It doesn’t matter if you have experienced problem gambling or not; anyone who has spent much time around slot machines understands what we mean by “cold” or “hot” machines. Simply put, hot machines have a higher chance of paying out, while cold machines do nothing but eat your money. But is there really any such thing as a hot or cold machine, or is it all just random chance?
Are Slot Machines Ever Really Hot or Cold?
The truth is that everyone comes to the slots for different reasons, though the one thing that keeps them there is the promise of winning big. Gamblers decide whether to stay at a machine by determining if their machine is on a hot streak.
However, in reality, each spin of the slots is a unique and totally random event. This means that any perception of hot or cold streaks is entirely in the gambler’s mind.
Why Do Random Slots Sometimes Feel Hot or Cold?
The reason why many gamblers believe in hot and cold streaks has everything to do with human psychology — specifically, the clustering illusion. The idea behind the clustering illusion is that human brains tend to see patterns where there are none. Even in a set of randomly generated numbers, we naturally tend to notice and remember repetitions.
For example, if you flip a coin 100 times, you can expect to occasionally find a streak of three, four, five, or more heads in a row. That doesn’t mean the sixth flip is any more or less likely to come up tails.
The Reality of Hot and Cold Slot Machines
It’s important to remember that every time you pull a slot machine lever, your odds of getting a jackpot will always be the same.
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Sources
http://www.slot-source.com/truth-slot-machine-hot-cold-cycles/
https://www.knowyourslots.com/do-slot-machines-get-hot-or-cold/
https://www.gamblingsites.com/slots/myths/