after doing a little research and talking to some people, i found out some interesting things about how a slot machine might work. i apologize for the long post, but i find it to be an interesting theory.
basically, it is apparently impossible to have a true random number generator, as many of you know. slots work with a "pseudo" random number generator that uses an algorithym that uses a "seed" and adds numbers to that seed to generate different outcomes. apparently, the RNG calculates and rotates through these numbers continuously until the spin button is pressed.
it is possible that the algorythms used allow each "number" to be processed ONLY once and the presentation to the player is only a representation for enjoyment value.
as an example, think of a $1 slot that has 100 possible numbers with only 5 numbers representing "wins."
the number 1 = the jackpot value of $50
the number 2 = line win of $5
the number 3 = line win of $10
the number 4 = bonus spins (3 free spins)
the number 5 = bonus spins (3 free spins)
the numbers 6-100 are blanks, near misses, etc.
when a bonus is hit, a separate calculation is used that that consists of 6 possible numbers for only the bonus (that also can be used only once)
represented by:
spin 1 = blank
spin 2 = blank
spin 3 = blank
spin 4 = $25
spin 5 = $5
spin 6 = $3
in other words, you can get a bonus and hit the first three possbile combinations and win $0, or hit the last three and win $33 or any combination of the six possibilities, but each spin can ONLY be hit once.
after one OR more players have completed the cycle of 100 spins, the payback is 98%.... guaranteed.
in this case, you CANNOT hit a jackpot "back to back" and it is very obvious that every spin is NOT random and likely to occur because if someone else hit the jackpot, you will not....in THIS cycle.
how to make this slot more "random?" increase the cycles. add another 9 sets of these 100 spin cycles and now 10 people can hit the jackpot and 20 bonuses are now possible. you can now hit a jackpot "back to back" and the payback is still 98%.
what if you increase it 100000000 more cycles, than it becomes the closest you can get to random.
so why does a slot sometimes not appear to be random? fewer cycles which lowers the variance for the casino for any period of time. (this can avoid too many jackpots clumped together with more consistent revenue.)
also, i learned that ANYTHING is programmable and possible. interruptions to the cycles, re-directions, etc..... you name it, it is possible.
i thought this was an interesting theory and i know some of you are programmers and have much better insight to share.
in summary: apparently slots CAN be very CLOSE to random, but not the way most people think. also, table games like blackjack can programmed in similar ways...but i don't know if they are. i love slots and this theory might explain some things i've noticed. a slot that relies on these type of mechanics is, for all intesive purposes, pretty random unless it is programmed to do otherwise.
ps... a personal thanks to nashvegas. i just find this topic extremely exciting and garry's posts started my interest in it.
basically, it is apparently impossible to have a true random number generator, as many of you know. slots work with a "pseudo" random number generator that uses an algorithym that uses a "seed" and adds numbers to that seed to generate different outcomes. apparently, the RNG calculates and rotates through these numbers continuously until the spin button is pressed.
it is possible that the algorythms used allow each "number" to be processed ONLY once and the presentation to the player is only a representation for enjoyment value.
as an example, think of a $1 slot that has 100 possible numbers with only 5 numbers representing "wins."
the number 1 = the jackpot value of $50
the number 2 = line win of $5
the number 3 = line win of $10
the number 4 = bonus spins (3 free spins)
the number 5 = bonus spins (3 free spins)
the numbers 6-100 are blanks, near misses, etc.
when a bonus is hit, a separate calculation is used that that consists of 6 possible numbers for only the bonus (that also can be used only once)
represented by:
spin 1 = blank
spin 2 = blank
spin 3 = blank
spin 4 = $25
spin 5 = $5
spin 6 = $3
in other words, you can get a bonus and hit the first three possbile combinations and win $0, or hit the last three and win $33 or any combination of the six possibilities, but each spin can ONLY be hit once.
after one OR more players have completed the cycle of 100 spins, the payback is 98%.... guaranteed.
in this case, you CANNOT hit a jackpot "back to back" and it is very obvious that every spin is NOT random and likely to occur because if someone else hit the jackpot, you will not....in THIS cycle.
how to make this slot more "random?" increase the cycles. add another 9 sets of these 100 spin cycles and now 10 people can hit the jackpot and 20 bonuses are now possible. you can now hit a jackpot "back to back" and the payback is still 98%.
what if you increase it 100000000 more cycles, than it becomes the closest you can get to random.
so why does a slot sometimes not appear to be random? fewer cycles which lowers the variance for the casino for any period of time. (this can avoid too many jackpots clumped together with more consistent revenue.)
also, i learned that ANYTHING is programmable and possible. interruptions to the cycles, re-directions, etc..... you name it, it is possible.
i thought this was an interesting theory and i know some of you are programmers and have much better insight to share.
in summary: apparently slots CAN be very CLOSE to random, but not the way most people think. also, table games like blackjack can programmed in similar ways...but i don't know if they are. i love slots and this theory might explain some things i've noticed. a slot that relies on these type of mechanics is, for all intesive purposes, pretty random unless it is programmed to do otherwise.
ps... a personal thanks to nashvegas. i just find this topic extremely exciting and garry's posts started my interest in it.