Downloading Online Slots

How can I download a specific slot machine from an online casino so that I can play it whenever I want?

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Pamela

Dear Pamela,

I admit that I have almost no experience with online casinos, but the ones that I have visited are not in the business of providing slot games that you can play without being connected to their sites. They're in the business of providing online casino games. They may let you play for free, but that's just to let you try out the site and entice you to bet some real money.

Technically speaking, I'm sure that the only thing downloaded to your PC from the site is the user interface part of the game. The code that determines the results is on their server. When you click on the Spin button, you send a request to their server to send back the results of this spin and the program downloaded to your PC just displays the results.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

On a typical 3-reel machine, does each reel have to have the top icon on it? Does the RNG choose the final outcome all at once or does it choose each reel separately? Does each machine have to be capable of a jackpot (the top payoff possible)?

Sincerely,
John

Dear John,

The rule is that if a combination is listed on the paytable, it must be possible to hit it on the machine. So, each machine must be capable of hitting every combination shown in its paytable, including the jackpot. If the paytable shows the top symbol on a particular reel in a combination, then that symbol must appear on the reel.

The machine can either use one poll of the RNG to decide the symbols on all three reels or it can poll the RNG separately for each reel. My understanding is that most machines today use separate polls of the RNG for each reel.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@comcast.net. Because of the volume of mail I receive, I regret that I can't send a reply to every question. Also be advised that it may take several months for your question to appear in my column.