Do All Video Poker Machines Use the Same Random Number Generator?

Do all video poker machines in Las Vegas use the same random number generator? Therefore is it true that the only difference between one machine and another is the payout table?

The answers, in broad terms, are yes and yes.

Wikipedia lists 18 companies that produce random number generators for hardware, such as video poker machines. RNGs date back to the 1940s and a number of different types inclue cryptographic and non-cryptographic, whether they use block or stream ciphers or external sources of randomness, whether they're true or pseudo RNGS, etc.

But for simplicity's sake, we can assume that whatever the RNG, it randomizes the cards that appear on the video poker screen when you hit the Deal/Draw button. So yes, the difference is entirely in the type of game and the pay schedule of the game.

Do all video poker machines in Las Vegas use the same random number generator?

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Comments

Stewart Ethier Oct-22-2019

Weak answer

The answer is not up to your usual standard, and is likely wrong.  The questioner wants to know, foe example, if all VP RNGs are linear congruential generators [of the form X_{n+1} = (a X_n + c) mod m], and if so do they use the same modulus m.  If you don't know the answer, it's OK to say so.

Stewart Ethier Oct-22-2019

Better answer

A better answer is provided at https://www.cdcgamingreports.com/rngs-what-are-they-and-are-they-random/

Brent Peterson Oct-22-2019

Good Answer

As stated in the answer, "in broad terms" the answer answers the question that was asked. The question wasn't "What is an RNG?" 

By the way, that was answered on February 16, 2011.

Ray Oct-22-2019

Why the complaint?

Seems to me Stewart is a little too picky. The answer was that there are many types of RNG's but they all give you virtually the same chance to get any particular hand as you would if you held a deck of cards in your hand.

Kevin Lewis Oct-22-2019

AKQJ3

I'm certain that all the machines use the same RNG, or at least the same type, because wherever I'm playing, whatever game, when I hold the AKQJ of hearts and hit the DRAW button, I get the 3 of clubs. It's nice to have consistency.

Stewart Ethier Oct-22-2019

Brent, no

The question was, are the RNGs all the same, not do they have the same effect.  Of course they have the same effect (they randomize cards), but that does not make them the same.  If you read the article I cited (not just its headline), you will find some information on state-of-the-art RNGs.

Dave Oct-22-2019

Centralized RNG?

I read it differently. 

Not a question if the machines use the same TYPE or model of RNG, but if they use a centralized RNG server to get their numbers. 

I’m fairly sure in most states, each machine has its own RNG. Only states with Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) use centralized RNG - and I’m not 100% sure about that either.

O2bnVegas Oct-22-2019

Like in the Apollo 13 movie

Amid all the other problems, a developing hurricane (or some such oceanic cluster) is detected in the area of splashdown.  The flight control guy asked Gene Kranz (Ed Harris) if the astronauts would be told about it.  Gene asked "Anything we can do about it?"  The guy said "No, not now."  Kranz says "Then they don't need to know, do they."

My point...RNG or RNG or RNG, what can a player do about it?

Anthony Curtis Oct-22-2019

Another QoD shitstorm?

First, for those that don't know, Stewart Ethier is one of the most respected gambling mathematicians on the planet. I had the pleasure/honor of rooming with him, along with the late great Peter Griffin, at one of the International Conferences on Gambling and Risk Taking in Atlantic City, I think in the early '90s. Stew has been an ardent supporter of LVA for years and has many times assisted me behind the scenes with tough mathematical questions. Hence, I can say without hesitation that what Stewart says on this subject is almost certainly correct and I'm grateful that he's here to watch our backs and ensure that what you read here is as accurate as is possible. That said, I also believe that the spirit of the question was this: Do players have to worry about differences in the RNGs or are differences in the paytables paramount? The answer to that is, it's all about the paytables, man. Hence, at the risk of being accused of not taking a position, I'm declaring everyone who's commented here to be correct and the QoD to also have answered the question in a way that gives 99% of readers the information they were looking for.

Question of the Day - 22 October 2019

Comments