Being told you’ve missed is one of the worst things in gaming, but what about a near miss? Yes, these exist in casino slang, as well!
A near miss in casino language refers to the idea that even though a player didn’t win, the outcome they received is closer to a win than a loss. We know…weird logic, isn’t it? However, the term is more popular than you think, especially in online casinos, because many games multiply winning possibilities through added features.
Slots in physical casinos have bonus rounds and features like free spins, but online games have the capacity and technology to carry bigger and better features.
But why are near misses important, and why are they so well-known in the casino scene?
Near Misses: A More Detailed Summary
As we mentioned, near misses are when an outcome comes very close to a win or a player thinks it is closer to a win than a loss. For example, if a few winning symbols land on the reels, but you need one more to win that lands just above or below the payline, that is a near miss.
In the eyes of the player, they will view that as an almost win or a near miss, despite not winning from that spin at all.
How Do Near Misses Work?
There is a science to near misses. Near miss outcomes are engineered into slot machines, aiming to create the illusion that a player is close to winning. This encourages them to play for longer, which means the casino makes money as they bet more to have more spins.
There are two types of near misses:
- True Near Miss – Where the outcome is only missing a symbol to win – a true reflection of a near miss.
- False Near Miss – The symbol looks like it is close to a win on the paylines, but it is not actually possible for a win.
Slot machine technology has no bearing on producing the near misses. It is the game design and graphics that impact the symbol’s appearance, which show near misses. In other words, it is the way the reels are structured and where the paylines are that can change the display of outcomes.
The Effect On The Player
The bigger effect on the player is the psychological one. In the brain, landing a near miss activates something in the player’s brain that convinces them they are on their way to landing a winning combination. From this, they conclude that they are making progress toward earning a reward, increasing the urge to continue playing the game.
Combining this with the visuals and sounds from the slot machine, players become conditioned to keep spinning, hoping they will win.
Pros & Cons Of Near Misses
In the eyes of the player, near misses are not a bad thing…well, mostly. How can there even be positives? Let’s break it down.
Pros
- Increases motivation to win.
- Almost winning stops repetitive and boring gameplay.
- Adds excitement and thrills to the experience.
Cons
- Triggers a false sense of control, even though results are random.
- Can encourage risky gameplay.
- Considered unethical by some.
Near Misses: A Controversial Debate
The appearance of near misses in slot games is controversial because there is an ethical question about whether they are fair. Some regulators have even questioned this practice.
In 2021, the UK Gambling Commission announced changes to casino game designs to keep players safe. Introduced in these measures were limits on the speed of spins and the ban on features that mimic near misses. These measures were focused on slots because of the intensity and speed of the gameplay.
Two years later, the UKGC assessed the impact of these changes and concluded that gameplay intensity in online slots had slowed since then, thanks to the changes.
However, the question remains: Are casual players aware of the concept of near misses? Do they even know they may be chasing wins because their brain has convinced them the slots have a pattern?
The Impact Of An Almost Win
Even if the game design feature has been banned in the UK, the power of a near miss, or an almost win, is undeniable. Players and game designers alike recognise the responses their brain has when they almost land that combination. Seasoned gamblers who are aware of the near miss are less likely to fall into betting patterns trying to land a win on the slots, but not everyone knows.
Therefore, players should be made aware of how powerful near misses are to ensure they make healthy and informed decisions when playing slots.
