This is a fairly difficult concept for some people to grasp, but the concept of probability in a slot game is just that: it’s random.
No, each new spin of the reels has the same chance of you winning as the last, regardless if you’ve been on a 100-spin losing streak or vice versa. In other words, “due” payouts don’t exist.
You shouldn’t waste your time or money trying to chase a win simply because you believe you’re due for a win — you aren’t and anyone trying to convince you otherwise is wrong. Mathematics and probability don’t work that way.
Gamblers fallacy aside, most slot results are determined by the random number generator (RNG) built within its software infrastructure. At the point of you hitting the spin button, the algorithm performs high-speed calculations which randomly determines the combination of your roll. Only by hitting a set combination (normally set by the developer) will you be awarded a win, and subsequently, a payout.
There’s no real way of knowing when this will happen, so trying to predict when a win will come is just a fool’s errand.
On the flip side, sometimes random doesn’t always seem like it’s random.
Every once in a while, you’ll come into contact with a slot machine that, no matter how much money you feed it, will never hit the winning combinations. These machines will have you spinning for far too long without a single win, making you spend more than you should just to try to get a single win in the slot.
In cases like these, it’s better to place a set amount of bets that you’ll use for this particular machine/slot game. After you’ve finished your capital, it’s time to move on.
That said, tight or stingy machines may be more common than once thought. Whether it be the unscrupulous code changing the odds in the backend or simply plain old bad luck, you should always know your spending limits when playing the slots.
On the contrary, if you’re lucky, you might also find some loose slots that will hit more often and give frequent payouts too.
Stopping Does Not Mean You’ve Lost
At the end of the day, slots can be a fun avenue to pass your time while also giving you the chance of earning some income. But for it to stay that way (and not become a problem), you have to know when it’s time to stop.
It doesn’t matter if you’re on a hot streak or if you’ve been shelling money non-stop for hours. Give some consideration to why you’re playing slots and your goals at the end of your playtime. If you feel like playing slots has lost its lustre, then perhaps it’s time to take a break.
Before you start, also decide how much time and money you’re willing to dedicate to playing slots and stick to it to keep yourself accountable. You are responsible for your own well-being whether it be your financial or mental health.
Slots can be one of the most exhilarating games to experience, which makes it even more vital to set some limits before you click on the button to spin the reels. You certainly do not want to get so caught up in an endorphin-filled trance that you keep spinning and spend way more than you can actually afford to chase a payout that may or may not come your way.
