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Slot Machines History and Rules
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A slot machine
(American English), poker
machine (Australian English),
or fruit machine (British
English) is a certain type of
casino game. Traditional slot
machines are coin-operated
machines with three or more
reels, which spin when a lever
on the side of the machine is
pulled. The machines include a
currency detector that validates
the coin or money inserted to
play. (The slot machine is also
known informally as a
one-armed bandit because of
its appearance and its ability
to leave the gamer penniless.)
The machine typically pays off
based on patterns of symbols
visible on the front of the
machine when it stops. Modern
computer technology has resulted
in many variations on the slot
machine concept. Today, slot
machines have become one of the
most popular attractions in
casinos. |
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Sittman and
Pitt of
Brooklyn, New
York
developed a
gambling machine
in
1891 that
could be
considered a
precursor to the
modern slot
machine. It
contained 5
drums holding a
total of 50 card
faces and was
based on
poker. This
machine proved
extremely
popular and soon
there was hardly
a bar in the
city that didn't
have one or more
of the machines
bar-side.
Players would
insert a nickel
and press a
lever, which
would spin the
drums and the
cards they held,
the player
hoping for a
good poker hand.
There was no
direct payout
mechanism, so a
pair of Kings
might get you a
free beer,
whereas a Royal
Flush could
payout cigars or
drinks, the
prizes wholly
dependent on
what was on
offer at the
local
establishment.
In order to make
the odds better
for the house,
two cards were
typically
removed from the
"deck": the Ten
of Spades and
the Jack of
Hearts, which
cut the odds of
winning a Royal
Flush by half.
The drums could
also be
re-arranged to
further reduce a
player's chance
of winning.
The first "one-armed
bandit" was
invented in
1887 by
Charles Fey
of
San Francisco,
California,
who devised a
much simpler
automatic
mechanism. Due to
the vast number
of possible wins
with the
original poker
card-based game,
it proved
practically
impossible to
come up with a
way to make a
machine capable
of making an
automatic
pay-out for all
possible winning
combinations.
Charles Fey
devised a
machine with
three spinning
reels containing
a total of five
symbols –
horseshoes,
diamonds, spades,
hearts and a
Liberty Bell,
which also gave
the machine its
name. By
replacing ten
cards with five
symbols and
using three
reels instead of
five drums, the
complexity of
reading a win
was considerably
reduced,
allowing Fey to
devise an
effective
automatic payout
mechanism. Three
bells in a row
produced the
biggest payoff,
ten
nickels.
Liberty Bell
was a huge
success and
spawned a
thriving
mechanical
gaming device
industry. Even
when the use of
these gambling
devices was
banned in his
home State after
a few years, Fey
still couldn't
keep up with
demand for the
game elsewhere.
Another early
machine gave out
winning in the
form of fruit
flavoured
chewing gums
with pictures of
the flavours as
symbols on the
reels. The
popular cherry
and melon
symbols derive
from this
machine. The
"BAR" symbol now
common in slot
machines was
derived from an
early logo of
the
Bell-Fruit Gum
Company. In
1964,
Bally
developed the
first fully
electromechanical
slot machine
called Money
Honey.
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Description
 A
row
of
"Wheel
of
Fortune"
slot
machines
in a
casino
in
Las
Vegas.
This
specific
slot
machine
is
loosely
based
on
the
TV
game
show
Wheel
of
Fortune
A person
playing a slot
machine
purchases the
right to play by
inserting coins,
cash, or in
newer machines,
a bar-coded
paper ticket (known
as "ticket
in/ticket out"
machines), into
a designated
slot on the
machine. The
machine is then
activated by
means of a lever
or button, or on
newer machines,
by pressing a
touchscreen on
its face. The
game itself may
or may not
involve skill on
the player's
part — or it may
create the
illusion of
involving skill
without actually
being anything
else than a game
of chance. The
object of the
game is to win
money from the
machine. The
game usually
involves
matching symbols,
either on
mechanical reels
that spin and
stop to reveal
one or several
symbols, or on a
video screen.
The symbols are
usually brightly
colored and
easily
recognizable,
such as images
of fruits, and
simple shapes
such as bells,
diamonds, or
hearts.
Most games
have a variety
of winning
combinations of
symbols, often
posted on the
face of the
machine. If a
player matches a
combination
according to the
rules of the
game, the slot
machine pays the
player cash or
some other sort
of value, such
as extra games.
