What is the name slot machine?
It's a draw shaped like a slot machine: you add the participants, pull the lever and the three reels spin. If all three stop on the same name, that participant wins the prize. It's a far more exciting way to draw lots than a plain list, with all the tension of watching whether the reels line up.
Unlike the wheel or the classic name picker, here the prize doesn't always land: sometimes you win, sometimes you're left at the door, just like a real machine.
How does it work?
- Add participants by typing each name and pressing the + button (minimum two).
- Pull the lever (or tap the machine) and the reels start spinning.
- The reels stop one by one: if the first two match, the third one plays hard to get for the tension.
- Three of a kind = prize: the winning name lights up with lights and confetti.
Is it fair? Can everyone win?
Yes. When there's a prize, the winner is decided at random with the browser's generator (Math.random()) uniformly, so every participant has exactly the same chance of winning, no matter the order you added them. A prize comes up every several spins to keep the excitement.
Everything happens inside your browser: participants are kept only during the session and nothing is sent to any server.
When does it come in handy?
The name slot machine is perfect when you want to turn a boring draw into a little spectacle. It's great for deciding who pays the bill, who does the dishes or who starts a game; for drawing a gift among friends with more excitement than pulling a slip of paper; or to liven up a livestream or a classroom, where the tension of the reels grabs everyone. Since the prize doesn't drop on every spin, it also works as a "wheel of fortune": you can take turns spinning until the machine pays out, and that day the lucky one wins. And if you only need to pick yes or no, or between written options, the coin or the wheel will suit you better; the slot machine shines when there are several people and you want drama.
Frequently asked questions
How do you win on the slot machine?
When the three reels stop on the same name, that participant wins the prize. If they don't match, you spin again.
Does everyone have the same chance?
Yes. When there's a prize, the winner is chosen at random uniformly, so every name has exactly the same chance of winning.
How often does a prize come up?
Every several spins, like a real slot machine. Often the first two reels match and the third one keeps you in suspense.
How many participants can I add?
As many as you want, with a minimum of two. Type each name and press the button to add it; you can remove them with the cross.
Are the participants saved?
Only during the session, inside your browser. When you close the tab they reset and nothing is sent to any server.
Why do the first two reels sometimes match but not the third?
It's on purpose, to add excitement: when the first two names come up the same, the third reel slows down and leaves you wondering whether there'll be a prize. It's the classic slot-machine "near miss", but the result was already decided at random from the start.
Does the prize chance depend on the number of participants?
No. Every spin has the same chance of paying out, no matter how many names there are. The prize comes up every several spins, just enough to keep the tension without dragging on.