Maybe very straight forward, but hey! no asking-no learning, right? so:
1. If the game is out across different casinos,, being played by different people. Is it the same."one" game that its being played at the same time everywhere, with everyone, or is it acing in the way of its actuall player's own game playing it. Meaning, RTP, hit frequency, bonus frequency and its calculations are as per one game spread across or for individual player? If someone hit bonus from say 300 spin bonus frequency in State A, by player A, the state B and player B, and C and D, are skrewed for next "approx 300 spins" of hitting bonus game?
2. Reels and their symbols spead. I know there are some splits for each reel in the game. Is there a way of maybe a average standard of how to set those symbols per each reel?
Say, 1st reel 50 low symbols A, 45 low symbols B, 33 low symbols C, 20 Low symbols D..etc? Based on 5 low paying symbols, 5 premium symbols, wild, scatter and 2 special features? Just want to know more about how they are spread on each reel.
3. Is there a mathematical software used for math in games? For RTP, for win hit frequency, for bonus hit frequency and for say hit 500xbet 1000xbet, 2000xbet and a max win? I dont think its done with pen and paper maybe I am wrong but is there any sortware out there for it?
4. Whats the most common platforms that games are programmed for casinos?
5. Whats front end and what is back end part of the game exactly? Sorry I am not a programmer, and info all.over the net is a bit confusing

Any good help/answer will be appreciated and, of course, who knows what will happened but can bring somehing cool for the players, as I am having serious though to jump into making games

Thanks alot guys!

 

[Halvor]

Hello guys. Ive got a few Qs as well here. Maybe very straight forward, but hey! no asking-no learning, right? so:
1. If the game is out across different casinos,, being played by different people. Is it the same."one" game that its being played at the same time everywhere, with everyone, or is it acing in the way of its actuall player's own game playing it. Meaning, RTP, hit frequency, bonus frequency and its calculations are as per one game spread across or for individual player? If someone hit bonus from say 300 spin bonus frequency in State A, by player A, the state B and player B, and C and D, are skrewed for next "approx 300 spins" of hitting bonus game?
2. Reels and their symbols spead. I know there are some splits for each reel in the game. Is there a way of maybe a average standard of how to set those symbols per each reel?
Say, 1st reel 50 low symbols A, 45 low symbols B, 33 low symbols C, 20 Low symbols D..etc? Based on 5 low paying symbols, 5 premium symbols, wild, scatter and 2 special features? Just want to know more about how they are spread on each reel.
3. Is there a mathematical software used for math in games? For RTP, for win hit frequency, for bonus hit frequency and for say hit 500xbet 1000xbet, 2000xbet and a max win? I dont think its done with pen and paper maybe I am wrong but is there any sortware out there for it?
4. Whats the most common platforms that games are programmed for casinos?
5. Whats front end and what is back end part of the game exactly? Sorry I am not a programmer, and info all.over the net is a bit confusing

Any good help/answer will be appreciated and, of course, who knows what will happened but can bring somehing cool for the players, as I am having serious though to jump into making games

Thanks alot guys!

Hi degerardo,

1. The game play of the previous spin, game round, other players, casino or RTP version does not impact it.
If a game have a likelihood of Bonus in 1 out of 300 game rounds, that's the likelihood on every spin.
If you have hit it 5 times in the last 100 spins, or 0 times in the last 1000 spins, the chance of getting the bonus on an individual spin/game round remains the same, 1 in 300.

4. If you mean platform as in the RGS used to host the game, this is different from provider to provider, and is not following any industry standard.

5. Simple explanation would be that the front-end takes care of the visual aspects of the game, while the back-end is the functionality and data.

BR,
Halvor

 

[curremon]

@trancemonkey Could you open a little about where slot algorithm pulls its numbers ?

I had today either freaky unlikely happen or same kind of slots work with same mechanic..

