The Top 5 Slot Machine Myths: Debunking the Lies

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May 09, 2024 4 min read Last updated May 13, 2024

If you're a regular slot machine player, I'd make a fair bet that at one time or another, you've been offered some slots 'advice.'

The casino's most popular game is rife with myth and legend, from newbies to veterans - when to up your stake, when is the machine going to pay out, when is it time to walk away - it seems everyone's got a theory to beat the slot machine.

But, what's the truth?

From superstitions to misconceptions, join PokerNews as we run through the top 5 slot machine myths, debunking the falsehoods and arming you with just the facts for the next time you decide to hit your favorite spinner.

Myth 1: Slot machines are due a win if they haven't paid out for a while.

One of the most popular and widespread slot myths out there, the idea that slot machines can be 'due' a win is totally FALSE.

Yep, you can stop hovering around the casino floor watching for barren runs with eagle eyes because every single spin on a slot machine is completely random and independent of the one that comes before or after.

This is owing to the use of a Random Number Generator (RNG), which is essentially a complicated algorithm that churns out impossible-to-predict sequences with each and every spin.

So, a machine that hasn't paid out in a while isn't any more likely to hit a jackpot on the next spin - whether you are playing in person or at an online casino.

Myth 2: You can increase your chance of winning by staking more.

This one is slightly more complicated because although you can win more by staking more, it is FALSE to suggest that increasing your stake will increase your percentage chance of winning.

Alongside the RNG, slots are also dictated by Return-to-Player rates (RTP) (yes, the acronyms can be confusing) which is basically the house edge.

These are independent of the stake size and will never change. For example, if a machine has an RTP of 96% over hundreds of thousands of spins, it will pay out at a rate of 96%, irrespective of stake sizes.

Therefore, increasing your stake will never increase your chances of winning, but it can lead to bigger wins or losses, so play carefully.

Myth 3: Playing at certain times of day increases your chances of winning.

If you're reading this and about to set that 3 a.m. alarm, you can stop because it is absolutely FALSE that slot machines pay out more on different days or at different times.

There is a popular misconception that casinos have the ability to loosen machines to attract more players at off-peak times; however, not only is it not true that casinos have the ability to do this (we'll come to this one later), would they really do it anyway?

The RTP and the RNG are fixed—and that's really all there is to it.

Myth 4: Certain tricks can influence the RNG or "force" a win.

A good friend of mine absolutely swears he can force a win by stopping his spin at the right time, and no matter how many times I tell him it's nonsense, he can't be swayed. But let's be clear: the idea that certain tricks can influence the RNG or force a win is False.

There are many supposed techniques for manipulating the slot machine, from pressing the buttons in a particular sequence to manipulating your stakes in a certain order. However, none of these techniques have any impact on the RNG. The outcome of each spin is predetermined by the RNG the millisecond you hit the spin button, and player actions have no bearing on it.

Slots are a game that relies on Lady Luck, and no matter what you do, that won't change.

Myth 5: Casinos can mess with slot machines to control how often they pay out.

A myth as old as slot machines themselves, it is 100% FALSE that casinos, either land or online casinos, have the ability to influence when a slot machine pays out in any way.

While I'm sure casinos would absolutely love to be able to control this, the simple fact is they can't, and proper slot machines licensed by a reputable gaming authority will always ensure the player is getting a fair spin.

So stop worrying about the casino messing you about, and check out our best tips when playing slot games!

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