Hot Slots
Players dedicate a lot of time and effort into finding the hot slots.
There are books, websites, videos and more selling the secret to finding the
hot slots, so you can make the most money off the casino. I’m sorry to tell
you that those tips won’t do any good. For all intents and purposes, there
is no such thing as a hot or cold slot.
A slot machine that has paid out a few times in a row will not necessarily stay on that streak and a slot that hasn’t paid out in a while is not due.
Slot machines, both in land-based and online casinos, are games of chance that operate with complete randomness. The outcome of each spin is determined by a random number generator, a microcomputer that uses a complex algorithm to choose a set of numbers hundreds of times per second. Each number represents a certain symbol on each reel. No streak, hot or cold, can be predicted because each spin is completely independent of the last.
Because the random number generator chooses the numbers even while the
machine is not being played, even if somehow you were able to determine the
algorithm used to pick the numbers, you would have no idea where in the
sequence the slot is. Therefore, though streaks to occur randomly, it is
impossible to predict hot slots.
It is true that some slot machines pay out more often than others. The random number generator of each slot machine is set to pay out a certain percentage to the players over the course of its lifetime and keep the rest. Some machines pay out a higher percentage than others. The machines that pay out more often are called loose machines and those that pay out less often are considered tight.
But how do you find the machines that pay out more? For brick and mortar casinos, many people swear by the idea that the slots in the aisle pay out more often. It makes sense. The slots on the aisles are more visible to the casino customers and seeing them pay out a lot would lead the customers to believe that the slots in general pay out more often than they do. However, not every slot on the aisles are loose machines; they are placed more strategically than that. You may also see a sign next to a bank of slots that says that group pays out 98% or something similar. That doesn’t mean every slot in that bank pays out that often. It could just be a few of them.
The best way to find the loose and tight slots is to do some research. Ask around. For land-based casinos, find regulars who play the slots at that casino a lot and see what they say. For online casinos, look online for pay charts or payout ratios for particular games. With both methods, though, remember to take any information you find with a grain of salt. The information may not be accurate, even if the source believes it is.
Even if you can’t find a loose slot, don’t be discouraged by the fact that you can’t change the odds. The same goes for the other games of chance at a casino, such as craps and roulette. Just think of playing the slots as a fun way of spending your time rather than a way to make money. The right perspective makes all the difference when it comes to the amount of enjoyment you get.