The passion that slot machines involve and players’ deep and strong desire to unravel the essence of their mechanics and dominate them to win have led to many slot machine myths. They all come from misconceptions that only blur -rather than clarify- players’ minds.
Since their creation, people involved have explained the mechanism for them to spin. Later, when modern online slots appeared on stage, different gambling experts and game developers openly talked about the software behind these gambling games and the Random Number Generator (RNG) responsible for ensuring the games’ randomness and fairness. But guess what? No technical explanation has killed slot machine myths. Some are as old as the slot machines –created in the 19th century-. They manage to survive among players and travel generation after generation through the powerful word of mouth.
Well, it is enough! Today, we will discuss slot machine myths and misconceptions that deserve to die!
You can strategize to beat the slots
Guys, let’s accept that is a myth, a total misconception. Let’s crack the point before those who believe this start booing loudly, “You say so because you have never won, so you never tried the trick correctly.”
Players can make strategic decisions to optimize their chances of winning while playing slots. For instance, choosing convenient return-to-player (RTP) slot games is wise. Higher RTP slots statistically return more money to players over the long run, enhancing your chances of winning. Bonuses and promotions will also help you maximize your budget. They will extend your playtime, and increase your chances of winning without additional cost. Understanding slots’ volatility is essential to strategically choosing slots that match your playing style and bankroll. If you have a smaller budget and prefer steady wins, go for low-volatility slots. High volatility slots might be better if you aim for big wins and can handle longer dry spells.
Such decisions must be part of your slot strategy to play. We agree! But when players mean with “strategy” that you can make plans or use some tricks to influence or force the winning results of slot games in your favor, turn on your alert! You are about to enter the realm of slot machine myths and misconceptions.
Slot machines work with software; a random number generator (RNG) defines each outcome. An RNG is a computer algorithm that creates random sequences of numbers. These numbers correspond to the symbols on the slot machine reels, defining the outcome of each spin. The RNG ensures that each spin is independent of the previous, providing a fair and unbiased outcome. The randomness guarantees that the results cannot be predicted or manipulated, maintaining the integrity of the game.
So, strategies to stop the slot precisely on a winning combination or the detection of patterns in the results to predict future outcomes do not make sense. They are myths that can only cause frustration, drain your energy, and kill the fun of playing.
You can trick the slot machines
Some players skip the “strategy” as a plan of action to reach a long-term or overall objective and go directly to “let’s trick the software’s machine.” Movies where an intelligent guy defrauds the casino out of millions or the obsession with winning, lead some players to forget the joy of playing and focus on developing techniques to trick the slots. Based on knowledge and resources, some can attempt to hack slots’s software, but that involves already illegal activities that authorities can punish with jail. The more common tricks some players recommend are to use a “magic” combination of buttons when spinning, press the spin button non-stopping, or press the stop button so you can influence the results and win.
Those actions don’t work. As we explained in the previous myth, slot machines are highly sophisticated and tamper-proof designed. The RNG ensures that the result of each spin is random and player actions or button-pressing techniques cannot influence it. Once you hit the spin button, nothing can change the outcome internally defined by the RNG.
Falling for the gambler’s fallacy
Gamblers’ fallacy is a common cognitive bias and misconception that occurs when people incorrectly believe that previous outcomes influence the outcome of a random event. For example, if a coin is flipped and lands on tails several times in a row, a person might believe that heads are “due” on the next flip despite each flip being independent with a 50/50 chance.
Experts blame our human brains because they are wired to detect patterns and seek order, which can lead to the misperception of randomness as having trends or cycles. The problem is such cognitive bias can lead to irrational decisions and financial losses. For instance, slot players who fall into this fallacy often expect that random events will balance out in the short term, even though this expectation is statistically unfounded. Based on this, they might continue playing a slot game that has not paid out in a while, believing a win is imminent.
The reality is that each spin on a slot machine is independent and random. Past results do not influence future spins. Base your decisions on your strategy and budget, not on fallacies or slot machine myths.
Slot machines are due for a payout
In the early days, this idea was popular among many slot players. In physical casinos, it was common to see slot enthusiasts looking inside the slots -through the glass- to check how high or low the coin tubes were. Empty tubes pointed out the machine had paid recently. Full tubes were the sign players looked for because the machine “was due” to pay out. They could not know when this would happen, but a “soon” in mind was enough to try until, eventually, some won. Then, those players took the luck of some to make this a solid statement.