There are
many different
kinds of
gambling slot
machines in
places such as
Las Vegas.
Some of the most
popular are the
video poker
machines, in
which players
hope to obtain a
set of symbols
corresponding to
a winning
poker hand.
There are
standard 5-card
draw machines,
all the way up
to 100-play
machines, where
you can play 100
hands at a time.
Becoming more
popular now are
the 9 line slots.
Usually these
are themed slots,
with graphics
and music based
on popular
entertainers or
TV programs (Addams
Family,
I Dream of
Jeannie,
etc.) with a
bonus round.
Most accept
variable amounts
of credit to
play with 1 to 5
credits per line
being typical.
The higher the
amount bet, the
higher the
payout will be.
Of course,
there are the
standard 3 - 5
reel slot
machines, of
various types.
These are the
typical
"one-armed
bandits".
One of the
main differences
between video
slots and reel
slots is in the
way payouts are
calculated. With
reel slots, the
only way to win
the maximum
jackpot is to
play the maximum
number of coins
(usually 3,
sometimes 4, or
even 5 coins per
spin). With
video slots, the
fixed payout
values are
multiplied by
the number of
coins per line
that are being
bet. In other
words: on a reel
slot, it is to
the player's
advantage to
play with the
maximum number
of coins
available. On
video slots, it
is recommended
to play as many
individual lines
as possible, but
there is no
benefit to the
player in
betting more
than one credit
per line with
regards to
calculating the
payout amounts.
(There are some
isolated cases
where a video
slot machine
requires the
maximum number
of credits per
spin to be
inserted to win
the largest
payout, but
those are the
exception.)
An example: On
the "Wheel
of Fortune"
reel slot, the
player must play
3 coins per spin
to be eligible
to trigger the
bonus round and
possibly win the
jackpot. On the
Wheel of Fortune
video slot, the
chances of
triggering the
bonus round or
winning the
maximum jackpot
are exactly the
same regardless
of the number of
coins bet on
each line.
Larger
casinos offer
slot machines
with
denominations
from $.01 (penny
slots) all the
way up to $100.00
or more per
credit. Large
denomination
slot machines
are usually
cordoned off
from the rest of
the casino into
a "High Limit"
area, often with
a separate team
of hosts to
cater to the
needs of the
high-rollers who
play there.
Slot machines
common in
casinos at this
time are more
complicated.
Most allow
players to
accept their
winnings as
credits, which
may be "spent"
on additional
spins.
In the last
few years, new
slot machines
commonly known
as "multi-denomination"
have been
introduced. In a
multi-denomination
slot machine,
the player can
choose the value
of each credit
wagered from a
list of options.
Based upon the
player's
selection, the
slot machine
automatically
calculates the
number of
credits the
player receives
in exchange for
the cash
inserted and
displays the
amount of
available
credits to the
player. (For
example, a
player could
choose to wager
one dollar per
game on a nickel
slot machine.)
This eliminates
the need for a
player to find a
specific
denomination of
a particular
slot machine;
they can
concentrate on
simply finding
the machine and
setting the
denomination
once they decide
to play.
Recently,
some casinos
have chosen to
take advantage
of a concept
commonly known
as "tokenization":
1 token buys
more than one
credit. A casino
can configure
slot machines of
numerous
different
denominations to
accept the same
type of token. (For
example, all
penny, nickel,
quarter, and
dollar slot
machines could
be configured to
accept dollar
tokens.) This
significantly
reduces a
casino's
inventory costs
and coin
handling costs.
A tokenized slot
machine
automatically
calculates the
number of
credits the
player receives
in exchange for
the token
inserted and
displays the
amount of
available
credits to the
player. When a
player chooses
to collect his
credits (by
pressing a "Cash
Out" button),
the slot machine
will
automatically
divide the
number of
credits on the
credit meter by
the value of one
token and return
the result to
the patron. Any
remainder is
known as "residual
credits" and
cannot be
collected.
Residual credits
must be either
played or
abandoned.
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Bonus
is a special
feature of the
particular game
theme, which is
activated when
certain symbols
appear in a
winning
combination. In
the bonus, the
player is
presented with
several items on
a screen from
which to choose.
