Why you can’t “crack” a slot machine: the math behind the game
It’s commonly thought that by observing a slot machine for an extended period, one can discern a pattern, such as identifying a “hot” machine or predicting a bonus following a streak of losses. However, this intuition is largely unfounded, and here are four main reasons why:
1. Slot machines use a random number generator (RNG) to determine the outcome of each spin, ensuring that every spin is independent and has an equal chance of winning or losing.
2. The concept of a “hot” machine or a “cold” streak does not exist in slot machines since the RNG ensures each spin is unrelated to previous spins.
3. A bonus round may occur after a series of losses, but this is simply due to random chance and has no correlation with the number of consecutive losses that occurred before it.
4. The frequency or timing of bonuses in slot machines is not determined by any external factor, such as how long you’ve been playing or how much money you’ve wagered. In essence, each spin in a slot machine is a new and independent event with an equal chance of winning or losing.