Slot Machine Mathematics

Slot machine mathematics is something that every player would love to decipher, but this encrypted puzzle is something that eludes most. If we knew all the inner workings of slot games, we’d have a crystal-clear understanding of how we could (and arguably should) win. However, even math geniuses can’t predict what a slot will do because of the way the algorithms and random number generators work to ensure fairness and, as the name implies, randomness on each spin.

Fortunately, there are some breadcrumbs regarding slot machine mathematics, which give us an inkling of how slot math works. Join us as we explain everything right here.

Slot Machine Math Guide

It is fair to say that quite a few people are studying slot machine probability mathematics. However, even if they were to have some success in the field, they aren’t likely to share their tips and strategies. After all, if the secret to winning became common knowledge, casinos would change their systems.

“Slot mathematics (in the eyes of the public) is less about discovering the secret of winning and more about learning how slot machines work.”

While we will never figure out the precise algorithms used to determine winning spins from non-winning spins, there are things we can understand about slot mathematics to improve our chances.

Algorithms are mathematical instructions (akin to coding) that tell a slot machine what to do during each spin. They are designed to deliver a random outcome on each spin, ensuring fairness to the casino and the players. Volatility, house edges, RTP rates, and RNGs all play their part in making this happen. Let’s look at these key ingredients next to see what we can learn about playing slots online.

Slot Machine Probability, Mathematics of Winning

You can trust that the best online slots are fair because they give you a reasonable shot at winning. However, that doesn’t always equate to a truly random chance of success. Each algorithm has parameters that come into play. First, let’s discuss volatility before looking at some of the other major aspects of slot mathematics.

Most of you will know that volatility determines how frequently a slot pays out and what sorts of winnings it delivers. Highly volatile games are not known for paying out regularly. However, the wins they do provide (which they eventually cough up the goods) are usually sizable. By contrast, a slot with low variance will pay regularly, but the wins delivered will often be petite.

By understanding volatility, we can gauge two things about slot mathematics. Highly volatile games require a big balance to see you through losing spells so that you can sustain losses until the next big win evens out your balance. Low-variance games keep your balance intact (for the most part) by providing regular small-scale wins, and they are, therefore, ideal for players on small budgets. What about the other slot mathematics aspects, though? Let’s look at those next.

Random Number Generator

Random number generators help a slot ensure fairness by providing a random outcome on each spin. Of course, RNGs (as they are known) aren’t truly random. A slot will have instructions to ensure that top-paying combos occur less frequently than low-value ones. For instance, algorithms will tell a slot to showcase low-value symbols more frequently than higher-paying ones, ensuring that it is trickier to land the biggest prizes than smaller ones. However, because the game doesn’t actively decide “when” combos land and “which” ones they are, the random element to RNGs is fair.

Return to Player (RTP) Explained

RTP refers to the amount of money that goes back into a pot for players to win. The opposite side of the coin is house edge – the amount the casino takes in pure profit from each bet. When discussing the Return to Player rate, the higher the percentage, the better for players.

NetEnt slots have some of the highest RTP rates around – some hit heights of 97%. This means that for every $1 you bet, $0.97 goes into a pot for all players to win, while $0.03 is snapped up by the casino as profit.

What Is Weighted Average Theoretical Percentage (WATP)

RTP (sometimes noted as TRTP or Theoretical Return to Player) is the amount of payback found in a game over time. However, WATP (Weighted Average Theoretical Percentage) considers several games, different stakes, and other elements. For instance, some game cabinets (in land-based casinos) support several games, each with its own RTP. The WATP calculates all the possible bets you can make, payouts and RTPs and comes with an “overall RTP” for the cabinet or collection of games. This is known as WATP.

House Edge

House edge, as mentioned, is the opposite side of RTP. House edge is defined as the amount of each bet that an internet casino will likely take in pure profit. For instance, if a game has a house edge of 5%, its RTP is 95%, and vice-versa. In slots, there is nothing you can do to adjust the house’s edge. However, in table games, using specific strategies and playing in certain ways can see you lower the house’s edge on you. 

Below you will find a table that reveals the average house edge you can expect to see in popular table games and the lowest you can cut that house edge down by if you choose to play in a specific way.

Table Game	Average House Edge	Lowest House Edge
Baccarat	1.24% (Player Hand)	1.06% (Playing the Banker’s hand)
Blackjack	2%	1.5% to 0.5% (using Basic Strategy)
Caribbean Stud Poker	5.22%	–
Keno	25% to 29%	-12% (selected online keno games)
Let It Ride	3.51%	–
Pai Gow Poker	1.50%	1.46% (strategic betting)
Roulette	2.70% to 5.26%	1.35% (French Roulette)
Sic Bo	2.78% to 33.33%	–

Mathematical Model of Slot Machines

Given that much of a slot machine’s gameplay relies on randomness, with RNGs generating random outcomes roughly every 50 milliseconds (even when the reels aren’t spinning), it is near impossible to predict a spin. Therefore, you may be wondering, where does slot machine math come in? Probability, of course.

Calculating the probability of a slot machine is no small feat. You need to know several things. Firstly, you’re going to need to know the number of possible combos/outcomes (winning spins and non-winning spins), whether each combo has the same chance of being landed as others (they usually don’t), and you’re going to need to know the number of outcomes where wins can occur.

You must then divide the chance of winning (with a specific combo) by the number of possible combinations available. If you try it, you’ll see that your odds aren’t great. Moreover, most of this information won’t be available to you, making it mightily difficult to use slot math to predict slot probability.

How to Win Money on Slots

Despite the seemingly impossible task of trying to use slot math to boost your odds of winning, there are things you do to improve your chances of success. Here are just a few of them:

• Play free slots. These will let you practice (without risk) and get a good idea of how a game works before you spend real money on it.
• Head to the software developers’ web pages, where you can usually find information about how the game is designed.
• The paytable in slots will help you understand how likely symbol combos are and showcase the variance and volatility of games alongside their RTP rates.
• Only play RNG-certified games. These are proven to be fair and have been tested to ensure that they aren’t rigged.

Slot Machine Mathematics vs Table Game Odds

Most people are aware that slot machine mathematics offer far worse odds of success than table game odds. Because table games aren’t patented and licensed software (they are open to everybody), you can do all sorts of experiments at home and find all manner of information online.

Most table games have lower house edges than slots (there are exceptions, as you can see if you check the table above). Moreover, you can use strategies and betting systems to lower the house edge further, boosting your odds of success. Land-based table games can also be cheated to a degree, such as by card counting. While you aren’t likely to benefit from this when playing online table games (which also use RNGs to shuffle the decks after each hand), you can still deploy long-established strategies to improve your odds. As slot mathematics only reveals probability and doesn’t improve your chances of success, table games are arguably easier to get a handle on.

FAQ

Can I cheat a slot machine?

No. Slot algorithms and how the RNGs work for each game are closely guarded secrets. You can’t cheat them.

Will slot mathematics help me win when playing a slot?

No. They will show you how fair or how likely you are to bag wins, but they don’t actively improve your odds of success when playing.

What is the point of understanding slot mathematics?

Understanding slot mathematics will help you figure out if a game is fair and if you stand a reasonable shot of success. This can help you avoid bad games.

Where do I find information about a game’s mathematics?

Information such as volatility, variance, RTP, and RNGs can be found on the software provider’s website. Sometimes, the paytable may also provide you with this information.

Are highly volatile or low variance slots better?

That depends. Highly volatile games are suitable for those with big balances that enable them to sustain losing streaks. Low-variance games are ideal for newbies and those on a budget.