Many players believe that stopping the reels early on a slot machine can change the outcome of a spin. In this blog post, we will see whether stopping the reels early changes the result on a slot machine or not. We’ll also discuss slot machine odds, whether stopping the reels helps and what skills are needed to play real money slots online.
Does Stopping a Slot Machine Change The Odds?
The myth is that stopping the reels on a slot machine changes the odds. Some players may see a winning combination flash before their eyes as the reels spin. So they try to pause the reels at the right time to try and catch that potential winning combination.
This myth is precisely that; a myth. It is entirely untrue that stopping the reels affects the result.
Sometimes when you play an online slot machine, there is an option to press a button and stop the reels early. However, controlling the reels when you play slots does not affect its odds. The odds remain the same whether you stop the reels early or don’t stop them at all.
The outcome of a spin has already been determined from the moment you have hit the spin button. This outcome has been chosen by the Random Number Generator (RNG). A RNG is a small electronic device that ensures every outcome is random and fair for all players.
When you play slots, the outcome is always random. However, a couple of things may help determine the odds of an online slot. The most common way to determine the odds of a slot machine is to take a look at the theoretical Return to Player (RTP) percentage.
Every slot has a different Return to Player percentage, which is the theoretical percentage that a casino may pay back to players over a long period. Payback percentages typically range from 80% to 99%, with the higher percentage potentially being the most appealing to some players.
If a slot has a payback percentage of 90%, this does not mean that you should expect to win back 90p per every £1 you spend. You could bet £1 and win nothing, or you could bet £1 and win £10. The RTP percentage is worked out over thousands, if not millions of spins. Every spin is entirely random, and you are never guaranteed a win regardless of what the Return to Player percentage is.
The house edge of a slot can also help you understand what the potential odds are. The house edge is the built-in advantage that an online casino has over its players. You can work out the house edge by subtracting the Return to Player percentage from 100.
For example, let’s say a slot has a RTP rate of 95%:
100 - 95 = 5
House edge = 5%
Does It Help To Stop The Reels on a Slot Machine?
If you stop the reels on a slot machine, this does not impact the outcome of a spin. Stopping the reels simply gives you your random outcome sooner. When you stop the reels on a slot, the outcome will still be random, and the odds will remain the same.
You have the same chance of winning or losing whether you stop the reels on a slot machine or not. The thing that affects your chances of winning is the Random Number Generator.
The RNG is a small computer inside a slot machine that generates thousands of possible combinations per second. Every number in the RNG represents a different symbol on the slot. When you hit spin, the RNG will generate a random number sequence of symbols, which will be revealed when the reels stop. If these match on a line, you win. If the symbols don’t match, you lose.
Every time you play slots online, the outcome will always be random, thanks to the Random Number Generator. The RNG has no memory of your previous gaming sessions and does not hold information on whether you have won or lost. Instead, each spin of the reels is entirely random to ensure fair play.
When you stop the reels early on a slot game, you are just reducing the amount of time you are playing for and might be hitting the spin button faster after placing another bet. Stopping the reels only speeds up the process. The RNG has already determined the outcome before the reels have started spinning. So, the same outcome would occur if you stopped the reels early or let them spin as usual.
Is There Any Skill To Playing Slots?
Online slots can be the easiest casino games to play. They are the top casino game of choice for many gamblers as they are relatively straightforward, do not require any strategy, come in various themes and can have multiple exciting bonus features.
It’s as simple as finding a slot you like in an online casino, placing your bet and hitting spin. The RNG determines the results. Whether you win or not, is based on the Random Number Generator, which generates thousands of random number sequences every second.
The RNG presents you with a random combination of symbols when you stop the reels. This could be a winning combination of matching symbols, or a losing combination where the symbols do not match.
While there isn’t any skill involved with playing online slots, there are potentially some things you can do to enhance your knowledge of a particular slot game. It could help to determine which type of slot may be the best fit for you.
Something that you could do to potentially increase your chances is looking for slots that have fixed paylines rather than adjustable. The difference between fixed and adjustable paylines is that some online slots allow you to choose how many paylines you want to bet on (adjustable) while others don’t. It means that if a slot game had 20 adjustable paylines, you could choose to bet on anything from 1-20 paylines. The more active paylines, the more chances you have to land a potentially winning combination.
You could also choose online slots with a lower house edge. The easiest way to find a slot with a lower house edge is to pick a slot with a high return to player (RTP) percentage. You can find this information in the slot’s paytable. The higher the RTP, the more a slot could potentially pay back over time, and the lower house edge it has. However, it’s important to remember that this is a theoretical value.
At the end of the day, playing slots is always about having fun. It’s a form of entertainment, and there is nothing you can really do to increase your chances of potentially winning or better your odds.
Slots are not a game of skill, they are a game of chance and require no strategy. That makes them the perfect casino game for all types of players. To potentially increase your odds, it is essential to understand the basics of how slot machines work.
Every slot machine is different, so make sure to check the slot’s paytable before you play. Take a look at the wild symbols, scatter symbols, the RTP, how the bonus features are activated and how winning combinations can be formed. All of these will give you better insight into how that slot works.
Most importantly, always gamble responsibly. Create a budget and stick to it and never chase losses. When you have hit your budget, stop playing. Remember playing is supposed to be fun, so have fun and gamble responsibly!
