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PRNG Vs RNG: What’s the Difference and Does It Matter? /

PRNG Vs RNG: What’s the Difference and Does It Matter?

You don't hear much about PRNG's as compared with RNG's. And that's because the former is only used with social games, where no money changes hands.

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Introduction: What Is a PRNG?

Have you heard of PRNG? If you’re a gambler then we’re sure you’ve come across the term “random number generator (RNG) in your casino travels. As you probably already know, this is a system or program that generates numbers in a random sequence. This is a means of ensuring that online casino games are actually offering totally random results. On the one hand, this ensures that there’s no way that a gambler can game the casino by predicting possible patterns in the results. And on the other hand, it gives the gambler confidence that the jackpot games are actually random, and not just set up to the benefit of the casino owner.

But there’s another term that doesn’t come up so often and that’s a pseudorandom number generator (PRNG). This is a little different from your standard RNG. One thing is that it’s only to be found in certain online casino games.

Basics of a PRNG

OK…now pay attention! The PRNG starts with a “seed” number. This will form the basis for the random sequence that the PRNG will generate for us. Here’s an example:

This PRNG starts with a seed number of 134.
Then the algorithm multiplies the number by itself: 134 x 134 = 17,956
The algorithm then multiplies the three middle digits of the result: 795 x 795 = 632,025
Finally, the algorithm uses three middle digits as the next multiplier: 202 x 202 = 40,804

More PRNG Mathematics

The above process will carry on until the PRNG makes it’s way back to the original seed number (in this case 134). Then it will begin the process again. So, in many ways, it’s exactly like an RNG, but in this case, the process keeps going until the original number is met, whereupon, it restarts the whole caboodle. The length of the algorithm is determined by the number of digits in the seed. This initial length before the algorithm starts to repeat itself is called a “period”. For example, these are examples of period length based on the number of seed digits:

2-digit seed = 100 numbers before repeating
3-digit seed = 1,000 numbers before repeating
4-digit seed = 10,000 numbers before repeating
5-digit seed = 100,000 numbers before repeating

So it’s the number of digits in the original seed that’ll determine the overall length of the cycle. The more digits in the seed, then the more cycles and the more randomness or rather, the less predictable the PRNG will be.

Pseudorandom Number Generator vs. Random Number Generator

First off, the similarities. Both RNG’s and PRNG’s start with a seed number. From this, they both generate their number of sequences. The difference is that the RNG simply spits out a result as opposed to repeating itself as the PRNG does. The takeaway here is that it’s impossible to predict the next number in any sequence produced by an RNG. Like it says on the tin, it’s just totally random. But though a PRNG is also random, but not as random as it could be. For example, though the PRNG cycle can only be changed with a new seed, you could figure out the pattern as the PRNG is repeating a cycle. You could then, in theory, raise or lower your bets taking into account upcoming results.

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But game developers are not that stupid, and they ensure that the seed number is a long one. Yes, it’s true that you might be able to crack these in theory. But with a longer seed, it’s going to take many more resources to find the hidden code.

Do Any Real Money Casinos Use PRNGs?

As far as we know, there are no casinos using PRNG. Maybe there are some offshore unlicensed entities, but if they operate in an unregulated market, then there’s nothing to say or do. Without regulation, they can do as they please. Having said that, you really need to play by the rules if you want to find new customers and retain them. So playing fairly and within the local gaming, laws are an important consideration for any gambling business that wants to grow. On the whole, gaming authorities will require online entities under their domain to have RNG’s running on all software.

For example, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) will not approve a casino with a PRNG. Their gaming license is only given out if yours is the best casino site to play, and you’ll be needing to have a least RNG’s running in the back-end to secure one.

PRNG’s are not Random Enough

Many license issuing authorities are unhappy at the thought of more PRNG’s coming into the market place. Their concern centers around those gamblers who might use them to game the system as such. Another factor is that any issues that involve PRNGs will lead to charges of incomplete randomness, which would be a huge headache for all involved. The real problem here is that the PRNG’s don’t offer complete bomb-proof randomness. It will eventually repeat itself. Offering PRNGs to an internet casino could be asking for trouble down the road. Like blood in the water, being able to win real money with this system in place will bring out the skilled players like sharks.

You’ll find these pseudorandom number generators being used in what is called “social casinos”. These are places that don’t offer real money, but tokens instead. These chips have no monetary value. The idea is to win chips and earn achievements. You can’t win money. In fact, many players actually end up spending money as opposed to gaining any, as they buy more chips.

Why Don’t Social Casinos Just Use RNGs?

For a casino that’s playing with real money, there really is no other option than to use RNG. These are more random than PRNG’s in that they offer a never-ending stream of numbers without ever having to return to the seed number. Also, a casino needs to be able to guarantee absolute randomness otherwise there would be no customers. Social casinos on the other hand, don’t need to offer this same level of sophistication as there’s no real money being played for. Many of these social casino work with a downloaded app directly onto your phone. As you’ll be using this to play with tokens, then there’s less of a need for tight security in the gameplay.

A Social Casino Doesn’t Fear Advantage Players

If a smart advantage player were to be able to crack the sequence being used in a PRNG, then the advantages to be gained from that are very limited indeed. Maybe they could start to outrank other players. Or earn more accolades. But one thing’s for sure, they will not be getting any richer. One other reason why social casino sites don’t bother with RNG’s is that there are no licensing requirements. They don’t need to be policed by the various gambling authorities that look after real money gambling sites and online casinos. A social casino is viewed as harmless entertainment and nothing more. To that end players of this format simply don’t care about the level of security. Just as long as there’s some randomness, then all is good.

Can You Trust a PRNG?

In truth, you’re never going to have to bother with such a question. PRNG’s aren’t for use in real money gambling. They are only to be found on social casinos, where the randomness isn’t of primary importance. Though the PRNGs will eventually repeat their cycle, for the average player who’s not dealing with real money, the level of randomness in use is certainly good enough. Professional gamblers are not going to be playing at social casinos as there’s no money involved in the game what so ever.

Conclusion

Though a pseudorandom number generator appears to work in a similar manner to the tried and trusted RNG’s, there’s a fundamental difference. It’s that the former will eventually come full circle and start to repeat it’s a numerical cycle. Within this, there lies a very rare possibility that if you’re a savvy gambler, you might be able to find the beginning and end of the cycle. By doing so you’ll be able to increase your jackpot winning chances through your ability to predict results.

With real money casinos, they can’t have any possible gaps in their security. Hence they only stick with RNGs. This way there’s zero possibility that an advantage player or clever gambler could take any advantage of them. On the other hand, a social casino really has no worries as far as the depth of security goes, as there’s no money involved in the game-play. Now go away and play!