Slot Machines: How do They Work?

Although they are currently the absolute favorite game of most bettors globally, maybe you don’t know that land-based casinos originally introduced slot machines as a simple diversion.

In fact, they were proposed to the public as an alternative to the table games that used to have absolute dominance among players' tastes, such as Poker, Baccarat or Blackjack.
And the idea of proposing this alternative, was a huge success as we all know, so much, so that it encouraged the development of online games.

Across the years, the technology behind it, has changed greatly and now the classic mechanical devices, have been replaced by computer-controlled machines.
However, the gameplay is still the same: bettors push a button or operates a lever, to spin the reels on which images are printed.

And basically, win or lose, depends on which icons line up with the pay line. The amount you get, depends on the value of the images that combine on the pay line itself.
Of course, newer machines use computer algorithms, rather than physical gears, and there are no hidden tricks or secrets to force a slot machine win.

Computer-based slot machines: the role of stepper motors

Although modern slot machines are designed to resemble mechanical and retro models, they operate on a completely different principle.
In fact, the outcome of each spin, is controlled by a central computer and not by the movement of the reels.

Using stepper motors, the computer rotates each coil and stops it at a predetermined point. These stepper motors are driven by digital pulses of electricity controlled by the computer and move the motor by a given step, really precisely.
However, even though the computer tells the reels where to stop, the software is not pre-programmed to pay out at that point in time.

The payout mechanism, is handled by the RNG. In fact, at the heart of the computer we have a random number generator that will determine whether or not the spin has a winning outcome.
When a slot is triggered, the random number generator outputs whole numbers-usually between 1 and several billion-hundreds of times per second.
When the button is pressed, the computer records the next numbers from the random number generator and a simple program, determines where the reels should stop.

A major advantage of this system, is that developers can easily configure how often the machine pays out.

The odds of virtual slot machines

In modern gaming software, the odds of getting a specific symbol or combination of symbols depend on the virtual reel settings.
Simply put, the odds of getting a particular picture on the actual reel come from how many virtual stops match the actual one.

Every software is designed to have a certain return-to-player percentage, RTP. In effect, we are talking about the payback percentage that over the long run is paid out to the player. For example, if a machine has payback percentage of 95, the casino would take 5%.
Most games have as required by law, payback percentages above 75%). In fact, especially in online slot machines. the RTP value ranges from 90 to 97%.

Since the computer always considers new random numbers, you always have the same probability of winning, every spin.
In addition, the existence of multiple paylines allows the player to choose how many lines to play on. If the minimum bet is considered, only the single straight line on the reels counts.

Whereas if the player bets more money, it is possible to play on additional horizontal lines, above and below the main payline, and also on the diagonal lines on the reels.
Finally, there are different payout schemes: set amount that never changes, or with Progressive Jackpot. As people play and introduce money, the amount potentially obtainable increases.
That is, until one lucky person wins the big prize and the Jackpot is restored to its initial value.

We remind readers, however, that winning at the game is a rare and unpredictable event and it is much easier to lose one's wagers, than to win a prize.
Therefore, we urge moderation and caution to avoid escalating into problematic behavior.