Slot machine odds used to be easy to calculate. When you’re dealing with three reels, ten symbols on each reel, and a limited pay table, then it’s just a simple math problem. But the rise of electromechanical slot machines and (later) video slots added some complexity to the situation. How Probability Works. Probability has two meanings. Understanding slot machine math can be daunt ing for even the most seasoned individual. You do not hav e to be an accountant, analyst, or even a statistician to understand the fundamentals of slot math. The take-away is to know why this math is so important. As an example, if you play a slot machine that has a 10% theo, then the casino would expect to keep about 10% of all the money you play through that machine. So, if you played $1,000 through that slot machine, the casino would calculate its theoretical win as $100 because 10% of $1,000 is $100.

Slot machines have fascinated casino players since they were first invented. Often players will wonder what are the odds of winning on a slot machine? Depending on the slot machines, the odds can look promising. There are also various information being advertised as a way to win on every slot game you play. Novice players should know this is not possible. Unlike other games such as Blackjack or Baccarat, there is a greater house edge for slot machines. There are various things to consider when looking at the odds of winning. Keep in mind that slot machines are controlled by random number generators, and this is technology that will ensure that the outcome of the previous spin is independent of the outcome of the current and subsequent spins. The RNGs make sure the games remain random.

Slot Payouts

However, it is possible for casino players to consider the odds when it comes to payouts for slot games. Each game will have a payout percentage that might be published by a casino or software provider. You can see odds of the payouts from the slot games range from 75 percent to 99 percent. It is not possible for them to be 100%. The reason the RNGs were mentioned is because even with a high payout percentage, it is still be a game of chance if you win. In the past, casino players would be able to calculate their odds of winning when there were just classic slot games with only up to 10 symbols. Now slot games are more complicated with 3D effects, bonus features, and special symbols. It is even possible to now play a 15 reel slot game.

Number of Hits

One of the most popular ways to determine the odds of a slots game is to consider the hit frequency. This is what many casino players will look at. The hit frequency or the number of hits a game gives out is how often a win is recorded. Slot players will avoid a game that has a hit frequency of only 15 percent and lower. However, with the randomness of gameplay, it is possible to have a good day and then play again the next day and have everything change. Many slot games will have published hit frequency stats that you can analyze.

Coin Wins

Some slot players like to think of odds in terms of how much they have to wager on the lines. For example, many of the progressive jackpots will give you better odds of winning if you wager higher amounts, and the jackpot will not be won unless you have wagered the max bet. In non-progressive games, a larger wager will lead to a larger coin payout. However, for those games which pay more frequently but at smaller amounts, you can distribute your coins over more spins to improve your odds of winning on the slot machines.

My problem is that the script gives me 1015 ways to get 4 'A' and the math gives me 1013 ways to get 4 'A'.
The math I use to get to 4 'A' is as follow.
32 positions per reels.
reel 1: 1 A and 1 wild
reel 2: 2 A and 1 wild
reel 3: 1 A and 1 wild
reel 4: 2 A and 1 wild
reel 5: 2 A and 1 wild
The symbols have to line up from left to right.
So, the math should be (1 + 1) * (2+1)*(1+1)*(2+1)*(32-2-1) = 1044
and I should take out the times when I get 4 'W' right, 1*1*1*1*3129 = 29
you cant use 31 for the 5th reel because you didn't use 31 for the 5th reel in the initial counting of 4 Aces
So 1044 - 29 = 1015.
Is that correct? now it is
Once I confirm the odds of each result, I'll be able to calculate the payout %.
Thanks

Fixed your post.

Is there a separate pay for 4 Wild, if not, is the pay for 4A greater than the pay for anything else except 5A? If so, then 4 Wild is effectively the same thing as 4A, if A is the highest paying symbol w/ no separate pay for 4 wild.

After more work on my problem, I realize that what you said here is pertinent for one of the problems I am now facing. (wich I can't crack, ... yet).
For us to have a common ground, I'll comment on the Atkins Diet slot by the Wizard.
Based on the number of symbols on the reels, the number of times I can get 4 Bacon is
[ ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 5 + 1 ) - ( 1 * 1 * 1 * 1)]*(32-3-1) = 20,972.
But the Wizard reports, as per his enumeration script, 20,832.
After looking at the payouts, I realized that in some cases, 3 Atkins pays more than 4 of a Kind (for example 4 Bacon).
Hence, I have to calculate the number of times it is possible to get AtkinsAtkinsAtkinsBacon where the fifth reel is not Atkins and not Bacon and remove that from 20,972.
So, I figured this would be 1*1*1*4(number of bacon on 5th reel)*(32-3-1) = 140
Now it works, 20,972 - 140 = 20,832.
So, all proud that I had figure this part out ... I went and did the same things for all the 4 of a kinds and can match all of the number from the wizard.
A few minuters later, moving to the 5 of kind, crash and burn. I can figure out the correct number all the way down to cheese, using this method, but not Bacon and Mayonaise.
Since 4 Atkins pays more than 5 Bacon, I need to do ( 5 Bacon ) - (5 bacon where the first 4 are Atkins)
( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 5 + 1 ) *(3+1) - ( 1 * 1 * 1 * 1*1) = 2999 ways to get 5 Bacons.
Now remove the number of time it's actually 4 of a kind (so remove AtkinsAtkinsAtkinsAtkinsBacon) is 1*1*1*1*3 = 3
Hence, I should have 2,999 - 3 = 2,996 BUT the wizard is getting 2,976.
What am I doing wrong?