As the player
chooses items, a
number of
credits is
revealed and
awarded. Some
bonuses use a
mechanical
device, such as
a spinning
wheel, that
works in
conjunction with
the bonus to
display the
amount won.
Candle
is a light on
top of the slot
machine. It
flashes to alert
the operator
that a hand pay
is requested or
that there is a
problem with the
machine.
Carousel
refers to a
grouping of slot
machines.
Coin
hopper is a
container where
the coins that
are immediately
available for
payouts are
held. The hopper
is a mechanical
device that
rotates coins
into the coin
tray when a
player collects
his
credits/coins
(by pressing a
"Cash Out"
button). When a
certain preset
coin capacity is
reached, a coin
diverter
automatically
redirects, or
"drops", excess
coin into a
"drop bucket" or
"drop box".
Credit
meter is a
visual display
of the amount of
money or credits
on the machine.
Drop
bucket or
drop box is
a container
located in a
slot machine's
base where
excess coins are
diverted from
the hopper.
Typically, a
drop bucket is
used for low
denomination
slot machines
and a drop box
is used for high
denomination
slot machines. A
drop box
contains a
hinged lid with
one or more
locks whereas a
drop bucket does
not contain a
lid. The
contents of drop
buckets and drop
boxes are
collected and
counted by
the casino on a
scheduled basis.
Hand pay
refers to a
payout made by a
slot attendant
or cage, rather
than the slot
machine. A hand
pay occurs when
the amount of
the payout
exceeds the
maximum amount
that was preset
by the slot
machine's
operator.
Usually, the
maximum amount
is set at the
level where the
operator must
begin to deduct
taxes. A hand
pay could also
be necessary as
a result of a
short pay.
Hopper
fill slip is
a document used
to record the
replenishments
of the coin in
the coin hopper
after it becomes
depleted as a
result of making
payouts to
players. The
slip indicates
the amount of
coin placed into
the hoppers, as
well as the
signatures of
the employees
involved in the
transaction, the
slot machine
number and the
location and the
date.
Low Level
or Slant Top
slot machines
include a stool
so you can sit
and play.
Stand Up or
Upright
slot machines
are played while
standing.
Optimal
play is a
payback
percentage based
on a gambler
using the
optimal strategy
in a skill-based
slot machine
game.
Payline
is a straight or
zig-zagged line
that crosses
through one
symbol on each
reel, along
which a winning
combination is
evaluated.
Classic spinning
reel machines
usually have up
to nine paylines,
while video slot
machines may
have as many as
fifty.
Rollup
is the process
of dramatizing a
win by playing
sounds while the
meters
count up to the
amount that has
been won.
Short pay
refers to a
partial payout
made by a slot
machine, which
is less than the
amount due to
the player. This
occurs if the
coin hopper has
been depleted as
a result of
making earlier
payouts to
players. The
remaining amount
due to the
player is paid
as a hand pay.
Theoretical Hold
Worksheet is
a document
provided by the
manufacturer for
all slot
machines, which
indicates the
theoretical
percentage that
the slot machine
should hold
based on
adequate levels
of coin-in. The
worksheet also
indicates the
reel strip
settings, number
of coins that
may be played,
the payout
schedule, the
number of reels
and other
information
descriptive of
the particular
type of slot
machine.
Weight
count is an
American term,
referring to the
dollar amount of
coins or tokens
removed from a
slot machine's
drop bucket or
drop box and
counted by the
casino's
hard count
team through the
use of a weigh
scale.
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Each machine
has a table that
lists the number
of credits the
player will
receive if the
symbols listed
on the pay table
line up on the
pay line of the
machine. Some
symbols are wild
and will pay if
they are visible
in any position,
even if they are
not on the pay
line. Especially
on older
machines, the
pay table is
listed on the
face of the
machine, usually
above and below
the area
containing the
wheels. Most
video machines
display the pay
table when the
player presses a
"pay table"
button or
touches "pay
table" on the
screen; some
have the pay
table listed on
the cabinet as
well.
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Random
number generator
It is a
common belief
that the odds on
a machine have
something to do
with the number
of each kind of
symbol on each
reel, but in
modern slot
machines this is
no longer the
case. Modern
slot machines
are computerized,
so that the odds
are whatever
they are
programmed to be.
In modern slot
machines, the
reels and lever
are present for
historical and
entertainment
reasons only.
