We’ve all heard the saying, “The house always wins,” implying that the casinos come out on top no matter what. This guarantee is purely mathematical —  each casino game is designed so that the players lose more than they win in the long run.

But how is this fair? Well, even though the house wins on the cumulative plays of all participants, the lucky few can still benefit. It is the RNG, a random number generator, which determines who’ll win or lose.

What Is a Random Number Generator?

A random number generator is an algorithm that ensures the randomness and unpredictability of a given operation.

For instance, when you’re playing a video slot that features several symbols across multiple reels and rows, there are millions of ways in which those symbols can show up on the grid. Spin after spin, the RNG picks a random sequence of symbols without any detectable pattern.

As a player, you won’t be able to predict the alignment of symbols on the next play,  which makes video slots a pure game of chance. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced slot player or if this is your first time spinning the reels — your winning chances are always the same.

It’s important to note that the RNG works in conjunction with RTP (return to player), causing the players to lose slightly more than they win over time. As a result, despite the randomness of each play, you can always expect the house to come out on top.

For example, if the RTP is 96%, you will win 0.96 on average per unit you put into the game in the long run. But since everything is random, you can also get incredibly lucky and score the jackpot.

How Do I Know That the RNG Is Fair?

Now you know what RNG is and how it works, but how can you be sure that an online casino uses one properly?

To prove their fairness, casinos often display seals of approval from various third-party auditors that have tested their games and verified their randomness.

Another way to ensure the games are fair is by looking at their creators. Software studios like Pragmatic, NetEnt, and Play’n GO won’t jeopardize their hard-earned reputation, and they’ll do their best to remain fair.

The casinos themselves want to preserve their image as well. Platforms like https://www.zulacasino.com/promotions have a loyal player base and would not want to lose their trust by fixing games.

User feedback is not always a great indicator of a given casino’s fairness and reputation. Some players will say that they can’t seem to win at a given casino, but this may only mean they’ve had bad luck and are sore losers.

Do All Casino Games Utilize the RNG?

A random number generator is a piece of software, meaning it’s only applied in digital games like video slots, video poker, and electronic table games. In land-based table and live dealer games, randomness is ensured in a different way.

Let’s take roulette as an example. The dealer spins the wheel and shoots the ball in the opposite direction. Instead of an algorithm software, laws of physics determine the winning number. The principle governing the outcome is different, but both methods are equally unpredictable. The same goes with dice in the game of craps.

With card games, it’s deck shuffling that makes it impossible to predict what the next card will be. In certain instances, you can apply chance and probability when playing games like blackjack and poker to create an advantage.

Published by HOLR Magazine.