1. GamblingGambling What are the odds? Jessica Judd

2. Slot machines Slot machines are designed with three or more reels decorated with a specific number of symbols, and the object of the game is to get matching symbols after all reels have spun. If the arrangement is 3 reels with 10 symbols on each… What are the odds?

3. ODDS According to the Theoretical Method of Probability: The odds of any particular symbol hitting on a single reel would be 1 out of 10, or 1/10. The odds of 2 of the same symbol hitting on a spin would be 1/10 × 1/10, or 1/100. The odds of 3 of the same symbol hitting on a spin would be 1/10 × 1/10 × 1/10, or 1/1000. making the odds 999 to 1

4. However, The modern slot machine no longer runs on physical reels, but rather mechanical reels have been replaced with video screens. The odds of video slot machines are no longer based on a certain number hitting but are rather run by random number generators and the modernized machines have drastically changed how the odds work.

5. odds While a physical reel can only hold about 20 symbols before becoming too big to be practical, a video slot machine could, theoretically, have 100 symbols per reel, and although a physical machine can't really accommodate more than 3 reels comfortably, a video slot machine has no such limitations, and could have 5 reels or more. Assuming that the theoretical method could still apply to the new machines, having 100 symbols per 5 reels takes the odds from 999 to 1 to 999999999 to 1 (1/100 × 1/100 × 1/100 × 1/100 × 1/100 = 1/10000000000.)

6. Random Number Generators To make things even more interesting, the random number generator (RNG) can be, and is, programmed to give certain symbols a different chance of coming up that is totally unrelated to the number of symbols, Meaning the theoretical method that was used before is completely inaccurate. The slot machine might have one cherry out of ten symbols, but the generator might be programmed to only have that cherry land once out of every twenty random spins, potentially making the odds EVEN SMALLER than 999999999 to 1.

7. In conclusion The result of the RNG is that combinations can be programmed to be less likely, and the less likely it is to hit those combinations, the more the casino can afford to pay out for them on the slight chance that they occur. Progressive jackpots of six and seven figures would have been impossible on any mechanical slot machine, but they're quite easy to program into a video slot machine's random number generator. The change in how the winners are determined makes these machines nearly impossible to win, but incredibly profitable (for the casino) in spite of the new, bigger jackpots.

8. CrapsCraps The game is played by the rolling of two dice, and is entirely dependent on the sum of the two dice after they are rolled. If a player rolls a total of 7 or 11 on the first roll, they win. If a player rolls a total of 2, 3 or 12 on the first roll, they lose. If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is reached on the first roll, that number becomes the “point” and the player must strive to reach that point a second time BEFORE rolling a 7 to win.

9. chances of winning As you can see, there are 36 possible outcomes of rolling two dice. Going back to the theoretical method of probability, the odds of rolling a 7 are the most likely of all at 6/36 (1/6) The odds of rolling an 11 are 2/36 (1/18.) So the odds of rolling EITHER a 7 or an 11 are 8/36 (2/9) which also equates to 22%. So there is a 22% chance of winning on the first roll. 123456 1234567 2345678 3456789 456789 1010 56789 10101 6789 10101 1212 each possible outcome of rolling two dice

10. chances of losing what are the chances of losing on the first roll by rolling a 2,3 or 12? 2 and 12 both occur once on the chart and 3 occurs twice making 4 opportunities to lose out of 36 (1/9) resulting in an 11% likelihood of losing on the first roll. 123456 1234567 2345678 3456789 456789 1010 56789 10101 6789 10101 1212 each possible outcome of rolling two dice

11. Other possibilities Between the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 there is a 24/36 (2/3, 67%) chance of rolling a neutral number and gaining a point, but the probability of reaching that number again before reaching a 7 would depend on what number you rolled. Both 4 and 10 have a 1/12 (3/36, 8.3%) chance of being rolled in comparison the 1/6 of a 7, 5 and 9 share the likelihood of 1/9 (4/36, 11%), and 6 and 8 are the most likely to achieve for a second time with 5/36 (13.8%.) 123456 1234567 2345678 3456789 456789 1010 56789 10101 6789 10101 1212 each possible outcome of rolling two dice

12. In conclusion Overall, 7 is obviously the most likely number to roll, which plays to the shooter’s advantage on the first roll, but could be his demise any time after that, making the game of craps as close to a 50/50 shot of winning or losing as you can get at a casino.

