Random Number Generators

The use and function of Random Number Generators (RNG’s) in casino slot machines has always been a hot topic with players who are trying to understand both how they work and what their influence is on the result of a game.  Some players are even suspicious of slot machines in particular and do not understand how the use of RNG’s ensures that games are fair at all times and deliver complete random results for each spin of the reels.  This article covers everything about random number generators including how they work and the way in which they are used to control the outcomes of casino slot machine games.  Below is a comprehensive overview of the implementation of RNG’s in slot machines to provide randomized results for both the casino and players.

Simply put, a random number generator is a computer program which is designed to spit out a series of numbers between the values of 0 and approximately 4 billion in constant succession.  The idea is that with such a huge range of numbers being selected on a millisecond basis, the series of numbers that is picked by the program will be nearly impossible to guess and will therefore provide a random selection of numbers.  With regards to slot machines, this device is the heart of how the slot machine functions and is used in conjunction with an algorithmic formula to determine how the results of a game are displayed.

Every slot machine that you will find in both land based and online casinos uses an RNG to determine its results.  For land based casinos, the operator must apply for a license from the respective gaming oversight body who will both test and evaluate the random number generators used in all the machines in their casino establishment.  For online casinos, RNG and game technology is provided by software companies who are audited by third parties to ensure both fairness and randomness in the machines.

Another important thing to consider about RNG’s is that they never stop working, even when a slot machine is idle and not being played.  If it did stop this of course would mean that the results were not truly random and because of this the RNG is generating numbers 24 hours a day 365 a years regardless of whether or not there is an actual player playing at the machine.  Let’s take a look at how the RNG is used to determine the results in a typical slot machine game.

When the player spins the reels on a slot machine, a computer program in the slot will take 3 separate values provided by the random number generator.  These values are completely random and are taken at the moment play is iniated by the player.  Next, the slots computer program runs the numbers through a complex algorithm which divides the values resulting in a set of three numbers that correspond to each of the reels.  Every reel on the slot machine has pre-determined stopping points which are assigned numbers.  Using the data taken from the RNG and the final result of the divided numbers, the slot machine’s computer chip can then determine which reels will stop where by using the corresponding RNG values with the pre-determined stoppage points on the machine.  As you can see from this example, the results of each game are truly random since the program always takes the initial values from the random number generator before running them through the formula which determines the results of the game, thereby ensuring an unpredictable result over time.

Overall, understanding the way in which RNG’s work on slots is important to the player for a few key reasons.  The first major reason is to dispel any myths that the machine is rigged to payout at a certain time, which of course is untrue as long as the RNG and programs are running correctly.  The second major consideration that players should be aware of with regards to RNG’s is that since all results are random, buying into myths of “ready to jackpot slots” and loose slot machines are simply untrue and can end up being very expensive for the player.

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