Myths and Misconceptions about Online Slots

Online slots are not just one of the most popular forms of gambling but also one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world. Despite their enormous popularity, online slot games are still, to this day, shrouded in myths and misconceptions, which can often turn newcomers away from these engaging forms of entertainment. 

In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the most common myths and misconceptions and see if they are true or not. We will debunk the bulk of the misconceptions which surround online casino slot games.

”Online Slots Are Rigged” 

One common misconception people have about online slot games is that they are rigged. Before a developer can even release a slot game, they must test their games and get them certified to ensure that the outcome is random and fair. Furthermore, online slot games are heavily regulated to prevent casinos from rigging machines and from players being able to cheat. Various systems are put in place to prevent online casino slots from being rigged. In addition, UK online slots are regulated by a third-party company to ensure fair play is involved for all. 

However, with all this being said, although online slot games are not rigged, there is still a house edge, which will naturally give you a disadvantage when playing. An RTP of a slot is a theoretical, mathematical percentage which indicates how much you can expect to earn back over a long period of time. So, although slot games are not rigged, there is still a house edge in favour of the online casino. 

”Online Slots Aren’t Random” 

This myth is very similar to the last, but many players think that slot machines are not random. Today’s modern slot games, however, very much are. They use a computer-operated random number generator, otherwise known as RNG, to decide the outcome of each spin. The RNG uses a complex computer algorithm to ensure every spin is random. 

Hot and Cold Slots 

A very popular myth, even believed by many long-term online slot players, is that a slot can be hot or cold. Many bettors believe that if a slot is paying out often, then that means it is a good time to play because the slot is ‘hot’. Alternatively, if a slot hasn’t paid out in a long time, it is considered ‘cold’ and should be avoided. 

Some other bettors believe that if a slot has paid out some high rewards, then you should avoid it because it is less likely to pay out another high reward again. Alternatively, if a slot hasn’t been paid out in a while or if the jackpot is particularly high, then people think you should play as the wins should be right around the corner. A prime example of this is players who refuse to play slot games where the jackpot has just been won because they think the slot has paid largely and, therefore, won’t pay out again. 

First of all, this is not true; as previously discussed, slot games are random, and the past performance of a slot has no bearing on the present or future performance of a slot. Secondly, as you can see from the examples, people’s beliefs contradict each other, showing that these myths are just that, myths. Finally, it’s important to recognise that this is a common psychological trick known as the gambler’s fallacy. Gambler’s fallacy is where bettors expect a reversal in luck after an extended run of one outcome. For example, the probability of landing six heads in a row when flipping a coin is 1.6%. If five coins have been flipped and they all land on heads, bettors who fall victim to this fallacy assume the next flip will have a 98% chance of being tails. This, however, is not true, and the probability of every flip is 50%.

”Autoplay Offers Less Pays Than Manuel Spins” 

This is honestly a baseless myth. The potential return of a spin is not influenced by how you let the reels roll. It may feel as though you lose more when auto-spinning due to the fact that the reels spin faster when playing with autoplay; however, as we have discussed, each spin is determined by an RTG. 

“Maximising Your Bet Increases Your Chances of Winning”

Maximising your bet does not increase your chances of winning on online slot games. The belief that maxing your stake increases your chances of winning traces back to players believing that you’re more likely to hit the jackpot if you bet the maximum amount per spin, especially in progressive jackpots. This, however, is not true; the RNG determines the outcomes of each spin in every slot session for every player. 

”You can Alter the Spin Outcome Using The Stop Button” 

This misconception is a lot more light-hearted than the prior myths; however, it is one that a surprising amount of people believe in. Almost every online slot game comes with a stop button, which allows you to stop spinning the reels before the animation is due to finish. This, however, does not change the outcome of the spin as the result of the spin is decided as soon as you press spin. 

Summary 

These have been some of the most common myths and misconceptions which surround online slot games. We hope to have dispelled some of the myths which may have been holding you back from trying these excellent forms of entertainment for yourself.