Is the outcome of a spin determined before the player starts the spin?

I'm a beginner at understanding slot machines.

Is it true that the outcome of a slot bet is already determined before the player activates the machine?

Or is each outcome randomly determined after the bet is placed and the player activates the machine?

Tom

Dear Tom,

Your second statement is the more correct one. Slot machines determine the outcome of a spin after the players starts the spin by pulling the handle or pressing the Spin button.

Many years ago, machines operated the way you described in your first statement. But these machines were vulnerable to being cheated, so manufacturers switched to determining the outcome after the player started the spin.

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 reply to every question.