Slot Payback percentages

[Mark]

This quote is from another slot machine tips website:

'In addition, the casino can (and routinely do) change the payback percentages and hit frequencies of machines from a central control computer.'

Is this true or not? I was always told that the chip that changes playback percentages is in each individulal slot machine and to change it, they'd have to actually remove it and replace it with another.

[Steve Bourie]

Re: Slot Payback %

Slot payback percentages are not controlled by a central computer.

In order to change the payback percentage the chip must be changed in each machine.

There is, however, a new generation of machines being tested where the game itself (which would include the chip controlling the payback percentage) can be changed from a central computer.

According to Nevada gaming regulations, before making the change, the machine must be idle for four minutes and then a message must be displayed on the machine to notify the public that the game is being changed. After the change, the machine must again remain idle for four more minutes before being played.

These machines are being tested in some casinos around the country.

For more information on how slots work, listen to some podcasts on the following page:
http://www.americancasinoguide.com/podcasts.shtml

[RenoRed]

Re: Slot Payback %

I think that it is true, however, in Nevada at least, that this 'Changing' would not affect Video Poker which is a randomly dealt game as rerquired by Nevada law.

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RR

[slotmaster]

Re: Slot Payback %

When they changed the machines from coin to ticket in ticket out they all went to a central computer. That is why sometimes they payback when they want them to, like on weekends and holidays .Most of the times they paycack very little. This is whats called the greed factor.

[Buddha]

Re: Slot Payback %

Oh, please ... myths are nothing more than excuses for losing. And almost all slot machines are going to be losers. Even if the RNG is chip is programmed at 95% (very few are that high) ... you WILL lose money without a 'lucky' hit.
Just because the ticket cash-out is on a central computer, as well as the central connection for the player's card, that does NOT mean that the RNG is also connected.

The casino does not have to cheat to take your money. All they need to do is put in a bunch of machines that you have no way of knowing whether it is an 85% chip or a 99% chip, and let you sit there and lose your money. At least with a Video Poker machine, I can tell just by looking what the payback is ... and pick out a good machine, or leave.

[Jake]

Re: Slot Payback %

Buddha is correct...all these myths are excuses for bad decisions at slots...I read a couple of years ago that the old 'Mint' hotel in Vegas started to really let their machines pay and attracted loads of players. The accountants said in one day a million dollars was paid out (which was a lot of bucks in those days) but only $3000 left the Casiono! People play it back...Jake