The 5 Most Common Misconceptions About Slot Machines

15/01/2019

We've all had a spin on traditional fruities and slots at some point, and we've also all heard the rumours and myths about how and when they pay out, or the tricks to get a win. There are all kinds of whispers about how many spins it takes a certain machine to pay out, or whether lever-operated slots are easier to win on than button machines – it's a conspiracy theorist's dream. Below, we look at five of the most common misconceptions about slots so you can spin superstition-free.

Slots Pay Out at Set Times

This could well be the most common myth of all. It's even shown in films from time to time. The idea is that a machine will pay out once it receives a certain amount of money. Some people even believe that the time of day has an impact on the results, too. While it might seem that way if you watch the slots like a hawk trying to find an edge, the reality is that no slots work this way. The chance of a payout is essentially completely random.

Lever Slots are Better Than Button Slots

This is another classic superstition more at home in the big casinos of Vegas. Some people swear that the old-school lever slots are far more generous with their payouts. The argument is that because you play more slowly, you increase your chances of winning. This doesn't really make sense of course, because if anything the opposite is true – more spins are more likely to net a win given the fact that winning is, again, essentially chance based.

There are 'Hot' and 'Cold' Machines

Some players will share hushed whispers at the bar about how a certain machine always seems to pay out, but again, unfortunately, these tantalising titbits are simply not true. If you ever do seem to see this happen, it's down to pure coincidence. While it's true that some machines might have differing RTP percentages as with online slots, these generally aren't enough to really sway things so much that one machine becomes noticeably more generous than another.

Progressive Slots Are Beginner Friendly

This is a misleading one. Beginner players tend to be attracted to the massive potential payout of a progressive machine, and understandably so. However, these games can sometimes have a number of complicated features that you need to understand in order to unlock access to the bonus game that can lead to winning that huge jackpot. It's much better to start with simple low-stakes games if you're a new player.

There's Anything Other Than RNG At Play

Not a myth, but perhaps the most important thing to remember when it comes to slots, whether you're playing online or on physical machines. The fact is that while you can certainly influence the outcome of a game to some degree using knowledge, it really all comes down to one thing: the random number generator. If you've been lucky, and you managed to sway the odds a little in your favour through careful play, you might catch a win. But that's all it really is – luck.

So, hopefully that's dispelled some of the more common myths at work. Playing slots can be fun and sometimes rewarding of course, but always remember to play within your limits, and that ultimately, there's no guaranteed way to win no matter what you hear.