How Do Random Number Generators Work?

Throughout history, the slot machine has been a mainstay of casino life. Because they are the most popular game, the first thing you see when you walk through the casino door are several rows of slot machines.

Nearly three-quarters of all casino income comes from slot machines. They are popular because of their high revenue. However, they also have the advantage of being riskier than other games .

Slot Machine History

Slot machines have been a fixture on the casino floor for decades. However, technology has revolutionized them.

The first slot machines were entirely mechanical. The actual wheels of the slot machine would spin when you pulled the lever until they stopped at a random combination. They worked in a similar way to a set of tossed dice.

A microprocessor within a machine determines the final result of a digital slot machine.

How They Work

Today’s slot machines are completely computerized, and the set of symbols resulting from each play is chosen by a random number generator:  a computational algorithm (computer program).

1. The random number generator is started by pulling the lever or pushing the button.
2. It instructs the program "stop" when it encounters a particular set of numbers.
3. A set of symbols corresponds to the collection of numbers.
4. These symbols are displayed.
5. You win if the symbols correspond to a particular combination!

Even though the slot machine isn't in play, the computer program generates numbers continuously.

These numbers are generated at light speed, millions per second. Instead of spinning and clicking, the machine displays the most recent numbers generated by the computer chip when you pull the lever on the slot machine.

Does the ‘One-Armed Bandit’ Lever Matter?

The lever is now almost entirely for show. The random number generator selects the numbers instead of setting wheels in place. Pulling the lever does not make anything happen. The slot machine displays the symbols by simply stopping at the set of randomly generated characters when you push the button or pull the lever.

Are Random Number Generators Truly Random?

Microprocessors don't produce random combinations. These microprocessors are preprogrammed with a fixed payout ratio and hit frequency. They will stay that way for the lifetime of the processor. Another algorithm is used to program the microprocessor. It is accomplished by computer coding.

Slot Machine Hit Frequency

To be more specific, when computer programmers set the hit frequency on a random number generator, they are telling the slot machine how often to generate a winning configuration.

• It will pay more frequently if the hit frequency of the slot machine's programming is higher.
• A "loose" machine has a more excellent hit ratio.
• Gamblers should know that "loose" machines have a lower return rate.

Slot Machine Payback Rate

It is the payout rate. It determines how much the machine will pay for each winning combination.

The payback rate of a slot machine is usually in the opposite relationship to its hit frequency.

• A " tight " machine with a lower hit frequency will have a higher return rate.
• As stated above, "loose" slot machines have a lower return rate.

Different machines use different random number generators, each device having an additional hit frequency and another payback.

The Benefit of Random Number Generators

The best thing about the random number generators is their impartiality and inability to be "gamed" or manipulated by players. It will remain accurate throughout the lifetime of the microprocessor's life, regardless of how it is programmed.

As a gambler, it is essential to understand that no action can alter the payouts of a random number generator-based slot machine. Your chances of winning are not affected by your play speed.