We've all heard the hype about the casinos, use warm coins, this machine just paid off don't play it, that machine hasn't hit for awhile better play it. All these have one thing in common, they're FALSE. The random number generators inside the slot machines determine the outcome of the game the instant you press the spin button or pull the handle to play the game.
Here's a few more myths that are completely 100% false.
Myth #1 - A slot machine that has received extended play with no significant payouts is "due" to hit. There is NO truth to this myth as outcomes are decided by a combination of randomness and probability factor.
Myth #2 - If the machine feels cold to the touch, cold coins/tokens should be used. Likewise, if the machine is warm to the touch, warmed up coins/tokens should be used. The temperature of the machine and/or coins has absolutely NO bearing on anything at all. In fact if you find some warm coins it's generally because the cooling fan on the sides of the machines aren't working properly.
Myth #3 - If a slot machine has just hit for the top jackpot, it isn't going to hit it again for a very, very long time. Randomness and probability factor decide when the machine "hits" again. Nothing more - nothing less.
Myth #4 - The casinos loosen and tighten the machines at will. While the casinos DO keep an eye on who wins/loses, they do NOT "tweak" the machines. Slot payouts are very tightly regulated. In most gaming jurisdictions when a casino wants to change the return of a machine there must be a gaming agent present and that gaming agent will use his laptop computer to verify that the chip coming out is what was supposed to be in there and the one going in is the one that is supposed to be going in. So as you can see it's much easier to get a dolly and move a good paying machine to another location.
Myth #5 - Slot machines are the worst bet you can make in a casino - All I can say is glance over to the keno machines, there you will find the worst bet in the casino, we're talking 30% to 35% hold on most keno games.
Myth #6 - Pull the handle you'll win - Doesn't matter if you pull the handle, push the button, plunk in the coins, use your elbow, stand on your head or anything else. If when you push the button/pull the handle the RNG selects a winning combination you'll win, if not you will not win.
Myth #7 - Casino employees know when a machine is due - Give this one a little thought, don't you think if your scantly clad waitress knew a machine was about to hit a jackpot that she would tell you? No, she would have her boyfriend or husband or brother or mother playing it and you would see them hit the jackpot.
Myth #8 - Casinos can turn the machines on and off, that makes everyone win at once and then turn them off and get all the money back - Wrong, there is no master control room that controls the payouts on slots. There is a slot control room but it only monitors when there is a problem on the machine like a hopper fill condition, hand paid jackpot condition or an alarm (yes all the machines have alarms on them) when a machine needs attention the person working the control room radios down to a slot attendant and tells them which machine and the problem, now you know why they all wear radios. Besides being very illegal, don't you think they would leave them in the off position all the time, afterall they are there to make money. All slot machines have cycles, they have take cycles and pay cycles. This isn't saying that you won't win a coin in a take cycle, generally some of the best hits are in the take cycles. And this also isn't saying that you'll hit a jackpot in a pay cycle.
Myth #9 - I just got up from that machine and she/he hit the jackpot, if I only would have played it - Not unless you're so in sync with that other person that you pushed the button at the exact 1/1000'th of a second that they did. It's all random.
Myth #10 - I bought this system on the internet for $40 now I'm going to win or I bought this keychain for $399 off the internet and I can point it at this machine, press the button and I'll win - There are no systems that can guarantee that you'll win anything, in fact there is nothing guaranteed in a casino at all. Just because the guy next to you said he bought this system and the first machine he played hit a jackpot doesn't mean that it worked. It just means that he was at the right place at the right time. As far as the jackpotters type of devices, well all I can say is you'd feel funny if you found out you had spent $300, $400, or $500 for a plastic box, 9 volt battery and an LED, because that's about all you get. Slot machines are stringently tested at the manufacturer with radio frequency, shock stick, magnets, almost everything you can think of. You can not cheat a slot machine, period.
Myth #11 - If I don't play with my players club card this machine will hit - This has to be the number 1 mistake, it will cost you money. The card reader and RNG are in no way connected. When you put your players card in the infomation is sent to the players club computer and it records your wins and losses, that's all. It has no effect on the outcome of the game.
Myth #12 - Play on the ends of aisles and near where people stand in line, that's where the better paying machines are located - Another myth, if slot directors did that don't you think there would be people lined up to play these machines? Most slot floors now machines are grouped together by denomination, not payouts. This isn't saying that a 98% nickel machine can be sitting between 2 87% nickel machines, it can, I've seen it. You just have to pick your favorite game and play it.
There are hundreds and possibly thousands more myths and misconceptions about slot machines. Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