13. Black Jack (21) Blackjack is the most widely played casino banking game in the world, as well as the most studied. It is believed to be the one game with TRUE probability, therefore it is more a game of strategy and math than a game of chance, unlike most gambling games.

14. play The game is played by dealing cards to both the player(s) and the dealer. Play starts with a card dealt to the player, and then to the dealer, and then repeating; resulting in both sides possessing a two card hand. The cards numbered 2-10 are valued at their written number, and all face cards are worth 10 (excluding the ace which has the value of either 1 or 11 according to the players best interest,) The object of the game is to get as close to a total of 21 as possible without going over (busting) as well as scoring higher than the dealer. Each turn consists of the option to be dealt another card (hit) in order to get closer to the goal of 21.

15. House advantage In this game, the house (casino) has the advantage purely just by being the last player to act on every turn. By acting last, this means that every other player has already made their decision and could potentially bust before the house has even played.

16. Odds of winning To start, what is the likelihood of actually being dealt a blackjack hand, or an exact sum of 21 consisting of one ace and one card with the value of 10? Using the combinations formula, we know that there are 1326 different two-card hands in one deck of cards. In addition to that, we also know that there are 4 possible aces and 16 possible face cards in that deck, so there are (4 × 16) 64 ways to be dealt a blackjack hand, out of 1326 64/1326 or a 4.8% chance of winning straight off of the hand you’re dealt.

17. odds Using this same principle we are able to determine the odds of any particular hand being dealt by calculating all the possible ways to achieve each total. Following this chart you will see that the most common two card hand, at 38.7%, is a hand totaling 1-16, which is considered a decision hand. Two Card Count% Frequency Natural 214.8% Hard Standing (17-20)30.0% Decision Hands (1-16)38.7%

18. odds In knowing these odds, and using the same method of calculating what cards are left in the deck, we can also establish the odds of busting with each possible hand. Hand Value% Bust if you hit 21100% 2092% 1985% 1877% 1769% 1662% 1558% 1456% 1339% 1241% 11 and under0%

19. The rest of the game depends entirely on the “luck of the draw”, but regardless of the outcome, you can use probability to figure out what your next move should be.

20. An example: Suppose you are dealt a 4 and a 9, resulting in a total sum of 13. We know there are 50 cards left in the deck: 52 - the 2 in your hand = 50

21. An example: 16 of those 50 cards have a value of ten (all face cards and tens) -which would result in a bust. 13 + 10 = 23 as would all values greater than 8 13 + 8 = 21 which accounts for 19 out of the 50 cards 16 face cards/tens + 3 nines = 19 leaving you with a 38% (19/50) chance for a bust.

22. An example: On the other hand, all values less than or equal to 8(including Aces, which would count as 1 during this hand) account for 31 of the 50 cards, 4 eights + 4 sevens + 4 sixes + 4 fives + 3 fours + 4 threes + 4 twos + 4 aces = 31 resulting in a 62% (31/50)chance of being able to continue. In this case, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to draw another card.

23. Counting Cards This is also the idea behind counting cards; to be able to track what cards are left in the deck to determine what is most likely going to be the next card dealt, but it gets complicated as it is hard to keep track of all cards dealt to other players as well.

24. In Conclusion Contrary to the popular belief that if you’ve been losing all day you’re “due” for a win, the reality is that all plays are independent, and have nothing to do with each other. The calculated statistics are pretty accurate in the long run, but only the guy that’s been winning all day is the one accounting for the win you’re “due” for So, despite the casino’s way of luring you in, it is possible to win, and some games are more fair than others, but having the knowledge of the math behind it all could save everyone at the tables and machines a lot of money.