Since then, slot machines have evolved, and now most enthusiasts play online slots. However, the idea remains among many players who refer to slots as “hot” or “cold” machines. A hot slot means it is more likely to pay out, while a cold one is less likely to pay out. It is another of the slot machine myths and misconceptions you should avoid.
Slot machines operate on random number generators (RNGs), which ensure that each spin is independent of the previous one. No pattern, cycle, or memory of prior spins determines when a machine will pay out. A machine that hasn’t paid out in a long time is just as likely (or unlikely) to pay out on the next spin as one that recently paid out.
Casinos can control when slots payout
Some players think casinos can adjust slot machines to pay out more or less frequently at will. Well, the reality is more complex than that. It can happen but is illegal, so you must avoid playing at unlicensed casinos or sites. Our team of experts filters such casinos and leave only the good ones on our Best gambling site chart.
Slot machines available in licensed casinos are programmed with specific payout percentages, known as the Return to Player (RTP), set by the manufacturers and regulated by gaming authorities. Casinos cannot alter these settings on the fly and at will. Any changes to a machine’s payout settings require regulatory approval and physical adjustments, which regulatory bodies monitor and control.
Slots pay more at specific times
Some players firmly believe that casinos have a “policy” to tighten slot machines when they are busy -weekends, for instance- to increase their profit and to loosen them when they need to attract more players. We have heard many recommending playing on specific days or schedules, early in the day or night, because slots are more likely to pay out at those times. Have you scheduled your slot session based on that? If yes, welcome to the slot machine myths zone!
Players look for patterns in their losses and wins to avoid or repeat them. If someone wins a big prize during a slow hour, other players can assume this as a winning clue -rather than a random event- worth trying. The rumor spreads, and soon, many will take it as truth.
Once again, RNGs ensure that each spin’s outcome is entirely random, regardless of the time of day, and not influenced by external factors like the casino’s business schedule. The time or day you play does not affect your chances of winning.
Max bets increase your odds of winning
Some players think that betting the maximum amount raises their possibility of hitting a jackpot or winning more often while playing slots.
Here, you should be careful and remember that not every slot game follows the same rules or has the same return to player (RTP) or volatility level. Applying this to all slots is a false generalization and a mistake.
Betting the max can increase the size of your potential winnings only in specific slots. For instance, to play progressive jackpots, betting the max is a condition to be eligible to receive the highest jackpot. However, it does not increase the odds of winning on each spin. The RNG determines the winning odds and remains the same regardless of the bet size. Always check if the game requires max bets to qualify for specific bonuses or jackpots before playing. Don’t base your slot budget and bets on slot machine myths.
New slots pay out more to attract players
Some players believe they must try new slots as soon as they are released on the market to increase their chances of winning. A widespread misconception points out that new slot machines are set to pay out more initially to attract players.
Before believing such slot machine myths and misconceptions, remember that casino games are expensive and regulated acquisitions for casinos. The manufacturer sets the RTP, which remains consistent from the moment the machine is installed. Casinos can’t modify the software (RTP and RNG included). In such a case, they must ask the manufacturer to do this. It will have an extra cost, and they must do it carefully to avoid violating the law. The manufacturer and the casino could lose their licenses to operate. Such practice is not viable for licensed casinos to afford.
New slot games have predetermined payout rates as older slots and rely on RNGs’ randomness. Rather than adjust payouts to lure players, casinos create different marketing campaigns to promote new slots. These actions can include special and high bonuses, free spins or other promotions.
Joining loyalty programs affects slot payouts
Some players believe that joining loyalty programs is a trap that directly impacts your potential winnings. They say that once you join them, casinos file records with all your winnings and losses to control and reduce your slot wins.
There is another misconception here. When you join a loyalty program, the casino will have your performance statistics to offer you bonuses, promotions, games, and benefits that match your preferences. Slots software runs independently. If the casino requires a loyalty code or card for logging in, this will track your play. It will reward you with points and other benefits. However, the slot game’s outcomes will remain entirely random. Participating in a loyalty program does not impact a slot machine’s RNG or payout frequency. If someone insists on this, you can confidently say it is just another slot machine myth.
Conclusion
There are many slot machine myths and misconceptions that deserve to die. The gambling industry is one of the most supervised and regulated by authorities. The RNG, RTP, and payout settings of slot machines are challenging to alter. To do it without a valid reason and informing the corresponding authorities can have severe consequences for casinos, manufacturers, and everyone involved.
Understanding these myths and the reality behind slot machine mechanics is essential to stopping the spreading of false beliefs, making informed decisions, and enjoying slot sessions with the mind free of myths. Good luck!