Random Number Generator
Whether it’s a modern brick and mortar slots machine or a virtual one online, the “brain” that determines slots number selections has changes a great deal since the game’s earliest days. Back then, slots had only a few reels holding up to twenty symbols, controlled by an interior mechanism. This mechanical system made it possible for both patient players to calculate winning patterns and unscrupulous casino managers to make sure that the house never lost. To prevent cheating on both sides, modern slots machines use a computer algorithm called a random number generator (RNG). This program runs through and lands on thousands of possible number/symbol combinations within seconds, even when no one is playing the machine. Many people have gotten rich selling “techniques” to suckers on how to beat the RNG, but the truth is that it’s not possible. Players should in fact report casinos with predictable RNG-driven games, as operators there are most likely setting players up for a fall.
Real Time Gaming
Real Time Gaming (RTG) is a software developer that is one of the world’s largest providers of online slots games, with well over a hundred titles. The slots games generally feature three to five reels, and varying paylines. This is a popular game brand among players because RTG games offer players “extras” such as Free Spins, Bonus Spins, and “games within games”. These offer players increased or additional winnings by guessing number sequences, card suits, etc. Many RTG games offer large or progressive jackpots as well, which can sometimes offer payouts of millions of dollars. Because there are so many RTG games now available online, a number of gaming sites and bloggers have begun compiling statistical information on the “winningest” of these. While these stats don’t exactly offer a formula, they do offer players a chance to see what titles offer the greatest chance of making money.
Reels
“Reels” refers to the vertical, changeable sections of the slots playing field, as with a traditional slots game. Physical slots machines of yore had only three reels. Modern ones offer three, five, and seven, and most online slots games have five. There are advantages to playing a five-reel game. It increases the odds of hitting a winning combination. And because this type of slots game is so popular, most developers include “extras” like wild and scatter symbols that can multiply a player’s earnings.
Paylines
With traditional slots, there’s only one payline, that center row where symbols must match up in order to win. With modern slots software, the sky’s the limit. Games now feature anywhere from fifteen to a hundred or more paylines in a single game. Some games require players to play all of the included paylines, while others allow players to select how many they want to play. And forget trying to score three lemons in only that center line. Today’s software slots rules allow making matches across reels:
- horizontally
- vertically
- diagonally
- zig-zag
This increases a player’s chances of gaining earnings, which are tallied up by the game for him/her. But there’s a catch to all of this payline playing. Each payline is considered a separately placed bet. So while multiple paylines can mean big winnings they can mean big losses too, if a night just isn’t your night. Players need to keep an eye on their bank and be ready to pull out quickly if the “multi-payline” strategy isn’t working.
To Progressive Jackpot Or Not To Progressive Jackpot?
These jackpots, which can occasionally grow to millions of dollars, are “pooled” ones that multiple casinos participate in. Players should be aware that while they are legitimate, the odds of winning them are astronomical. Feasible chances of winning these jackpots involve placing large bets. And although not advertised, the winnings are usually split among multiple winners. One’s odds at scoring at online slots improves when setting one’s sights on smaller prizes.
