Can input lag affect my chances of winning at slot machines?
Does the input delay hinder my ability to score a jackpot on a slot machine? Some gamblers claim that there is a significant delay between hitting a button and the machine reacting, while others say there isn’t. How does the system handle timing and randomization?
2 Answers
Best AnswerThere’s nothing “timed” about a slot machine. The RNG doesn’t stop spinning and wait for you to get ready. When you hit the button (or pull the lever), the machine grabs whatever random number is in the queue and gives you your result. Think about it: when you push the button, whatever the machine was doing, it won’t take more than a millisecond or two to come back and process your request. No matter how fast you are, no matter how much you practice, you will never influence when you win or lose a slot machine.
This also explains why today’s machines react so quickly. When you push these buttons, it tells the machine to halt the spinning reels, but the RNG has already generated the result in advance. The only reason for the delay that you perceive is to give you feedback that the machine heard you. Your button press doesn’t change anything, and the RNG guarantees randomness. So relax and spin!