The positions
the reels will
come to rest on
are chosen by a
Random Number
Generator (RNG)
contained in the
machine's
software. This
is called "virtual
reel"
technology.
The RNG is
constantly
generating
random numbers,
at a rate of
thousands to
millions per
second. As soon
as the lever is
pulled or the
"Play" button is
pressed, the
most recent
random number is
used to
determine the
result. This
means that the
result varies
depending on
exactly when the
game is played.
A fraction of a
second earlier
or later, and
the result would
be different.
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Slot machines
are typically
programmed to
pay out as
winnings between
82 to 98 percent
of the money
that is wagered
by players. This
is known as the
"theoretical
payout
percentage". The
minimum
theoretical
payout
percentage
varies among
jurisdictions
and is typically
established by
law or
regulation. For
example, the
minimum payout
percentage in
Nevada is 75
percent and in
New Jersey is 83
percent. The
winning patterns
on slot machines,
the amounts they
pay, and the
frequency at
which they
appear are
carefully
selected to
yield a certain
percentage of
the cost of play
to the "house"
(the operator of
the slot machine),
while returning
the rest to the
player during
play. Suppose
that a certain
slot machine
costs $1 per
spin. It can be
calculated that
over a
sufficiently
long period,
such as
1,000,000 spins,
that the machine
will return an
average of
$950,000 to its
players, who
have inserted
$1,000,000
during that
time. In this (simplified)
example, the
slot machine is
said to pay out
95%. The
operator keeps
the remaining
$50,000.
A slot
machine's
theoretical
payout
percentage is
set at the
factory when the
software is
written.
Changing the
payout
percentages
after a slot
machine has been
placed on the
gaming floor
requires a
physical swap of
the software,
which is usually
stored on an
EPROM but
may be
downloaded to
Non-Volatile
Random Access
Memory (NVRAM)
or even stored
on
CD-ROM or
DVD
depending on the
technological
capabilities of
the machine and
the regulations
of the
jurisdiction.
Based on current
technology, this
is a time
consuming
process and as
such is done
infrequently. In
certain
jurisdictions,
such as New
Jersey, the
EPROM is sealed
with a
tamper-evident
seal and can
only be changed
in the presence
of the state
Gaming Control
Board. Other
jurisdictions,
including
Nevada, randomly
audit slot
machines to
ensure that they
contain only
approved
software.
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Often
machines are
linked together
in a way that
allows a group
of machines to
offer a
particularly
large prize, or
"jackpot". Each
slot machine in
the group
contributes a
small amount to
this
progressive
jackpot,
which is awarded
to a player who
gets (for
example) a royal
flush on a video
poker machine,
or a specific
combination of
symbols on a
regular or 9
line slot
machine. The
amount paid for
the progressive
jackpot is
usually far
higher than any
single slot
machine could
pay on its own.
In some cases
multiple
machines are
linked across
multiple casinos.
In these cases,
the machines may
be owned by the
machine maker
who is
responsible for
paying the
jackpot. The
casinos
lease the
machines rather
than owning them
outright.
Megabucks
may be the best
known example of
this type of
machine.
Megabucks Nevada
starts at
$7,000,000 after
a jackpot. The
new
penny
Megabucks
video game has a
jackpot that
starts at
$10,000,000.
Slot machines
that are not
linked to a
large regional
jackpot such as
Megabucks
usually have
higher payout
percentages, as
linked machines
have to take
into
consideration
the large
jackpot amount
into their
payout
percentage
calculations.
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Because the
reel display of
modern slot
machines is
controlled by
computer
software, it is
possible to make
the slot machine
frequently
display
combinataions
that are close
to winning
combinations.
For instance, if
the
jackpot
combination is
"7-7-7", a slot
machine could be
programmed to
frequently
display
"7-7-(non-7)".
This can fool
the player into
thinking they "almost
won", teasing
them into
playing more
often.
This practice
of showing
combinations
that are similar
to winning
combinations
more frequently
than would occur
randomly is
called "near-miss"
programming. It
has been ruled
illegal in the
U.S. states of
Nevada and New
Jersey. The
Nevada Gaming
Commission did
review some
machines with
this type of
programming and
refused to
authorize them.
There is a
related
phenomenon that
is also
sometimes called
"near-miss". The
chance of a
winning
combination
appearing on a
payline is
controlled by
the winning
percentages
programmed into
the slot machine.
