3 ms·
My understanding is that the algorithm is something like: func doTheyWin(): if timeSinceLastWin < 10: winPercentage = 1 else if timeSinceLa
by jrockway 5y ago
My understanding is that the algorithm is something like:
func doTheyWin():
if timeSinceLastWin < 10:
winPercentage = 1
else if timeSinceLastWin < 100:
winPercentage = 25
else:
winPercentage = 99
return random(100) < winPercentage
That is an algorithm designed to meet people's expectations of the gambler's fallacy, basically.
Other comments say that slot machines in Las Vegas are prohibited from using this algorithm, but nothing is stopping, say, video games from doing this. (Hearthstone has a "pity timer" for giving you legendary cards in card packs, for example. It's random until it feels bad for you, or more likely the data shows that you won't buy any more card packs and they'll go out of business if they don't give you a legendary every 40 card packs or whatever.)