Slot machines have become a staple of casinos over the course of the last century or so. With their combination of simple core gameplay and varied visuals, these games have proven themselves just as popular as long-standing casino classics like Roulette or Blackjack.
But do you know how Slots actually work? There’s a lot that goes on behind the screen of a slot machine – whether that’s a game of online Slots or one in a physical cabinet. So, read on to find out just how the inner workings of modern slot machines work.
The basics of slot machines
The core concept of a slot machine is pretty simple at its heart. There’s the set of reels, featuring a range of different symbols, and players initiate a spin to see whether they will land on a matching combination. But many modern slot games have tweaked the classic formula or added to it to create more varied gameplay.
Another important part of the standard slot game is the payline, which is the line on which a matching combination needs to land for players to receive a payout. In the oldest slot machines, there was just one payline – the central horizontal line – but these days, you can play games that feature dozens or even hundreds of potential paylines.
How do Slots work?
So, now you know the basic components of a slot game, but how do they function?
Well, unlike the earliest slot machine designs, which relied on mechanical components, modern Slots run on a computer algorithm. This algorithm is the random number generator (RNG) which is responsible for determining the outcome of each spin of the reels.
These work by producing a string of random numbers, from hundreds to thousands of individual numbers, in any given second. Each of the numbers will correspond to a specific symbol on one of the reels. Once a player initiates a spin, this then locks in the current set of numbers that the RNG has generated, using them to determine which symbols will line up on the screen.
As the RNG produces such a large quantity of random numbers every second this makes it impossible to predict the outcome of a spin.
Before an RNG can go into operation it also has to pass rigorous testing by an independent authority, who will determine whether it is producing properly random and unbiased results. This means that players can be confident that any Slots offered by a licensed casino will abide by the principles of fair play.
Return to player percentage
Beyond the RNG there are some other important elements that govern how a slot game works. One of these is the return to player (RTP) percentage, which most games will display upfront.
The RTP is a theoretical figure that represents the amount that a given slot machine is expected to return to players over time. But this percentage is worked out over a significant long term, making it no guarantee of any results in the short term. It’s more of a general guide for players who are looking to choose a game.
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The internal workings of slot machines are quite complicated, but now you know a little more about how these games function and how they maintain their random nature.