Casino 1. Got free spins from book of ra deluxe , symbol A , not even 3 A's once
Casino 2. Got free spins from doom of egypt, symbol A, not even 3 A's once
Casino 2. again Got free spins from book of dead , symbol A, not even 3 A's once.

That itself is pretty strange imo.. BUt all of them gave one compensation win with full line of Q's during the feature ...

WHAT IS THIS ?

 

[Jono777]

@trancemonkey Could you open a little about where slot algorithm pulls its numbers ?

I had today either freaky unlikely happen or same kind of slots work with same mechanic..

Casino 1. Got free spins from book of ra deluxe , symbol A , not even 3 A's once
Casino 2. Got free spins from doom of egypt, symbol A, not even 3 A's once
Casino 2. again Got free spins from book of dead , symbol A, not even 3 A's once.

That itself is pretty strange imo.. BUt all of them gave one compensation win with full line of Q's during the feature ...

WHAT IS THIS ?

More proof that they're RIGGED!

 

[trancemonkey]

@trancemonkey Could you open a little about where slot algorithm pulls its numbers ?

I had today either freaky unlikely happen or same kind of slots work with same mechanic..

Casino 1. Got free spins from book of ra deluxe , symbol A , not even 3 A's once
Casino 2. Got free spins from doom of egypt, symbol A, not even 3 A's once
Casino 2. again Got free spins from book of dead , symbol A, not even 3 A's once.

That itself is pretty strange imo.. BUt all of them gave one compensation win with full line of Q's during the feature ...

WHAT IS THIS ?

They're rigged

 

[Jono777]

They're rigged

About bloody time!

 

[TheAddict]

HE'S ONE OF US!

You know it makes sense Trance.

 

[Reelsoffun]

Welcome to the dark side trance

 

[Schind]

I haven't read this entire thread so don't know if it's been answered, but how often are slot RNG's reseeded? Is it once a day, once a month, or never and they all just go on an endless loop for years?

 

[Reelsoffun]

Hello guys. Ive got a few Qs as well here. Maybe very straight forward, but hey! no asking-no learning, right? so:
1. If the game is out across different casinos,, being played by different people. Is it the same."one" game that its being played at the same time everywhere, with everyone, or is it acing in the way of its actuall player's own game playing it. Meaning, RTP, hit frequency, bonus frequency and its calculations are as per one game spread across or for individual player? If someone hit bonus from say 300 spin bonus frequency in State A, by player A, the state B and player B, and C and D, are skrewed for next "approx 300 spins" of hitting bonus game?
2. Reels and their symbols spead. I know there are some splits for each reel in the game. Is there a way of maybe a average standard of how to set those symbols per each reel?
Say, 1st reel 50 low symbols A, 45 low symbols B, 33 low symbols C, 20 Low symbols D..etc? Based on 5 low paying symbols, 5 premium symbols, wild, scatter and 2 special features? Just want to know more about how they are spread on each reel.
3. Is there a mathematical software used for math in games? For RTP, for win hit frequency, for bonus hit frequency and for say hit 500xbet 1000xbet, 2000xbet and a max win? I dont think its done with pen and paper maybe I am wrong but is there any sortware out there for it?
4. Whats the most common platforms that games are programmed for casinos?
5. Whats front end and what is back end part of the game exactly? Sorry I am not a programmer, and info all.over the net is a bit confusing

Any good help/answer will be appreciated and, of course, who knows what will happened but can bring somehing cool for the players, as I am having serious though to jump into making games

Thanks alot guys!

in answer to 2 and 3 as no one’s answered I don’t think,

There is a commercial software for slot design called “slot designer“ but it’s not cheap, alternatively you will be looking at spreadsheets more than pen and paper lol, some simulation etc, with any tools you use it will be trial and error in most cases to get the balance of wins required, slot math isn’t something that’s knocked up in an afternoon, unless you doing a reskin of course. Also reel strips etc are heavily linked to the pay table as well, and often use multiple strips in the base and bonus rounds.

