Re: Slot Machine Odds
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Thanks..... How would can you go about finding the odds on these machines? Is it possible?
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Well, obviously the maker of the machine knows, and the casino knows. They order the machines with a specific payback RNG. 98% payback, 96% payback, etc.
The exact distribution of these payouts is up to the maker. They have probably done a huge amount of testing to see how many small payouts are needed with what exact frequency to keep the pigeons pushing the buttons.
But software-wise, I know the RNG usually looks at the reels as having 256 unique positions. So I would assume the highest jackpot is 256 x 256 x 256 or 1:16,777,216.
They might adjust and add a few more big winner combinations to bring it down if the big payoff isn't that large.
Another interesting point is they can manipulate the non-winning combinations. Maybe make a "teaser" loser BAR - BAR - ZIP combination with the winning BAR right above or below the payline occur more often than chance. Just another trick to keep the addicts playing.
I know in Missouri the gaming commission requires the casino to disclose the odds. So if you ask, with some persistance, eventually they will dig up a little chart showing the odds of each payoff.
In Indiana, I was in the casino once when they were changing the payoffs, and the gaming commission was present and would not allow the machines to be put into service until they documented the proper RNG chips were in the machines. Vegas has much the same procedures.
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