Slot machines are one of the most iconic games in traditional and online casinos alike. Flashing lights and catching sounds keep casual players and seasoned ones glued to the reels. Under the surface of every slot machine lies one core component that ensures fairness and unpredictability: the Random Number Generator, or RNG.
Before sitting down for a spin, it’s crucial to understand how RNG works. Learning about how slot machines work will eliminate any doubts about hot and cold machines, as well as shed some light on why no betting system can change your odds. The RNG system became a standard for reputable platforms like Stake.com in order to ensure transparent and fair slot play.
The Basics: What Is RNG?
RNG stands for Random Number Generator, an algorithm software designed to generate a random string of numbers. This randomness is crucial in games of chance like online slots.
In real life, when a person spins a roulette wheel or draws one card from the deck, they expect to get an independent result every time, regardless of the previous spin or draw. That’s what RNG is replication in slot machines. Every time a player clicks the “spin” button, RNG is already working on generating a random combination of numbers that translates into symbols on the reels.
To be precise, technically RNGs in online casinos are random in the sense that numbers and symbols do not depend on the previous spins, but there is a science behind the machine. RNG relies on a huge number of specific mathematical formulas and seeds that ensure randomness from players’ views. The computers will only do what you tell them to do specifically, so asking the machine to produce random numbers will not work. However, giving a computer hundreds of math formulas to process and come up with a sequence of numbers, is valid and practically random from a human perspective. The key to using RNGs in online casino games is the unpredictability of the results and lack of preset patterns which, in return, ensure fair play.
How Does RNG Affect Online Slot Outcomes?
Online slot machines are built around virtual reels, each containing a set number of symbols. The reels are not real, they only exist as part of the RNG software. When the player spins the reels, RNG generates numbers that are related to certain patterns or symbols, displaying the final result as three different pictures on the reel.
To put it in layman’s terms, imagine that each of the three reels has 50 spots. The RNG now comes up with three numbers, for example 10, 22 and 35. Every number represents a certain symbol that the player can see on the reel once it stops spinning. If symbols are aligned according to the preset paytable, the spin is a winner. If not, that spin was a loss.
All of this happens in fractions of a second, with results already determined before the reels stop spinning. The symbols players see are there just to make slot machines more fun and engaging for the audience. There is no real value or difference whether someone is spinning fruits, numbers, or cartoon characters. Behind every symbol there’s an assigned number that was generated by software without any human interaction.
Debunking Slot Myths: RNG Makes Every Spin Independent
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest delusions is that a machine is “due” for a payout. It’s understandable that humans always try to find patterns in order to understand things, but RNG is specifically there to ensure that there are none.
There are no “hot” streaks in slot machines, or “cold” ones, or any other behavior since this is software determining numbers based on numerous mathematical calculations. That’s all.
Each spin is entirely independent of the one before it. Give it a shot with pragmatic slots and check out different slots for yourself. You’ll see that you can spin the reels 50 times and not win anything and then win big the 51st time. Also, it can happen to win several times in a row, and then not win anything for the next few dozen times. That’s the beauty and power of RNG.
Now that we have determined that there are no patterns behind slot machines, we can say with certainty that there are no betting strategies that can possibly work on slots. This is not a table game where players can count cards or read the dealer or other players’ facial expressions. This form of gambling is humans against the machine that has no awareness or hidden agenda, it just throws out random numbers that are presented in the form of symbols to make the game more interesting.
In short, raising a bet after a loss does not mean that you will win the next spin. These strategies do not alter the mathematical odds or the game’s RTP, Return to Player.
Slot RTP and RNG: Two Sides of the Same Coin
RNG ensures the randomness of each spin, while RTP is an assumption of what the machine will pay to the players. For example, a slot with a 96% RTP is designed to return $96 for every $100 wagered on average, meaning that it could take several thousand or several millions of spins to get the one that actually pays out. Here’s how RTP is built into the RNG system.
Not every symbol has the same chance to appear on the reel, meaning there’s no 1 on 1 system that will ensure that every symbol pops up the same number of times. The reels are “weighted” which means that some symbols appear more often than others.
Imagine that there are 100 symbols in the code of a slot machine. Some symbols, usually the ones that are worth more like Joker, are going to show up on one or two of the positions on the reel. Some others that are less worthy will pop up more often, maybe 50 or 60 times.
This is how the game controls the frequency of each symbol. The rarer the symbol, the bigger the value. This balancing act serves to make sure that big wins are less frequent, while the smaller ones occur regularly.
