This is a topic of conversation anyone everyone in the gambling industry is engaged with regularly.
In short - Yes, slot machines are rigged. However, they’re not rigged in the way you think they are. Hang around and lean on the words within this article to understand how this dichotomy is possible.
If online and live casinos are actually rigged, then how in the heck is that legal? Are casinos actively keeping slot machines rigged so that you can’t win? If so, what about all those stories of players who won huge jackpots?
This can all seem rather confusing, but bare with me.
The simple answer is that the vast majority of players lose, and a few lucky players win. Each machine is programmed to pay out less than what’s put into it, ensuring that the casino makes a continuous profit over the long run.
And therefore the machines are rigged to make a profit! But they are not rigged against any specific individual at a specific time.
Gaming commissions would never allow casinos to run games you can’t win, nor would it be good for business.
Understanding how slot machines are rigged requires you to understand how they work.
Each slot has its game odds, but they all use a similar method of paying out jackpots. Here are some important things to know about slot machines.
RTP is an acronym for “return to player”. Imagine a game where the RTP is 96.09%. What does this mean in terms of money, jackpots, and wins and losses? It means that, for every $100 bet on these games, players win back $96.09.
So, unless the RTP is +100% - You can win on certain occasions playing slots, but the machine is rigged against you to win in the long run.
Now that you understand how slot machines work, and how they are rigged without being unfair, it’s time to turn the tables on the casinos.
One of the first and most obvious tips is to select high RTP slot machines. These games pay back the most to players in the long run, so you’re better off playing them even if the jackpots are smaller.
Slot machine volatility is important to understand because it will tell you which slots are suitable for your bankroll. Volatility indicates both how often a slot should pay and the average size of the payouts.
Low volatility slots pay smaller amounts more often. Medium volatility slots pay decent amounts fairly often. High volatility slots pay less frequently, but wins are more explosive.
Managing your bankroll effectively is about the only slot machine strategy which works. Therefore, knowing the volatility of a game is useful information.
To conclude… are slot machines rigged? Yes, the house has a mathematical advantage that you can’t change or influence as much as you’d like, but that doesn’t mean you can’t win.
Beating slot machines is a case of picking the right games, managing your bankroll effectively, and getting lucky. Don’t forget the last part! Luck is essential.
