Slot Machine Myths Debunked: Understanding How Slots Work

Slots are an everyman’s game. From minimum bettors to high rollers, anyone can enjoy a spin at the one-armed bandit. That’s not to say, however, that certain players don't have rituals, techniques, or other strategies they believe improve their odds of winning.

But do these tactics truly work? And if they do, how can you use them to line up those cherries and take home a pile of dough? Well, your lucky rabbit’s foot probably won’t score you any jackpots—though there is some key information you should learn before sitting down for a spin.

Let’s whirl through the ins and outs of slot machines, dispel a few common myths, and explore potential approaches you can use to up your chances of cashing out. Get your spinning arm ready—Ocean Casino Resort is revealing the secrets of slots for all our guests. 

Myth 1: Machines That Haven’t Paid Out in a While are Due for a Win

This is a common theory that, on the surface, makes a lot of sense. For those who believe in luck, a cold streak can only last so long, and a series of wins is inevitable after taking multiple losses.

But slot machines don’t follow this logic. This is because:

• Each spin is random—on digital and analog machines.
• Your current spin is independent of previous turns outside of minigames, bonus rewards, and similar special screens.
• Slot machines use Random Number Generators to ensure the previous turn’s results don’t influence the outcome of the current spin.

In essence, each turn is its own world—meaning there’s no need to keep your eyes peeled for paltry payouts and machines that seem to give recurring losses. Simply pick a machine and start to spin—you’ll have the same odds whether it just paid out a jackpot or hasn’t seen a winner all day.

Myth 2: Bigger Bets Increase Your Odds of Winning

Since bigger bets equate to larger returns, players can be quick to assume putting down a huge wager likewise increases their chances of winning overall. Unfortunately, this belief is false due to a legal framework called Return-to-Player rates (RTP).

RTPs are dictated by the jurisdiction in which the casino operates. They set a minimum standard for how much money, as a percentage of what players feed into the machine, must be returned via winnings. They don’t, however:

• Denote which players will receive money back
• Say when a machine needs to pay out
• Control how much a player gets back during a single turn—even if their spin is a win

RTP dispels many of the myths associated with slot machines but, if there’s one key takeaway it can teach you, let it be: Higher bets don’t mean increased odds of winning.

Myth 3: Slots Pay Out Less When You Use Player Rewards Cards

This persistent, pesky myth is not only wrong, it’s detrimental to avid players hoping to collect points as they play their favorite slots. The fact of the matter is that this claim is categorically false. Whether or not you insert a rewards card, slot machines don’t:

• Change your chances of success
• Pay out lower winnings
• Affect your play in any way

Feel free to insert your player card—including your Ocean Rewards Card—into any machine you please. In the end, it’ll have no effect on the game’s outcome. 

Myth 4: Video Slots Have Lower Odds Than Mechanical Machines

This myth lives on as players feel more in control with mechanical machines. They can pull the arm, see the wheels turning, and witness them fall into place with the (correct) assumption that the outcome was determined from the start of the spin. 

On the other hand, certain players believe a video screen will change a potential win into a loss to avoid paying out. Due to the aforementioned rules of RTP, this is also false. Both video and mechanical slots operate on the same odds and no machine changes your spin outcome to avoid payout.

In fact, video machines are just mechanical machines made modern for our computerized world. They operate with much of the same technology as older machines and produce an equal number of wins. 

Myth 5: Certain Machines Are Hot and Known to Pay Out More Often

Just like certain players believe a cold machine is due for a profitable turnaround, many think specific hot machines reward players more than other slots. This is completely untrue and any hot streaks observed on single machines are easily explained by:

• A random, unrelated string of wins that just so happen to occur at a specific machine
• A single, large jackpot that gets everyone excited about a certain slot
• Untrustworthy, mythologized word of mouth circulating on the casino floor

Don’t bother cruising the floor looking for the highest odds of winning. Don’t crowd a hot machine until the player finishes. Just pick a slot that appeals to you, place your bet, and enjoy yourself. 

Myth 6: Casino Employees Can Change Your Game’s Outcome

Aliens are more likely to interfere with your slot machine’s outcome than casino staff. As mentioned, RTP dictates how much money a machine pays out and those rates are set by local laws.

RTP isn’t the only rule governing slot machines, however. Regulations vary from state to state, but they’re always heavily controlled and monitored. Casino employees have no way to influence the results of a spin and strict legal frameworks ensure it stays that way.

Myth 7: External Factors Can Influence Your Odds

Many players believe a crowded casino leads to better chances of winning. Others say the time of day you play matters more than anything else. But, realistically, neither of these is true.

The only factors that affect your outcome are a machine’s RTP and the randomness of your particular spin. Luck may be part of it, but the conditions inside the casino have no influence on your results.

Put Your New Slot Knowledge to the Test at Ocean Casino Resort

Now that you know the ups and downs of slots, why not exercise your knowledge in real life with a trip to Ocean Casino Resort?

We have nearly 2,000 slot machines ready and waiting for you to play. Plus, now that you realize the time of day, crowd, and other factors have no bearing on your play, there’s never a wrong moment to get down to our gaming floor. 

Ocean Casino Resort is Atlantic City’s home for slots. Find your favorite machine and start spinning your way to a jackpot.

Sources: 

Poker News. The Top 5 Slot Machine Myths: Debunking the Lies. https://www.pokernews.com/casino/top-5-slot-machine-myths.htm. 

American Casino Guide Book. Top Five Slot Machine Myths. https://www.americancasinoguidebook.com/slot-machines/top-five-slot-machine-myths.html. 
Rossland News. 5 Myths Worth Busting to Help Keep Gambling Fun. https://www.rosslandnews.com/marketplace/5-myths-worth-busting-to-help-keep-gambling-fun-4943031.