Online slots are one of the most popular games found at online and land-based casinos today. Their exciting themes, elaborate graphics, and potential for huge jackpots make slot machines an entertaining gambling activity. However, precisely because slots rely so much on luck and chance, there are a lot of misconceptions and myths about how they work. In this post, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths about online slots and reveal the cold hard facts in plain terms. With a proper understanding of how slots work, you can enjoy them responsibly while dismissing unrealistic myths that claim to cheat the system.
Online Slot Myth 1: Online Slots Are Rigged
No, online slots are not rigged.
The software developers who create these games are highly regulated, which means that before they launch they must be compliant. One of these regulators is eCOGRA (e-Commerce Online Gambling Regulation And Assurance), who are an organisation based in the UK that specialise in testing, inspection and certification of online gambling software and systems.
Slot RTP (return to player) varies from game to game. Therefore certain games will have a higher/lower RTP. Slot machines typically have a RTP of 94% to 96%.
If an RTP of an online slot machine is 85%, this means that for roughly every £1 million that goes into the machine £850,000 will be paid out. Some players may lose more than 15% of their money, while others may actually win and get back more than they put in. But when you average out the results across thousands or millions of spins by many different players, the slot machine is mathematically designed to pay out 85% of the money wagered. So while results will vary per player, on average the return across all players will approach 85% as more spins are played.
Due to these odds players can go on losing streaks and believe that the slots must be rigged.
Online Slot Myth 2: Online Slots Are Not As Fair As Land-Based Casino Slots
Online slots are just as fair as land based casino slots.
Licensed online casinos have to have their software and payout percentages verified by third party testing agencies.
Players have an equal chance of winning money on online casinos as they do in a land-based casino.
Online Slot Myth 3: Slots Are Easier To Win On At Certain Times Of The Day
No, online slot machines are not easier to win at certain times of the day.
Online slot machines will have the same number of payouts no matter what time of day it is. These machines are random, so you can’t gain an edge over them at certain times of the day.
Online Slot Myth 4: Slots Get “Hot” And “Cold”
Online slot machines do not get hot or cold.
It is a common misconception that slot machines go through cycles of paying out and not paying out.
A hot slot game is one that is believed to be paying out more to players. The likely reason for someone believing a machine is hot, is probably due to a player being on a lucky streak.
A cold slot game is one that is believed to be paying out less to players. Similar to the hot slot machine myth, this myth is likely due to a player being on a losing streak.
Online Slot Myth 5: You Can Become A Online Slots Expert
Online slot machines are completely random. Due to the game being random knowledge and experience cannot have an effect on your results.
All players have the same likelihood of getting a payout on a slot machine.
In other games like poker or blackjack you can become a better player and increase your odds.
A slot machine’s RTP is fixed and will not change.
Online Slot Myth 6: You’re More Likely To Win If You Play Max Bet
Placing the max bet will not have an effect on your chances of winning.
By playing larger bets you are increasing your payouts and that is all.
The same is found when placing small bets. Small bets do not affect your chances of winning. All it affects is the amount of payout you receive.
Online slot machines use RNG (random number generation) to ensure random results on slot machines. The RNG is a computer chip that generates a constant stream of completely random numbers. These random numbers correspond to different potential outcomes on the reels. Each number generated will map to a certain combination of symbols across the reels. The RNG doesn’t care if the machine hit a jackpot on the last spin or hasn’t paid out in ages. The randomness ensures the house maintains its mathematical edge over time, while giving players an equal chance to win on each spin.
Online Slot Myth 7: Autoplay Pays Less Than Spinning the Reels Manually
Autoplays do not pay out less than spinning the reels manually.
The autoplay feature allows the user to play the game automatically without having to keep pressing the spin button. The autoplay will keep going for a specified amount of spins.
This feature has no negative effects on the results you will see when playing online slots.
Autoplay is simply just a feature to make the game more enjoyable for certain players.
In the UK the autoplay feature is no longer available. This decision was made to make online slots safer for the player.
Online Slot Myth 8: You Can Predict When A Slot Will Pay Out
It is not possible to predict when a slot will pay out.
Slot machines are completely random, meaning that it is a game of chance.
Many people claim that online slot machines have a payout cycle; this is simply not true. It is actually illegal for an online slot machine to alter how much a slot machine pays out.
Players often believe that slot machines pay out more on nights. However, it just seems this way because more people are playing at this time.
Summary Of The Myths And Truths About Online Slots
Online slot machines have many myths surrounding them but as you can see many of these myths are just that, myths. Online slot machines are highly regulated, making the games fair for the player. So as long as you are playing on licensed online casinos you know that the games are random.
Please remember to always gamble responsibly.