However, the
combinations
appearing above
and below the
payline are all
roughly equally
randomly
distributed.
This means it is
much more likely
that a "winning
combination"
will appear
above or below a
payline than on
the payline.
Using the same
example above,
it is much more
likely that a "winning
combination" of
"7-7-7" would
appear on a line
above or below
the payline than
the chance that
it would appear
on the payline.
The issue of
a near-miss
above or below
the payline was
also
investigated by
the Nevada
Gaming
Commission. They
ruled that this
was legal, so
long as the "near-miss"
above or below
the payline was
not specially
programmed. In
other words, the
"near-miss" must
be just as
likely to occur
as any other
combination. The
machine cannot
be specially
programmed to
show "winning
combinations"
more frequently
than other
combinations
above or below
the payline.
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In the United
States, the
public and
private
availability of
slot machines is
highly regulated
by state
governments.
Many states have
established
gaming control
boards to
regulate the
possession and
use of slot
machines.
Nevada is
the only state
that has no
significant
restrictions
against slot
machines both
for public and
private use. In
New Jersey,
slot machines
are only allowed
in hotel-casinos
operated in
Atlantic City.
Several states (Illinois,
Indiana,
Iowa,
Louisiana,
Mississippi,
and
Missouri)
allow slot
machines (as
well as any
casino-style
gambling) only
on licensed
riverboats
or permanently
anchored
barges. For
a list of state
by state
regulations on
private slot
machine
ownership, see
U.S. state slot
machine
ownership
regulations.
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Native American
casinos located
in
reservations
are not
permitted to
have slot
machines unless
the tribe first
reaches a pact
with the state
in which it is
located (per
Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act).
Typically, a
pact entitles
the state to
receives a
percentage of
the gross
revenue from
slot machines.
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Some states
have
restrictions on
the type (called
"class") of slot
machines that
can be used in a
casino or other
gaming area.
"Class III" (or
"traditional")
slot machines
operate
independently
from a
centralized
computer system
and a player's
chance of
winning any
payout is the
same with every
play. Class III
slots are most
often seen in
Nevada or
Atlantic City
and are
sometimes
referred to as "Vegas-style
slots".
"Class II"
slot machines (also
known as "Video
Lottery
Terminals"
or "VLTs") are
connected to a
centralized
computer system
that determines
the outcome of
each wager. In
this way, Class
II slot machines
mimic
scratch-off
lottery tickets
in that each
machine has an
equal chance of
winning a series
of limited
prizes. Either
class of slot
machines may or
may not have a
player skill
element
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Many American
casinos offer
free memberships
in "slot clubs",
which return a
small percentage
of the amount of
money that is
bet in the form
of "comps" (complimentary
food, drinks,
hotel rooms, or
merchandise), or
sometimes as
cash back (sometimes
with a
restriction that
the cash be
redeemed at a
later date).
These clubs
require that
players use a
card that is
inserted into
the slot machine,
to allow the
casino to track
the player's
"action" (how
much the player
bets and for how
long), which is
often used to
establish a
level of play
that may make a
player eligible
for additional
comps. Comps or
cash back from
these clubs can
make a
significant
difference in
the maximum
theoretical
return when
playing slot
machines over a
long period of
time.
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 Queen
of
the
Nile(manufactured
by
Aristocrat),
one
of
the
most
popular
Australian
poker
machine
games,
also
very
popular
in
some
American
casinos
Generally
referred to as
poker
machines or
pokies,
but officially
known as 'Gaming
Machines',
Australia
has one of the
highest
concentration of
poker machines
per head of
population in
the world, with
changes in
regulations
leading to a
profusion of
poker machine
venues across
the country.
Various
objectors,
including many
branches of the
clergy and also
charities for
the poor, have
criticized the
spread of the
machines, as
they claim that
it has led to a
huge rise in the
levels of "problem
gambling" -
gambling to a
level that
causes financial
and social
stress to the
gambler and
their families,
as well as the
general levels
of gambling.
Australian-style
poker machines
use video
displays to
simulate (usually)
five physical
reels. These
machines also
have additional
bonusing and
second-screen
features such as
free games and
bonus levels.
They also allow
for multiple
lines (up to 50)
or multiple ways
(up to 243 ways)
to be played.
This higher
level of
complexity has
meant that
greater revenues
can be obtained
by operators,
but also that
the potential
for problem
gambling to
develop is
increased.