English is not my best language, so please excuse the grammar and syntax of what is to follow.
I need to calculate the payout % of a slolt. Actually, any slot, if I can do it for one, I'll be fine for the others.
I decided to start with simulating a 5 x 3 slot machine, with reels of 32 positions. At the end, I'll need to calculate the payout of a slot with reels of 127 positions.
I'm not sure of the match invovled, so to validate the math, I decided to use a perl script (with 5 nested loops) to validate that the calculations are correct (hence the 32 positions, with 127, I pretty sure the script would time out).
My problem is that the script gives me 1015 ways to get 4 'A' and the math gives me 1013 ways to get 4 'A'.
The math I use to get to 4 'A' is as follow.
32 positions per reels.
reel 1: 1 A and 1 wild
reel 2: 2 A and 1 wild
reel 3: 1 A and 1 wild
reel 4: 2 A and 1 wild
reel 5: 2 A and 1 wild
The symbols have to line up from left to right.
So, the math should be (1 + 1) * (2+1)*(1+1)*(2+1)*(32-2-1) = 1044
and I should take out the times when I get 4 'W' right, 1*1*1*1*31 = 31
So 1044 - 31 = 1013.
Is that correct?
Once I confirm the odds of each result, I'll be able to calculate the payout %.
Thanks

Hello slotcalculator, Sorry to bust your bubble but slots are different from back in the day. But to answer your question on your own, simply walk behind a slot tech when he is working on a machine and you will see the percentage labeled there.
Here in Canada the OLG (Ontario Lotto & Gaming Commission) has them all set to 85% Payout in most Canadian Casino's
and every machine nowadays reset RNG after every pull.
Back in the day, we were able to sit at a slot machine and crouch down just a little bit and look inside the machine showing at the top right side (Total In) (Total Out) counters and on many Blazing 7 Machines, standing in front of the machine approx eye level you notice a small 1/4' x 4' clear glass window which displayed the counters.
This allowed anyone to record the amount going in and out of the machine, seeing if paid out or ready to payout utilizing the 85% law.
They are now removed. I don't want to get into detail but something in todays machines called Co-Processors or eprom chip or something like that I don't want to mention were placed in around 1998-2000 resetting machines after every pull.

A few minuters later, moving to the 5 of kind, crash and burn. I can figure out the correct number all the way down to cheese, using this method, but not Bacon and Mayonaise.
Since 4 Atkins pays more than 5 Bacon, I need to do ( 5 Bacon ) - (5 bacon where the first 43 are Atkins because 3 Atkins are also worth 50 as well as subtracting out 4 Atkins because they are worth 500)
What am I doing wrong?

How To Calculate The Odds Of Slot Machines

( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 5 + 1 ) *(3+1) - ( 1 * 1 * 1 * 1*1) = 2999 ways to get 5 Bacons.
Now remove the number of times four Atkins Appear with 5th reel bacon:
1*1*1*1*3 = 3
Now remove the number of times three Atkins Appear with 4th reel bacon and 5th reel either bacon or Atkins:
1*1*1*5*(3+1) = 20
So now we have:
( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 5 + 1 ) *(3+1) - 1 - 3 - 20 = 2,976

( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 5 + 1 ) *(3+1) - ( 1 * 1 * 1 * 1*1) = 2999 ways to get 5 Bacons.
Now remove the number of times four Atkins Appear with 5th reel bacon:
1*1*1*1*3 = 3
Now remove the number of times three Atkins Appear with 4th reel bacon and 5th reel either bacon or Atkins:
1*1*1*5*(3+1) = 20
So now we have:
( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 4 + 1 ) * ( 5 + 1 ) *(3+1) - 1 - 3 - 20 = 2,976

How To Calculate Slot Machine Odds

Damn, if I had another eye, I'd be a cyclop.
Thanks

Slot Machines Odds Of Winning

Damn, if I had another eye, I'd be a cyclop.
Thanks

Wizard Of Odds Slot Machines

When I was first learning to do this, I made many similar mistakes. Definitely can be frustrating. It's generally why it's recommended doing 5 nested loops and evaluating each combination via computer program.