Table of Contents:
Online Slots Essentials
RNG as the Heart of Online Slots
RTP as a Factor that Determines the Chance of Winning
Volatility Level
Myths about Online Video Slots
Closing Thoughts
Transferred to the digital world of ones and zeros, a slot game is software code neatly written by programmers and thoroughly tested by specialists to run perfectly without a hitch. In fact, it is a computer application, which uses the logic of reeled slot machines that previously could only be played at B&M venues.
Thanks to advances in computer technology and the internet, many titles including slots have been moved to the virtual space to become available to anyone willing to risk their money. As technology continues to advance, today's slots not only look more appealing visually, but also offer many exciting slots bonuses and extras like Wild symbol or free spins to increase the winning potential.
Slots are pure games of chance thanks to the RNG determining which symbol and in what position on the game grid should land when the reels stop spinning. It is similar to tossing dice when you don't know exactly which pair of digits will land as a result.
So, the RNG generates a long number with each digit representing different things from the moment the reels stop spinning to a specific symbol and its position on the playing field. Since the numbers generated by the RNG technology are truly random, neither the player nor the casino knows what the next symbol combination will be. Moreover, it destroys the myth that after a long losing streak, you are guaranteed a payout.
To make sure the slots really work fairly, there are independent auditing companies regularly checking the RNG algorithms to make sure they work correctly and are not tampered with.
Similar to many table casino games, slots offer a guaranteed profit for the casino because they have a house advantage. For example, a 5.26% house edge in Roulette means that the casino is guaranteed to make $5.26 for every $100 you wager.
To determine winning odds in slots, the return to player percentage parameter (RTP) is used, and it shows which part of the money spent on betting over a lengthy game session will return to the player as winnings. For instance, by choosing a title with an RTP of 97%, you will get back at least $97 for every hundred wagered over a lengthy playing session.
Keep in mind that the RTP doesn't work if you only plan to make a few spins. To understand this further, you need a knowledge of probability theory and mathematical statistics. For example, although you have a 50% chance of seeing heads or tails on a coin flip, by flipping it just a few times, you might only see heads for example. However, the longer your coin flip experiment lasts, the closer the numbers of heads and tails will be to each other, and that's how RTP works in slots.
In order to characterise the combination frequency and the payout value, the volatility setting has been introduced. Here are some important thoughts on slot volatility levels:
In the more than 20 years since the first online slot machine was introduced, a lot of myths have been around to mislead newcomers and even seasoned punters, and we're here to dispel them.
We hope you have now got more into the slots business and how those machines work. Since they are RNG-based online casino titles, you won't be able to influence the game directly, thereby increasing your winning odds. However, by sticking to prudent bankroll management, you'll minimise your losses and prolong your enjoyment of the game.