Walk into any casino and you are likely to see rows upon rows of slot machines dotting the landscape. These twirling, spinning machines are the most popular attraction to be found in a betting arena. There is something quite thrilling about handing over a dollar only to be rewarded by winning two dollars. There are people who's entirely livelihood is tied to a casino's handle.

As Megabucks says, "One pull can change your life." Does it really happen this way? To some people this actually does happen. One pull and suddenly they find themselves a whole lot richer. For others it is a constant feeding of money into the machine that yields them nothing but heartbreak and frustration. It is a game of chance that always favors the house. But if you are wondering how slot machines work and think you can take them on, this article is for you.

What are slot machines?

Slot machines are mechanical devices that casinos use for those individuals not interested in card games or table game. The whole process is one where the individual competes against the machine and odds. Sometimes the numbers come up for you and you win and at other times it takes your money away. There is quite a variety of different types of slot machines that are found within a casino. You may feel like playing penny slots or if you are feeling adventurous move on up to the more adventurous slots that require five dollars or more to spin the wheel.

What is the history of slot machines?

Slot machines date back to 1891 when the first gambling machine was developed in Brooklyn, New York. The machine worked much like a poker machine. 50 face cards were arranged on drums and when the machine spun you had the opportunity to make the best hand out of the five cards it showed. Unfortunately if you were looking to make money, this was not the machine to do so on. It was designed to give out whatever the bar owner wished such as cigars or a free drink.

Later models would incorporate the use of symbols and an internal system that would produce winning combinations. But it was not until 1964 when Bally developed an electronic slot machine that would pay actual money instead of gum, beer or cigars. This new machine was set up so that attendants would not be necessary to award the prizes.

How do slot machines work?

Slot machines are a game of chance. There really is no skill involved. Whether or not you win is based on the number of drums inside the machine and the variety of combinations that can occur based on these drums and symbols. You simply insert money in the form of coins, cash or the new bar coded ticket system and you either pull the handle of the machine or you push a button. The machine will have a print out of its possible winning combinations on the face of the machine to tell you what the payout is.

What other names are slot machines called?

Well you have probably heard slot machines called one-armed bandits because of the look of the lever to the side of the machine. This may also be in reference to the fact that more often than not players will lose their money to the machine. In Britain slot machines are called fruit machines. This is probably due to the fact that most slot machines use symbols of fruit to make winning matches. In Australia the slot machine is known as a poker machine.

How much money does a slot machine make?

The amount of money that a slot machine makes is involved with the pay out system. The slot machine is programmed electronically to pay a certain pay out such as 95%. The typical pay out is around 82-98% of the money that is put into the machine. A certain percentage of the money played is given to the house and the rest is returned to the person playing the machine. The machine usually keeps 50% for itself and the house.

How much money does a casino make on slot machines?

Slot machines account for around 70% of a casino's revenue. Why would it be so high when compared to other high stakes gaming tables? It is because the majority of people do not want to play the gaming tables such as black jack, roulette or poker. They believe that the odds of them winning money are significantly higher with a slot machine. So they turn to slot machines. It is hard not to miss the significantly higher population of people sitting on a stool in front of a slot machine versus those that are sitting at a gaming table.

What are some of the terminology used regarding slot machines?

Well, you already know that a one-armed bandit refers to the slot machine itself but there are other terms that you may or may not be familiar with. The coin hopper is the little bucket beneath the machine that catches the coins as you cash out on a win. The coin hopper is becoming obsolete as more machines are turning to bar coded tickets that print out the money. One term you want or hope to become familiar with is "hand pay." This is when an attendant must personally pay you. Usually this only happens if the payout is too large for the machine to print, the machine is low on funds or the payout is at the point where it is tax deductible.

Can you cheat on slot machines?

In earlier models it was possible to cheat using a variety of methods but with new, electronic machines in place that are computer programmed the likelihood of being able to manipulate the machine is virtually impossible unless you know how to reprogram the machine. Most cases of defrauding a machine in today's gambling world comes from programmers that work within the casino to change how the software pays out and how often it pays out.

What is a Random Number Generator?

A Random Number Generator, or RNG, is how the machine selects the positions of the reels. The RNG is always being used to generate new combinations and positions for the payout. When a person presses the button or pulls the lever a new set of numbers is generated. Is there an obvious sequence to the numbers? Theoretically yes the numbers of a sequence could come up again after a certain amount of pulls on the machine.

What is Near-miss programming?

Ah that is the deceptive use of placing a winning combination just above the payout line. This causes the player to think that they have almost won and so will continue to play hoping that the next spin will be the big payout. Some countries and states regulate this sort of deception and have forbidden it.

Just enter your name and email to get your FREE Slot Machines gift immediately ! Name:                  Email Address: Your name and email address will not be sold, shared or disclosed to anyone. We promise to respect your privacy.

Technorati Tags: Slot Machines, Your Slot Machines Questions