This system is also used to build RTP by simulating spins and adjusting symbols’ appearance until reaching the desired percentage. For players, this means that if RTP stands at 97%, it doesn’t mean that every player will get 97% back. It’s just saying that on average, after millions of spins, 97% of all bets will result in some kind of prize. Individually, it might mean that a single player will not win anything over the course of hundreds of spins, and another can win in the first spin. It’s completely random which is why no strategy is helpful, let alone guaranteed, when it comes to slots.
The game engine takes RTP and blends it with RPGs, which gets us to the modern slot machines where every spin is random but within mathematical calculations set up for RPGs. RTP is also embedded into the code of the game from the beginning and is impossible to rig or adjust on a whim.
To make it simple, RNG controls what symbols appear, and RTP determines how often winning combinations are likely to occur.
The Role of Testing and Certification
Online slots have been subjected to some rigorous testing in the past years. Many reputable online casinos were actually very cooperative since they also wanted to prove to their users that the games are played fair. Independent testing agencies audit these games to confirm that the RNG works correctly and aligns with the advertised RTP.
Even though some regulative bodies can be harsh towards online platforms, this is actually a welcomed oversight. RNG software undergoes stress tests and simulations of billions of spins to ensure there’s no bias or predictability in results. Afterward, online platforms get certificates that are issued by the testing agency ensuring certain standards in the gaming industry. Usually, these certificates can be seen by players which further builds confidence in the platform.
Inside the Code: How RNG Is Programmed
RNG used in online slots is based on cryptographic software which initializes with a seed value. This seed acts like a trigger for the spin and can be just any random act, like keystroke, or mouse movements. Once the spin starts, in a matter of milliseconds, millions of number combinations are generated. Once a player hits the “spin” button, the combination is locked, and the only thing is to wait for the reels to stop spinning. That’s why two people playing the same slot at the same time can get wildly different outcomes.
Crypto casinos went one step further with the implementation of blockchain and provably fair RNG systems. This is done by hashes, coupled with seeds, players can compare and see that the symbol combination was truly random. More and more online casinos are adopting blockchain where players can check whether the game was genuinely fair.
Progressive Jackpots and RNG
RNG is especially important in progressive slots, meaning the ones that have huge, life changing payouts. In progressive games, a small portion of each bet goes into a joint prize pool that can be won at random.
Jackpots are usually won by getting a certain combination of symbols, often the same ones. However, to ensure that everyone has a shot at winning big prizes, many slot machines have random jackpots that can hit anyone who’s playing regardless of bet size. Still, some slots are set up in a way that bigger bets bring bigger jackpots, but still the prizes are deep into seven figures, so your small bet will do just fine.
RNG makes this possible. The system runs in the background, determining not only regular spin results but also deciding when and who gets the jackpot. This is where stories about some random guy who sat down at the slot machine to rest his back, hit spin, and won a huge jackpot. It’s a game of luck, so don’t bother with tactics, and just enjoy the ride that can potentially end up in a big win.
Bonus Rounds and Feature Games
Probably the most exciting part of every slot machine is the bonus feature. Almost every game that is exclusively based on luck like Wheel of Fortune and other slot games, has some kind of bonus that gives players a chance to win big prizes.
Behind every bonus though, there’s a system-RNG. It determines upfront what kind of combinations a player must hit to win a bonus. The combinations are also determined by RNG, as well as the number of spins, the kinds of bonus and everything else that goes into the machine. RNG is there to make sure that every step is random and everyone is eligible to score a bonus.
This applies to wild cards, mystery symbols and other features. Even though humans tend to see patterns and logic behind every game, the truth is that all of it is controlled by a Random Number Generator.
How to Play Smart with RNG in Mind
Once you understand how RNG works, there are a few unwritten rules that proved to be useful when trying out luck with slots.
- Don’t chase losses. Every spin is random and independent from the previous one, so chasing the missed opportunity is only going to end in more loss.
- Play for entertainment. Slots are not a source of income, nor should they be treated as one. Online casinos are there as part of the entertainment industry, so do not treat slot machines as an investment.
- High RTP enhances your chances for the win. The higher the better.
- Set limits. Before playing any kind of game in an online casino, set limits to the funds you’re willing to risk. It’s very easy to get carried away, and just keep hitting spin while zoned out. Stay focused, and once you hit your bankroll limit leave the game.
RNG Makes It All Possible
Vivid lights and blasting sounds are just part of the show. Behind every slot, there’s a network of software, regulations, and match formulas that make RNG a reliable system. The first step to becoming a well informed player is to understand how games work, which translates to grasping the basics of RNG.