In many of the strategy articles about gaming machines–video poker, video keno, slot machines, etc.–we emphasize the role of the random number generator (RNG) and with good reason. The RNG is the ‘brains‘ of these machines and understanding how it works is essential. It’s essential not only in terms of developing a proper strategy and selecting the right machines but it’s also important to dispel many of the incorrect and potentially costly player myths. Once the player understands that the concept of randomness on these games is legit he no longer holds on to long-running superstitions and conspiracy theories.
There is one major exception to the ‘RNG based‘ gaming machine and that is a Class II slot machine. These machines (which can also include video poker and keno-style games) operate differently from the slot machines that we’ve been discussing. You won’t find many of them online but they’re fairly common in US land-based casinos due to the downright silly gambling laws in some jurisdictions. Throw in the always absurd involvement of the Federal Government and you’ve got the ‘Class‘ system for casino games. For this reason alone, it’s a good idea to understand the definition of and differences between Class III and Class II slot machines.
CLASS III SLOT MACHINES
We’ll talk about the Class III slot machine first since it’s the easiest to explain. It’s easy because it simply refers to the type of slot machine that we’ve been discussing extensively in the strategy articles on this website. You won’t hear the ‘Class’ system discussed in casinos in Las Vegas since it is derived from and refers to properties and jurisdictions under the auspices of The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This act establishes three classes of games. Class I gaming is defined as “traditional Indian gaming, which may be part of tribal ceremonies and celebrations” and social gaming for minimal prizes. This class falls under the jurisdiction of individual tribal councils and doesn’t concern us.
We’ll skip Class II for the moment–Class III gaming is anything that doesn’t fall under Class I or Class II. Simply put, Class III is traditional ‘Las Vegas’ or ‘casino-style’ gambling. The table games like roulette, blackjack and craps would all fall under Class III as would the slot machines and video poker games you’d find in any Las Vegas casino. As far as it concerns slot machines, these are the RNG based games that we’ve described in the previous content in this section. While each individual machine is programmed to pay back a certain percentage of what it takes in it is otherwise completely random. You have the possibility of winning a jackpot on any spin of the wheel if the random numbers generated by the machine fall in your favor.