Today’s slot machines come in different sizes, shapes, sounds, lights, and denominations. You can pull a handle, push a button, or even touch a screen. But after all is said and done they basically breakdown to two machines; video and reel.

There are no more mechanical reel machines, so even the reel machines today are computer controlled. Which simply means that, like the video games, built into the program there is a “random number MEGAGAME generator” (RGN) which determines the spin of the wheel or the outcome of the video screen.

The (RNG) is generally set to payout 80% to 95%.

If a slot machine is set to payout 90%, that means over the course of hundreds of thousands of spins (and sometimes millions) it will pay back 90% of what was played into the machine.

If a slot machine is set at 80% payout, then it is considered a “tight” machine, because this gives the house a much higher advantage (20 cents out of every dollar).

If the slot machine is set at or closer to 95% payout then it is considered a “loose” machine, because it gives more back to the player, with the casino keeping only 5 cents out of every dollar.

However finding those loose machines can be a bit difficult.

It is up to the Casino Manager where they are placed, and this varies from casino to casino.