What is a RNG and how is it used in gaming?
If you’re familiar with online casino gaming – or even video gaming for that matter – you’ve probably come across some unique terminology. One of the most common terms you’ll hear when playing Vegas Slots online is ‘RNG’.
Join us as we take a look at exactly what RNG stands for, and why it’s one of the most crucial elements in gaming.
What RNG stands for
RNG stands for Random Number Generator. In short, you can’t have games of chance without one.
The computer software is designed to replicate randomness, and so generates a new, unpredictable combination of numbers or symbols every single second.
This means that the very second you activate the game, is the exact moment the outcome is decided. You’ll be pleased to know that RNGs have no memory, so it doesn’t matter how frequently or recently a win, or more positive outcome has occurred.
To figure out how likely a winning combination might be, you can check out your chosen game’s Return to Player (RTP) rate and volatility. You can find this in the description of your chosen game on the casino site,
Games that use RNGs
You’ll likely come across RNGs in many aspects of online and video gaming, but at the online casino, the software is relied on to keep a multitude of the games fair, fun and unpredictable. It has the same effect as an automatic card shuffler (ACS), which is commonly found in land-based casino venues.
A prime example of an online RNG is in slot games, where the software works behind the scenes to create unpredictable combinations that are revealed the very second you press spin.
You’ll also find that other digital games, like Blackjack and Roulette, rely on the behind-the-scenes workings of a RNG.
In some cases, a RNG will be present during live casino games. Here, it works alongside the professionally trained dealer and plenty of other state-of-the-art technologies, to ensure the games provide you with an authentic casino experience, in real-time.
Other common casino terms
There are plenty of other gaming terms you’ll likely hear alongside RNG, such as the aforementioned RTP rate and ACS.
In addition, you might also come across Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software and Game Control Units (GCU), particularly if you’re playing live casino games.
To keep you in the know, OCR software picks up every tiny detail of gameplay – from the shuffling of cards, to the spin of a Roulette wheel – and translates it into data.
This is where the GCU comes in. This is a small device which encodes the data so it can be translated and viewed on your screen in real-time.
—
As you can see, there’s plenty of technology involved in both land-based and online gaming, and RNGs are arguably the most important part. The next time you play online casino games, or even standard video games, keep an eye out for the elements a RNG might control, so you can feel like a pro and impress your friends with all your behind-the-scenes knowledge.
