|
How those gambling
gizmos work
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 didn¹t 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, you¹ve 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, it¹s 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 you¹ll do
next.
Regarding the boon-or-bust aftermath, it¹s 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.
ŒTain¹t 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 you¹re
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.
Online 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.)
-------------------------
|
