Another of our recent reels on Facebook got some commenting, and we’re here to clear up the misconceptions:
Anyone who puts in hours on slots knows the “facts” don’t always appear to apply as casinos have the ability to manipulate volatility.
Larry S.
Those who think they can detect patterns may be overstating their superpower (and we’d love to see win/loss proof showing otherwise).
Casinos have zero control over the volatility of a slot machine. The volatility of a slot is established as part of the game’s design. The game makers want their game to work and feel a certain way, and so that’s fully in their control and not the casino.
As we shared in a previous article, the randomness of slots can feel punishing at times, but we shared the example of a slot that, even when it bonuses on average every 100 spins, has a more than 13 percent chance of going over 200 spins without a bonus (thanks to our reader Don M. for previously doing some calculations on that).
We also shared that casinos can’t control payback per player, and the payback setting in the slot is among the few they have control over.
Here’s the thing: Volatility doesn’t matter to the casino. They’re in it for the long run. And the longer that machine sits and gets played, regardless of volatility, the closer and closer it’ll generally get to its long term expected payback. Short term swings will over time be offset. This is why most players have net losses at casinos on an annual basis.
So they don’t need, or want, to control volatility. Each of us individual players isn’t that important to need that sort of control. Players get in their head that the casinos want to extract their money as quickly and efficiently as possible, and your playing slots is already accomplishing that with among the lowest return to player (RTP) among games on the casino floor.
They’re also among the most profitable – you don’t need a dealer, a pit boss, etc. for every small group of players. One slot attendant can cover a good number of machines on the floor.
Slots are purpose built with a house edge – your session is all down to chance, albeit chance with a healthy margin baked in for the casino. Your choice of game will determine the potential for volatility, but by game design, not because the casino’s looking for another $50 out of you.
