Slot machines have fascinated gamblers around the world for over a century. However, with their continued popularity comes a lot of myths and misinformation. In this article, we dispel 15 of the most common slot machine myths that lead players astray.
Slot Machines Get "Hot" and "Cold"
Many believe that slots go through "hot" and "cold" streaks based on recent payouts. The idea is that a slot paying out frequently is hot, while one not paying is cold. However, every slot spin is an independent event unaffected by past results. While wins may come in streaks, that does not alter future odds.
Playing at Certain Times Increases Your Chances
Some think playing slots at certain times or days increases your odds, such as late at night or on the weekends. But slots use RNGs (random number generators) to determine winners randomly. The time of day does not impact those odds at all.
Online Slots Are Rigged
It’s a common belief that online slots must be rigged because you can’t physically see the reels spinning. However, reputable online casinos use RNGs tested for fairness by third parties. Rigging them would be extremely difficult without getting caught.
Slot Club Memberships Increase Wins
Slot club cards provide perks like cashback and free plays as incentives to keep you playing longer. Some wrongly believe they improve your actual odds. But your membership status does not alter the RNG driving payouts.
Payout Odds Change After Jackpots
When a slot pays out a large amount, some avoid it believing another jackpot won’t hit for a while afterward. But RNGs don’t work that way. The odds of every spin stay exactly the same regardless of previous hits.
Employees Know Where the Best Slots Are
It’s natural to ask employees where the loosest slots are. However, no one can provide reliable insights on that. While they may observe certain ones hitting jackpots more often, perceived hot slots still come down to random chance.
Pulling Levers Is Better Than Buttons
On older slots with actual mechanical levers, players often think pulling them is luckier than pushing spin buttons on video slots. But whether you use a digital button or analog lever, you trigger the same RNG process to determine a win or loss.
Warming Coins Increases Your Chances
Rubbing slot coins between your fingers to warm them up is an old-fashioned ritual some believe brings better luck. But slot sensors can’t detect coin temperature, nor would warmer coins alter the pre-determined outcomes.
Always Bet Max
Most slots have better payouts at max bet levels. While larger bets can result in bigger wins, that doesn’t mean you should always play max credits. Consider your bankroll and risk tolerance before chasing bigger (but less likely) payouts.
New Slots Perform Better
When new slots get added to the floor, they often attract crowds believing they payout more since they’re the latest model. In reality, there’s no correlation between a game’s age and its payout programming. Newer doesn’t necessarily mean better odds.
RTP Percentages Equal Guaranteed Returns
If a slot has a published 96% RTP rate, some wrongly assume losing players will get 96% of their money back. But RTP refers to the percentage returned to players over millions of spins, not player returns. It’s not a refund guarantee if you lose.
Losing Streaks Mean You’re Due for Wins
After hitting multiple losses in a row, players often keep playing believing their luck has to turn around. But past events don’t change future outcomes on slots. A losing streak doesn’t mean you’re overdue for wins if the RTP stays fixed.
Avoid Machines That Recently Hit Jackpots
If a slot just paid a sizable jackpot, conventional wisdom says to avoid it presuming its building up to hit again. However, slots don’t cycle through defined payout schedules. The odds of hitting symbols stays constant regardless of previous wins.
In the end, while gambling myths and superstitions persist, slot machine outcomes boil down to RNGs and random chance. No special actions alter those fixed odds. That said, you can pick games strategically by seeking out higher RTP rates. Above all, know the facts so misinformation doesn’t negatively impact your play decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any skill to playing slot machines?
No, outcomes rely purely on chance. But you can pick games strategically by comparing features like RTP rates. Higher RTPs provide better odds over many spins.
Do slots really run hot and cold?
No, every spin is an independent event with fixed odds unaffected by past payouts or losses. Hot and cold streaks are an illusion of randomness, not evidence that win rates fluctuate.
What are the best slots to play?
Games with RTP rates of 96% or higher generally provide better odds for players over time. Some top-paying slots include Rock On (97.48%), Ugga Bugga (99.07%), and Ooh Aah Dracula (99%).