 

[The Reel Story]

I haven't read this entire thread so don't know if it's been answered, but how often are slot RNG's reseeded? Is it once a day, once a month, or never and they all just go on an endless loop for years?

It depends on the PseudoRNG implementation and the level of play at the time, but probably every few minutes or so.

 

[axsmov]

Hi all.
I would like to clarify some points.
Slots are not allowed in my country. Therefore, when my wife and I fly to Europe, we always go to play in the casino.

1) I noticed that some people sit and play one machine for a long time, and my wife and I prefer to change slots often.
Does it make sense to change the machine or the game on the machine, or you can sit in one place and it will not affect the result, except for changing the volatility of the game.
Sometimes it feels like some machine is "cold" and eats up all the money, and sometimes it's "hot" and it's worth finding the right one.

2) Does it make sense to sit down at the machine after someone if he left a lot of money in this machine? "Fed the machine."
Or leave the machine when you received a bonus or a small prize? I have never received bonus after bonus in my life.

3) Can the casino set the RTP depending on the time of day? Sometimes it seems to me that in front of a closed casino, they kick out their visitors taking away all their money))

4) When guessing the card in the mini-game "black or red" is the result 50%/50%? Or it is tied to the RTP of the machine and is also flexible.

 

[Itaghai]

Hi all.
I would like to clarify some points.
Slots are not allowed in my country. Therefore, when my wife and I fly to Europe, we always go to play in the casino.

1) I noticed that some people sit and play one machine for a long time, and my wife and I prefer to change slots often.
Does it make sense to change the machine or the game on the machine, or you can sit in one place and it will not affect the result, except for changing the volatility of the game.
Sometimes it feels like some machine is "cold" and eats up all the money, and sometimes it's "hot" and it's worth finding the right one.

2) Does it make sense to sit down at the machine after someone if he left a lot of money in this machine? "Fed the machine."
Or leave the machine when you received a bonus or a small prize? I have never received bonus after bonus in my life.

3) Can the casino set the RTP depending on the time of day? Sometimes it seems to me that in front of a closed casino, they kick out their visitors taking away all their money))

4) When guessing the card in the mini-game "black or red" is the result 50%/50%? Or it is tied to the RTP of the machine and is also flexible.

I don't work in the industry but I have seen videos on YouTube of a guy that develops physical slots for the casinos.

Apparently, the casino slots have some sort of "cashier" per bet size and it work between a RTP range, so if the rtp is getting too low the slot starts paying more and if the RTP is getting too high the slot starts paying less.

That's why you might feel that sometimes a slot is cold and other times the slot is hot.

Regarding your 3rd question, I don't think the casinos are able to do that because of the regulations.

 

[satchnz]

@axsmov hello. Answers to your questions:

1) Slot machines work off random number generators (RNG). Your chance of getting a win are equal on each spin, so it does not matter how long you sit at a particular machine. If you enjoy playing a larger variety of games during your session then do just that. This is meant to be fun after all.

2) For the same reason above, there is no difference between a machine that has just paid a win vs a machine that just ate the previous player’s bankroll. Every spin has an equal chance of winning regardless of the outcome of the previous spin(s). At times this is incredibly hard to believe but it is fact.

3) They cannot change the RTP on a slot machine depending on the time of day or day of the week.

4) I don’t know for certain, but logic tells me that the result of a red/black gamble is determined by the RNG. I’m not sure how this would work in practice, but I’m assuming that the red/black gamble would somehow be incorporated into the millions or billions of simulated spins done in order to determine/confirm the RTP and maximum win.

The best thing to do is do what you and your wife find the most fun. If you like playing a lot of different games then spend smaller amounts of time at each machine. If you are on a game that you particularly enjoy, spend more time on it. Likewise if you don’t like a game then move to the next. Just always leave the casino with a smile on your face.

 

[axsmov]

Slot machines work off random number generators (RNG). Your chance of getting a win are equal on each spin, so it does not matter how long you sit at a particular machine. If you enjoy playing a larger variety of games during your session then do just that. This is meant to be fun after all.

