Crapping out at the slot machine

If you have ever played slot machines you know they seemingly tantalize you into playing more and more. You know, you get two cherries and the third one, the one that would break the bank, stops one notch short of the score. It’s just one way that computerized slot machines are not always what they seem says an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer. “For years, the colorful devices have been computerized, with a dizzying array of outcomes to entice the gambler. Often, the odds of hitting a particular symbol vary from one reel to the next, allowing game designers to give users the impression they are close to a winning combination when they are not. States require that machines pay back a certain amount over the long term – at least 85% of what’s wagered in Pennsylvania’s case, 83% in New Jersey’s. But if you want to know the exact chance of getting three cherries or some other jackpot, you’re out of luck,” the story says. If you’re interested, here’s how a slot machine works.