Understanding Probability in Slot Machine Games

Let’s be honest – when you’re playing slots at O'Town Casino online, math and probability are probably the furthest things from your mind. You’re here to kick back, have a drink and enjoy the gaming experience, and possibly win the big jackpot at the slot machines.

But it’s probably worthwhile to stop and think for a second about how probability affects your slots results. Sure you want to have a nice leisurely time playing casino games, but you also don’t want to lose all your money in a hurry. If you take a moment to get a better understanding of slot machine games and the mathematical principles governing them, it might do you – and your real-money account balance some good.

What’s an Average Payout Anyway?

Typically, when you sit down to play at a slot machine either online or in a physical casino, the game advertises an average payout of 90-something percent. Most people glance at that number, note that it’s mighty close to 100, and that’s good enough for them. But what does it really mean?

Another, less euphemistic, way of putting it is that for every $1 you put into these slot machines, you’ll get 90-something cents back out. That said, it’s not a cut-and-dry equation – you don’t put in $100 and cash out $90 or so every time you play; we’re just talking overall probabilities. There’s variance in the game. Sometimes you get lucky and hit the big jackpot right away, sometimes you slowly build up to double your initial stake, and sometimes you hit a rough patch and nickel-and-dime yourself to a big loss. Whenever you gamble, you should be willing to accept losing. Don’t risk your money if you’re not prepared for a bad beat.

Finding Your Strategy

Every time you sit down to play a slot machine – for example, your favorite halloween-themed slot game at O'Town Casino – you should think about how much money you have and how far it’ll take you. Assess the size of your bankroll and ask yourself – how many spins will it buy?

Let’s take the example of a land-based casino where you’re playing nickel slot machines with $10 in change. Theoretically, if you bet all 200 nickels in your roll, you should come out with $9 or so on average, according to the math. Then if you bet that $9 again, you would come away with $8.10. Bet it again and you’ll trend toward $7.30, then $6.60 and downward. Gradually, your bankroll will begin to slip away, but hey – at least you’re still in the game (unless of course you get lucky and have a great winning spin or trigger a bonus round to send some extra cash your way).

Before you begin playing a slot game, you can do a quick calculation about how long you can theoretically play with a given bankroll. If you want your money to last longer, maybe you should play for lower stakes, whereas if you’re OK with spending it quickly, in the hopes of a bigger payout, it might be fine to bet bigger. It depends whether you’re in the mood for a full evening of entertainment at the casino or just a quick game or two in the hopes of catching lightning in a bottle.

Playing slot machines like Halloween Fortune slots may not be a sure-fire route to great riches, but it’s an enjoyable way to pass an afternoon or an evening. If you possess an understanding of slot machine games and the probability of payouts, you can optimize your gaming experience. Bet big or bet small – play fast or play slow. Whatever style of play works best for you, you can find in an online casino like O'Town Casino.