While some casino games have a skill element in the outcome, some casino games are purely according to chance. Because all online casino games are partly or completely driven by chance, all casino games rely upon a random number generator, or RNG within the software that powers the game. The RNG is a mathematical application that does precisely what it says: generates a totally random number. Not all RNGs are exactly the same, and they have to be tested extensively to be certain that the numbers they generate actually are random.

In certain games, the utilization of an RNG has an obvious role. In European roulette, for example, the RNG generates a number from 1 to 37 (with 37 corresponding to “0”) on the roulette wheel. The RNG generates a number, the casino stops, and bets are paid or forfeited.

In craps, the RNG must generate two random numbers simultaneously, as well as in single deck card games, the RNG has to generate a number from 1 to 52, with each of those numbers corresponding to a specific card. During an individual deck card game, the RNG has to “remember” which cards it has already dealt so that they will not be dealt again. With multiple-deck games like online blackjack, the RNG has an much more complicated mathematical algorithm driving it.

Some RNGs require the user to specify an initial “seed” value, which itself varies randomly. Many of them use the time on a clock as a seed, so that there isn’t any human intervention at all in the RNG. You can find some RNGs that really involve numerous RNGs running all at the same time, with one RNG picking from among the results, creating a sort of super-randomness to the calculation. Remember, these are very oversimplified ways of describing how RNGs work, but it gives you some concept of the “brain” behind the many online casino games you enjoy.

To be deemed as fair, numbers spit out by any RNG have to be unpredictable and unbiased. To ensure that this really is the case, internet gaming platforms have to be tested regularly by independent testing entities like eCOGRA. The testing groups have to test the RNG algorithms over millions of hands of card games or millions of throws of dice to be certain that the numbers are unpredictable and unbiased.

In your online research about internet gambling, you might stumble across a person or site telling you that a particular slot machine has a “cycle” that’s predictable enough that you may learn when it’s “due” for a jackpot, or that will want to sell you some sort of system for predicting hits. These ploys aren’t gambles at all: they are just good ways to throw away your hard earned money. Save those hard-earned dollars for linked webpage another thing!

When choosing among online casinos, you will want to look for ones whose gaming software is tested by eCOGRA, Certified Fair Gambling (CFG), Gaming Associates, BMM International, Technical Systems Testing (TST), Price Waterhouse Coopers, or another reputable independent auditor. A casino online which is up front about its software platform and independent auditing is much more prone to give you a fair and fun internet gaming experience.