If you’re an avid lover of online casino gaming, then you have probably heard of the obscure and technical term "RNG" before. Not many people can confidently say that they know exactly what it is and how it affects their gaming experience due to the complexity of the software, but we’re about to teach you the basics of RNG and how these little gizmos have perfectly integrated themselves into your favourite online casino game.
What is RNG?
The RNG abbreviation stands for Random Number Generator and after you learn what it is, you’ll understand why this is so ironic. RNG is simply a computer program or software that generates random results after a specific action. And based on this, it is used in online casino games to ensure that results are random and fair such as the titles featured on casinofy.com.
With RNG tech and casino games, there is no actual dealer or physical machine present to ensure that results are random. That's why you'll find it in virtually every casino game online such as online slots, online keno, video poker and virtual gaming variants of roulette and blackjack. The Random Number Generator is the perfect tool for games that are lacking the human element of chance and virtue of integrity.
To make things even more interesting, there are two kinds of RNGs. The popular choice for online casinos is called the pseudo-random number generator or PRNG and is the perfect fit for the industry because it doesn’t require external input to generate an output, all that is required is seed number and algorithm.
How RNG works
For this article, we will be using casino games to explain the procedure that takes place when RNGs are developed into games. When gaming developers build their games, they insert the RNG software to ensure that the new title will be trusted and regulated, ensuring fair play at all times.A simple example that explains the power of this tiny game-changer is the slot machine.
Developers assign a specific value to each symbol on a slot machine reel. If this is a slot worth playing, there will be between 3-5 reels and about 10-12 symbols on each reel. The RNG will then generate a value between 1-12 for all of the reels that are present. If there are more symbols on a reel or more reels in the game, then the ranges will change, but you get the point. If you get the 5 symbols that were “randomly’ generated, you’d be paid according to a paytable that can be found on almost all slot machines.
How Safe Is It?
First things first, RNG or PRNGs is the technology that is used to bring players the safest gaming experience. That being said, there have been very rare instances over the RNGs lifespan that have left people wondering how secure it is when there no humans meddling with the technology. Here are two of these unique circumstances just so you can wrap your head around why cheating the RNG is not worth it and the sheer dedication it would require.
In 2008, a gentleman by the name of Norman Clem was playing online craps at Word Wide Wagering when he noticed that he suffering losses more frequently than he had anticipated. Clem decided that he would track his wins/losses over 365 days. It became clear to him that he was being duped as he should have won 49% of the time. Instead, he only recorded winning 27% of the time. If you’ve never played craps before, let’s just say that this is very far from the standard deviation. Clem posted his results online and the rest is history.
There was another event recorded in the 1990s.Ronald Harris, who was employed by The Nevada Gaming Control Board to locate flaws and errors in software, used his knowledge to cheat the system and modify slot machines. Harris and his partner stole thousands of dollars until he was found out in 1995. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison, only served five and is still not allowed to step foot in a casino to this day. Whether Harris thinks the jig was worth it or not, remains a mystery, but it's a prime example of how cheating doesn’t make you a winner in the end.
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