Poker
machines are
found in casinos
(approximately
one in each
major city) as
well as
pubs and
clubs (usually
sports, social,
or
RSL clubs).
This greater
accessibility is
also seen as a
potential
contributor to
problem gambling.
The first
Australian state
to legalize this
style of
gambling was
New South Wales
in 1956 when
they were made
legal in all
registered clubs
in the state.
Laws
governing
gambling in
Australia are
controlled at
the state level
and as such,
they vary from
state to state.
In the state of
Queensland
gaming machines
in pubs and
clubs must
provide a return
rate of 60%
while machines
located in
casinos must
provide a return
rate of 90%.
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Slot machines
are often known
as fruit
machines and
AWP
(Amusement with
Prizes) in
Britain.
Slot machines
are commonly
found in pubs,
clubs,
arcades, and
some take-away
food shops.
These machines
commonly have 3
or 6 reels with
around 16 or 24
fruit symbols
printed around
them. These
reels are spun,
and if certain
combinations of
fruit appear,
winnings are
paid from the
machine, or
subgames are
played. These
are very similar
to slot machines
seen in casinos
and elsewhere
around the
world, but the
term "fruit
machine" is
usually applied
to a type of
machine more
commonly found
in pubs and
arcades. These
games have lots
of extra
features, trails
and subgames
with
opportunities to
win money,
usually more
than can be won
from just the
reels. However,
the jackpots
from these fruit
machines are
strictly limited
with many
machines paying
no more than a
maximum of £25
in any one win.
It is known
for machines to
payout multiple
jackpots, one
after the other,
this is known as
a streak
but each jackpot
requires a new
game to be
played
(circumventing
the maximum £25
pound per game
rule). Private
members clubs
are allowed
"club machines",
which have
higher jackpots.
These
machines also
operate in a
different
fashion to
American slot
machines;
whereas slots
are programmed
to pay a
percentage over
the long-run,
there is no
reason why a
jackpot cannot
be paid straight
after one has
already been won
- this is
because over the
long-run the
percentage
payout will be
the same.
However, in the
UK, a fruit
machine takes on
an amount above
its payout
percentage
before winning,
so if a payout
is 95%, a
machine will
make the player
lose £10 before
paying out
£9.50. As such,
it is sensible
to watch for
people playing
these machines
but not winning
as the
likelihood of a
win increases.
This, however,
is called
Sharking.
This type of
fruit machine is
popular across
Europe (in
the countries
where they are
legal), and very
popular in
countries such
as the
Czech Republic,
Russia, and
Ukraine.
The minimum
payout
percentage is
70% in Britain,
with pubs often
setting the
payout at around
78%.
It has been
alleged by the
Fairplay
campaign that UK
fruit machines
employ
fraudulent
techniques in
which gambles
and chances
which appear to
be random are in
fact
pre-determined
and cannot be
affected by
player choices.
1
...at
this point,
you'll have
gambled the
win up to
£25. However,
the machine
doesn't want
you to
gamble any
further. If
from the 5
you select
"High", the
machine will
spin in a 3
and you'll
lose. If, on
the other
hand, you
select "Low",
the machine
will spin in
a 9 and you'll
lose...
The claims
centre around
the emulation of
fruit machine
hardware on
computers, which
allow for the
machines RAM
state to be
saved at a
particular point
and replayed
making a
different choice.
The fruit
machine industry
has hit back at
the allegations.
Currently the
issue has
supposedly been
considered by
the UK Gaming
Board (now the
Gambling
Commission) and
warning notices
and possibly
modifications
are to be put in
place, though it
is unclear as to
whether this has
happened. This
is infact the
law now in the
UK and all
machines carry a
warning notice
informing the
user that the
machine may at
times offer the
player a choice
in which they
have no possible
chance to win.
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Japan has a
relatively new
involvement in
slot machines,
roughly since
after the
American
occupation
during the World
War II era. Most
machines can be
found in
Pachinko parlors
and the adult
sections of
amusement
arcades, known
as game centers.
The machines
are regulated
with IC chips,
and has six
different levels
changing the
odds of a "777".
The levels
provide a rough
outcome of
between 90% to
an astonishing
160% (200% if
using skills).
Indeed, the
Japanese slot
machines are "beatable".
