Payout frequency is an important concept that refers to how often slot machines pay. And I’ve had some players ask me if the number of slots symbols affects payout frequency.
That said, I’m going to answer this question by discussing what players think versus the reality.
What Players Think about Slots Symbols
Some slot machine players believe that they’re more likely to win on complex 5-reel games with more symbols. The reason why is because these slots often have around a dozen icons.
Here’s an example of this perception:
3-reel slot with 7 symbols = lower payout frequency.
5-reel slot with 12 symbols = higher payout frequency.
Why do some players think that a slot machine with more icons will pay more?
The reason is simply because there are more possible payout combinations. Therefore, they believe that these machines will also deliver more prizes.
What’s the Truth?
In an ideal world, we’d be able to figure out which slot machines offer more payouts by simply looking at the number of symbols. But in truthfulness, this isn’t the case at all.
The main reason why is because slots symbols are programmed to appear with the same frequency. High-paying symbols appear less often, while low-paying icons are more prevalent.
How can You Really Figure Out Hit Frequency?
Some online slot machines show their payout frequency by showing the “volatility” rating. Volatility refers to how often a slot machine is likely to pay.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of slots don’t give you any indication on volatility. This means that you need another way to figure it out.
And the best way is by looking at the quantity of low-paying symbols. In most cases, a slot machine with more low icons will deliver payouts on a more-frequent bases.
Likewise, a slot with a huge jackpot and few low-paying symbols won’t pay very often.