Games of Chance? Games of Skill?

We have all heard casino games referred to as games of chance, thus the term gambling. You are gambling money on an outcome determined not by your skill as a player, but by random events beyond your control. Is this a true description of these games? Can a player alter or even determine the outcome with a knowledge or mastery of the game? In order to answer this, we must look at each game individually. The first game up is perhaps the most popular in the casino, the slot machine.

SLOT MACHINES - When playing a slot machine you have only two decisions to make. Which machine you play, and the size of your wager. True, on some machines you have the option of a secondary bet, but this is generally after you have already won the initial game. Slot machines are designed to payout a certain percentage of the total money input. This can range anywhere from 94% up to 99% depending on the casino, the machine, and its location within the casino. These slots are controlled by a RNG, a Random Number Generator. The RNG determines where the wheels will stop, and thus when and how much you will win. The level of your payout is determined by the type of machine and the size of your wager. Since your wager does not effect the RNG, the results generated are completely beyond your control. Slot machines are truly games of chance. The only knowledge beneficial to the player is to know which machines have the highest payout percentages. SLOTS : 100% Chance