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

In certain games, the use of an RNG has an obvious role. In European roulette, as an 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 has to generate two random numbers simultaneously, as well as in single deck card games, the RNG must generate a number from 1 to 52, with each of those numbers corresponding to a particular card. During a single deck card game, the RNG must “remember” which cards it has already dealt to ensure that they won’t 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, in order that there is absolutely no human intervention at all in the RNG. There are some RNGs that basically 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. Simply, these are very oversimplified ways of describing how RNGs work, but it gives you some idea 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 make sure that this 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.

Within your online research about internet gambling, you might stumble across someone or site telling you that a certain slot machine has a “cycle” that’s predictable enough you can learn online casino gambling 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’re just good ways to throw away your money. Save those hard-earned dollars for another thing!