How To Calculate The Probability Of Winning At Slots

The design of slot machines, even super-modern ones, is insomuch simple that calculating the theoretical probability of winning is not a difficult task. However, there is one catch as follows: for such calculations, it is necessary to know exactly the number of game symbols on each reel, and it can be huge in modern slots. The developers of emulators are also not at all eager to reveal the main trick allowing calculating winning chances in slots.

Winning Probability

Conceptually, winning probability can be calculated mathematically, but it is impossible to determine in practice which combination of symbols the player will get on a slot machine in the next round. The fact is that the result of each spin is determined by a random number generator; it is simply impossible to crack its algorithm and look at the principle according to which the generator gives out the result in the form of matching game symbols.

How to Predict a Chance

Modern emulators, which you can meet in every online casino, work in much the same way as the legendary one-armed bandits of the past. They also have a fixed number of reels, and each has a certain number of different game symbols. The chance of victory is calculated depending on these two numbers by a simple exponentiation.

For example, if a slot machine provides 3 reels, 20 characters each, then the number of combinations is 20 per 3 degrees, that is, 20 x 20 x 20 = 8,000 combinations. For 3 reels and 32 characters, the number of combinations will be equal to 32,768 (32 x 32 x 32); and if the device has 4 reels and only 22 characters each, then the number of combinations will be 234,256 (22 x 22 x 22 x 22).

Now that the number of combinations has been calculated, there is nothing to do but to determine the chances of a certain sequence of game symbols falling out. For example, the chances of hitting the jackpot (three sevens) on a classic slot machine with 3 reels and 20 symbols on each (provided that there is only one seven on each reel) are 1 to 8,000 (1/20 x 1/20 x 1/20). If there are two sevens on one reel, and one at a time on the other two, the probability is considered as 2/20 x 1/20 x 1/20 and the chance is 1 to 4,000.

Big Win Tricks

Since finding the exact number of game symbols in modern slot machines is a difficult task and clearly not for an ordinary player, the trick of big wins in slots is not in mathematical calculations. In order to win, it is necessary first to increase chances of winning by choosing slots. From the above calculations, it is quite obvious that the smaller the number of reels, the fewer possible combinations and the greater the chance to get a match of game characters.

Thus, the main trick of winning at slot machines is to choose the simplest slots with a minimum number of reels and paylines. They possibly look very simple and not interesting, but bring the greatest profit in the long run.