It all sounds like you are a casino owner)
I studied other gambling forums. And also in my experience it seems to me that this is not random at all.
Each casino can set a certain amount from the provider that they have on hand.
And if there is not enough money in the casino cashier, the slots will replenish the cashier from the players. They will take some for themselves and give some back to the players for winnings.
If someone in the casino won a large amount, the casino cashier will be empty. And who will replenish it?)
In land-based casinos, if not many people visit it, then you should not expect prizes there.
In online casinos, slot machines are tied to the game provider. And if this provider has already given you a prize, then you are unlikely to receive another one.

 

[axsmov]

Apparently, the casino slots have some sort of "cashier" per bet size and it work between a RTP range, so if the rtp is getting too low the slot starts paying more and if the RTP is getting too high the slot starts paying less.

This guy is right

 

[satchnz]

It all sounds like you are a casino owner)
I studied other gambling forums. And also in my experience it seems to me that this is not random at all.
Each casino can set a certain amount from the provider that they have on hand.
And if there is not enough money in the casino cashier, the slots will replenish the cashier from the players. They will take some for themselves and give some back to the players for winnings.
If someone in the casino won a large amount, the casino cashier will be empty. And who will replenish it?)
In land-based casinos, if not many people visit it, then you should not expect prizes there.
In online casinos, slot machines are tied to the game provider. And if this provider has already given you a prize, then you are unlikely to receive another one.

Sounds like you had it all worked out anyway…

 

[axsmov]

Sounds like you had it all worked out anyway…

It remains to learn how to determine which machine is hot or not and how many cashiers the casino has available. lol

 

[Siohmy]

In the UK casinos at least the slots are random, pay between 90-94% RTP. It is a simple matter of on average 6-10p of every pound goes to the casino for every pound over a period of millions of spins. Simple as that.
Now in some arcades and pub there are what are known as compensated machines which you are alluding to when talking about “cashier”. They will be programmed to pay out, sometimes in a sort of streak manner which still keeping to a 90% payout so these will have hot and cold runs. These do not exist in UK casinos.

 

[The Reel Story]

It depends what machines you are playing on.

There are 'compensated' machines (although I believe these are now quite rare, as they primarily existed when people were using physical money to, as you say, top up when low and pay out when full).

As nearly all modern slots work on a 'voucher' basis, not using physical money, this problem goes away, and so the majority of machines you will see in a Casino are video slots, and these are not compensated and work as previously described (RNG on a set RTP).

The RTP can change, but not based on time of day. Often it's based on denomination. So if you're playing 1c spins, you are on a lower RTP than if you play 20c spins or $1 spins. These are set up front and don't change.

Also, as previously stated, it doesn't matter how much you, or anyone else, has lost.

Different machines will have different RTP's, and you will find these are strategically placed. Machines near exits and toilets will normally have lower RTP's, so as you leave, they try to take the last of your funds, or if you're waiting for someone to use the toilet, you'll spin a few on a nearby machine that will have a lower RTP.

So with all that in mind, and taking into account that most games now are Video Slots.

1. There is no 'hot' or 'cold'. It makes no difference if you change machines (unless you go to one with a lower RTP of course).

2. It doesn't matter when you leave the machine (although, leaving when you are 'up' on a decent win is a good idea just so you don't spend the money). It also doesn't matter if you follow someone who 'fed' the machine, because, as previously stated, this doesn't matter.

3. No, this is illegal under the regulations.

4. I believe all of the gambles on a land-based machine have to be accurate representations, so in this case, it will be 50/50. I can't remember the exact regulations for land-based.

Still, based on your comments above, it looks like you're pretty set on believing it's all rigged, so this will probably fall on deaf ears, but if you're trying to find an advantage, or a way to win, you won't.

Play to have fun, don't lose more than you can afford. Over time, you will always lose.