Posted on July 10, 2011

How to calculate Slot Odds?

How can you really calculate online slots odds if the game is based on a pure chance of luck? Since slot machines including online slots are computerized by random number generators the payback percentages are automatically set by the casino. The slot reel combinations really have no bearing or impact on the odds equation. The payback or pay out percentage is solely based on the average of how often the game is played over the course of a week, month and year. Due to this making the slot odds impossible to calculate, you must know the payback percentage as a guide to follow. You can pretty much estimate that the higher the player denomination the higher the payout will be.

First of all let’s get a few things straight, when playing slots, your payout is always going to be under 100%. So the best thing you can do is play the slots that offer the highest payouts. You can pretty much bet that the odds of hitting the major jackpot is about 500,000 to 1, the odds you see are pretty slim.

There is a small method that can help you calculate slot odds if you have some of the right information. Below I will show you a formula that you can use in the future to calculate slot odds.

The information you will need to know is as follows:

  • The number of reels
  • The number of symbols per reel

You take the number of reels and multiple the numbers of symbols per reel. This will give you a rough estimate of the slot odds for this specific slot machine. So for example, if you have a slot game that has 3 slot reels, and 20 symbols per slot reel, you multiple 20x20x20. Your answer would be 8000! This means the odds of you hitting the winning jackpot combination would be 1 in 8000!

Even though the odds of you winning a jackpot combination is slim, it does not mean you’re going to lose the other 7999 times that you spin the slot reel. Your chances of winning any other than the jackpot combination is a 50/50 chance, the good side to this is, even though you may not win the jackpot, you still could win some pretty decent money.

Calculating slot odds will vary from machine to machine simply because the theme of the game varies, and this means the amount of slot reels or symbols may vary as well.

Online slot pay back percentages are the return on the money wagered. Since you need to understand how the pay back return is, this is crucial to calculating slot odds.

The best way to determine how much you win or lose, instead of relying on slot odds is to use a few simple slot strategies:

  • Know your bankroll- this is the amount of money you can afford to lose over the slot session
  • Set your betting limits- this intertwines into your bankroll
  • Always use max bet option when playing progressive slots
  • Chose slot machines that offer bonus play or free spins
  • Play free slots to understand your casino
  • Make sure to check out the pay table before starting any game
  • Do not buy into slot myths, they are just random uneducated thoughts
  • If all else fails, ask for help from any casino attendant

Keep looking for loose machines; most casinos will inform you of what machines are paying out generously by posting the information on their site. If you find that whatever slot machine you are playing at seems to be “tight” or not paying out well, move on to another machine. Setting your spin limit will help you keep your odds in your favor.