Despite the
many varieties
of the machines,
there are
certain rules
and regulations
put forward by a
commission. For
example, there
must be three
reels. Also, all
reels must be
accompanied by
buttons which
stop these reels,
etc.
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-
Standard
slot
machines do
not get
"hot" or
"cold". The
odds of
hitting a
winning
combination
are
determined
by a
random
number
generator
contained in
the
machine's
software and
is exactly
the same
with every
spin.
-
(Exception:
UK-style
AWP
machines
are
progressive
which
means
chances
of
winning
will
increase
over
time if
the
machine
has not
paid any
wins
out.
Many
also
"force"
wins on
players
in order
to meet
the
payout
percentage).
-
Except
possibly in
a few
jurisdictions,
slot
machines are
never "due
to be hit"
if they
haven't paid
out a
jackpot in a
while.
-
There is
a science to
the
placement of
slot
machines on
the gaming
floor, but
the highest
paying
machines are
not
necessarily
placed in
high-traffic
areas.
Typically,
machines of
similar
payback
percentages
are grouped
together,
with 1% or
less
difference
from machine
to machine
in the
group.
-
Using a
slot club
card does
not affect
the
machine's
payout
percentage,
but allows
the casino
to keep
track of the
amount
wagered by a
player and
issue
complimentaries
accordingly.
-
In most
jurisdictions,
casinos
cannot alter
the
machine's
percentages
by time of
day, day of
week, or
remotely via
a computer.
In some
jurisdictions,
it cannot be
done without
regulatory
oversight.
The
percentages
are set by a
special
chip, called
a key chip
(in most
games). One
of the
game's
EPROMs
are removed,
and then the
key chip is
inserted, to
allow you to
set the
payout
percentage.The
Game chip is
put back in,
and then the
state gaming
official
seals the
chips(in
some
jurisdictions)
with
tamper-resistant
tape.
-
(Exception
1: In
many
markets
where
central
monitoring
and
control
systems
are used
to link
machines
for
auditing
and
security
purposes,
usually
in wide
area
networks
of
multiple
venues
and
thousands
of
machines,
player
return
must
usually
be
changed
from a
central
computer
rather
than at
each
individual
machine.
A range
of
percentages
are
preprogrammed
into the
game
software
and
selected
by
configuring
the
machine
remotely.)
-
(Exception
2: In
2006,
the
Nevada
Gaming
Commission
began
working
with Las
Vegas
casinos
on
technology
that
would
allow
the
casino's
slot
manager
to
change
the
game,
the odds,
and the
payouts
remotely
via a
computer.
The
change
cannot
be done
instantaneously,
but only
after
the
selected
machine
has been
idle for
at least
four
minutes.
After
the
change
is made,
the
machine
must be
locked
to new
players
for four
minutes
and
display
an
on-screen
message
informing
potential
players
that a
change
is being
made.
ref)
-
Missed
opportunities.
This comes
in two
general
forms
-
You
leave a
machine.
Another
player
comes up
and
immediately
hits a
jackpot.
You
think, "If
I had
played
just one
more
time, I
would
have won
that
jackpot."
-
A
machine
returns
a higher
jackpot
for
playing
more
coins.
You play
fewer
coins,
and a
winning
combination
appears.
You
think, "If
I had
played
more
coins, I
would
have won
more
money."
In both cases,
you did not
"miss" an
opportunity to
win. The results
of modern slot
machines depend
on exactly when
you play them.
It is very
unlikely in
either case that
you would have
received the
same result if
you had played
just one more
time or just one
more coin. See
Random Number
Generator
above.
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Slot
machines,
like other
gambling
devices and
games, can
be
addictive
to some
individuals.
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The
first
Liberty Bell
slot machine
can be found
at the
Liberty
Belle Saloon
& Restaurant
on 4250 S.
Virginia,
Reno, Nevada.
Brothers
Marshall and
Frank Fey
opened the
restaurant
Nov. 20,
1958. The
Fey's
grandfather,
Charles Fey,
invented the
first
three-wheeled
slot machine,
and the
restaurant
has a
collection
of more than
200 antique
machines.
The Liberty
Belle closed
on March 17,
2006 and the
location was
recently
purchased by
the
Reno-Sparks
Convention
Center which
is located
nearby.
On July 8,
2006, the
Liberty Belle's
slot machine
collection will
be auctioned off
at the
Reno-Sparks
Convention
Center.
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