Is the random number generator the same for all machines and foolproof?

What can you share about the Random Number Generator? Is it the same for all machines and is it truly foolproof? I expect the entire industry is dependent on players believing it cannot be manipulated.

The answer to this question is technical, involving step motors, digital pulses, seed values, numerical remainders, and virtual reels. We ran the full answer about RNGs in February 2011, in case you're interested. This answer responds to your particular questions.

The random number generator is a piece of software operated by a microprocessor in a slot or video poker machine that cycles endlessly and speedily through billions of numbers.

Now, these numbers aren’t truly random. They’re more accurately known as "pseudo-random" numbers, because they’re generated by an algorithm (a mathematical formula) that follows a specific pattern. The pattern produces numbers that appear to be random, since they have to pass several built-in tests for randomness.

For example, a good algorithm might generate numbers that don’t repeat, have an adequate numeric distribution, and can’t be predicted, unless you know both the formula and the initial, or seed, value.

But for all practical purposes, the RNGs in gambling machines approximate randomness closely enough to fulfill their intended purpose. Note that random-number generators have improved since our original answers; the seed numbers themselves are now often generated randomly.

The random-number-generator principle is the same for all gambling devices. There might be some variation between programs, as there are with all programs, but the randomization process is, for all intents and purposes, the same.

As for whether or not the RNG can be manipulated, of course it can. It has to be programmed, after all. Nothing is fool proof, especially when it comes to the digital world. We don't agree that the entire industry is based on players believing that can't be manipulated. Instead, we'd say that the vast majority of slot players know nothing about random number generators and wouldn't care if they did. Why would they? They're gambling, pure and simple. They know the odds are stacked against them and they're hoping to beat the odds.

Many video poker players, on the other hand, do know and care about the RNG. So they're aware that the games are programmed to return a certain percentage of coin-in and that the RNG makes sure that the randomization process ensures the return percentage is true to form over time.

VP pros like Jean Scott and Bob Dancer have empirical proof that this is true, given their results over the long-term.

Is the random number generator the same for all machines and foolproof?

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Comments

Kevin Lewis Sep-30-2019

In the long run, we're all under-royaled

I disagree with the premise in the final sentence of the answer. Even Jean and BD haven't played enough hands to "PROVE" the RNG is truly random. Their results are just one data point on a curve (I think the technical term is Poisson distribution), and still could have been at any point other than where they were "supposed" to be. Those points could have been reached even with a biased/non-random RNG.

The probability of the RNG being non-random decreases as the sample size increases and the results approach expectation, but even at, say, ten million hands lifetime, there is still a LOT of room in the center of the curve, between -1 and +1 standard deviations. My point is that even if you play 10,000,000 hands of FPDW perfectly (for example), and you wind up EXACTLY 0.76% ahead, that IN AND OF ITSELF does not "validate" the RNG. It could still have been biased.

gaattc2001 Sep-30-2019

Back when I was a math major

(in a previous incarnation), it was said that randomness could not be proven--that is, a particular sequence of numbers could not be proved to be random. The best you could do was a variety of statistical tests--distribution, extreme values, runs tests, etc. I also remember you could get "certified" random number sequences for scientific research purposes, based on radioactive decay, cosmic rays, and like that. Interesting, but peripheral to our subject here.

OTOH, there have definitely been cases where video poker RNGs have been "fixed." An 1999 episode of "City Confidential" titled "Deadly Jackpots" describes how in 1989 the machines on a Las Vegas VP route had the chips changed to reduce or eliminate jackpot payouts; and  when it was discovered, at least one murder resulted. 
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172736/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl

All this becomes more and more irrelevant as the pay schedules and players' club rewards policies continue to decline.

Dave in Seattle. Sep-30-2019

Random?

The chip in a video poker machine CAN be manipulated to bias the lower card values.You are dealt 5 card values.There are 47 values left to be dealt,disregarding suits within the values. The RNG may be biased towards clubs,for instance.Of the 47 cards left in the deck and assuming that you did not draw any clubs,47 cards are left in the deck to be dealt.How many are club suits?47 divided by 4?   11.75 clubs left?  The chip may be biased towards clubs or any chosen suit. If so,that is not a RNG anymore.Can a programmer change the values of a chosen suit or number card?
  How does Bob Dancer's programmers change the difficulty of the VP game?There are FOUR levels of play and the difficulty levels are real.Tricky card combinations can be dealt to test your skill!How is that manipulated?

Michael Sep-30-2019

Hey Dave

Programming a machine in a casino and programming a game for tour computer are two vastly different things.  The Gaming Control Board has no jurisdiction or control over home computer software.

Question of the Day - 30 September 2019

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