A gambling device that accepts cash or tokens and pays out prizes in accordance with a fixed program. The machine is operated by pulling a handle or pushing a button, which spins one to three or more reels marked into horizontal segments by varying symbols (stars, card suits, bars, and numbers 7 being the favourite). Each spin yields a different combination of symbols and the number of wins and losses determines the total payout amount. The machine’s random number generator produces thousands of combinations per second, so that each spin is independent of the previous ones and a player can’t predict or manipulate the outcome.
Modern slot machines have largely abandoned mechanical designs in favour of computer programs, but they still use the same basic principle. A handle mechanism activates a crank that pulls back a kicker and then pushes it forward against stoppers, which hold the reels in place. The reels then rotate, and the jangle of discs and metal as they fall into line provides much of the enjoyment for slot-machine players.
Whether they win or lose, the experience of playing slots is often very different from that of other gambling games. Unlike the arousal caused by winning a jackpot in a casino, which is associated with positive affect variance, losing in a slot machine is often associated with negative affect variance. This article investigates the reasons behind these contrasting experiences and describes two new measures of reward reactivity, PRP and force as a function of win size, that provide unobtrusive data on the emotional experiences of slot players.