Common gaming myths busted

Gaming seems to attract more than its fair share of myths and urban legends. Here are some of the most prevalent myths around gaming, and the facts revealed.

A common belief is that if a slot machine hasn’t paid out in a while it’s due for a win. This is false. Slot machine pay-outs are completely random no matter how many wins or losses have occurred in its past, there is no way that anyone whether a gamer, anyone else from the casino even from the machine manufacturers can predict when a machine will pay out. That’s what makes it so much fun.

Another misconception is that after winning a big payout, a player should move onto another slot machine. This is not necessarily true. The odds of another big win on the next play are exactly the same as they were before; there is also no such thing as a ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ machine.

Disappointed gamers have been heard saying that a slot machine has been rigged not to pay out. Again, this is a misconception. All slot machines are subject to rigorous testing, approval and certification by the gaming labs, SABS and the provincial Gambling Board. After installation and final testing, in the presence of the Gambling Board, devices that have an influence on the game outcome are sealed in a ‘logic box’ inside the slot machine. This process is recorded, strictly controlled and audited.

Another amusing myth is that dealers are able to land the ball in certain areas of the wheel or hit empty numbers in American Roulette. This is false. It is virtually impossible to make the ball land in a specific area. The speed at which the wheel is spinning, the hazards (little bumps that force the ball to change direction) on the wheel, the slope of the hub (the middle of the wheel), the point of impact, the angle and speed at which the ball is spun all come into play in roulette all make it a real game of chance.

That the dealer can influence the hand in Blackjack is another myth. The dealers draw cards according to a standard set rules and the dealer cannot deviate from this. Continuous shuffling machines with seven decks of cards are used at all times on blackjack tables. Not only does this reduce the risk of marked cards making an appearance, it also means entertainment seekers have an uninterrupted gaming experience. In essence, the only factors that can affect the outcome of the game are the choices and betting decisions made by the players.

The belief that craps dice are loaded is another big misconception. Yes, dice were commonly loaded in old Hollywood movies, but the dice are manufactured using precise state-of-the-art equipment and are imported by suppliers approved by the Gambling Board. They are 100 percent balanced and made from a transparent material. New die are checked with a micrometre at the start of each day and then destroyed at the end of each gaming day.

Similarly, it is virtually impossible for the casino to use marked cards as cards are stored and issued under strict controls. Cards are opened and checked under camera coverage by the dealer, supervisor and pit manager at the beginning of each day. They are then placed in a ‘shoe’ with a lid and only the dealer is allowed to touch them.

There are many more superstitions, myths and misconceptions out there, but the simple fact is that casino games were invented for the pure entertainment value of playing.