Notes on Python Slot Machine Project

Introduction

• Teaching Python through project-based learning.
• Focus on structure of programs and confidence building in coding.

Sponsor Clarification

• Sponsored by OctoML CLI for deploying ML models.
• Emphasis on not supporting gambling, project is educational.

Project Overview

• Building a text-based slot machine:
  • User deposits money.
  • Allows betting on 1 to 3 lines.
  • Determine winnings based on bets and lines.
  • User can continue playing or cash out.

Project Complexity

• Need to implement multiple functions:
  • Collect deposits and balance management.
  • Allow betting on selected lines.
  • Generate random slot machine results.
  • Calculate winnings based on user inputs.

Function Breakdown

1. Collecting User Input

• Introducing a function called deposit() to handle user deposits:
  • Prompt for deposit amount.
  • Validate numeric input and ensure it's greater than zero.
• Example of basic validation: while True: amount = input('What would you like to deposit? $') if amount.isdigit(): amount = int(amount) if amount > 0: break

2. Lines Betting Functionality

• Function get_number_of_lines():
  • Prompt user for the number of lines to bet on (1 to 3).
  • Validate the input similarly to the deposit function.

3. Betting Amount Functionality

• Function get_bet():
  • Collects bet amount and ensures it's within user balance limit.
  • Use of constants to define max and min bets for better readability.

4. Slot Machine Logic

• Use random module to generate symbols for the slot machine.
  • Define a function get_slot_machine_spin() to simulate the slot machine:
    • Collect total symbols from defined frequency distributions (e.g., a, b, c, d).
• Handling the arrangement of slot results effectively using a matrix approach.

5. Winnings Calculation

• Create a function check_winnings():
  • Check if the symbols in selected lines match for the user's bets.
  • Calculate the winnings based on defined symbol values and user bet amounts.

6. Main Game Loop

• Wrap the game logic in a game() function to repeatedly accept user input and play rounds until the user chooses to exit.
  • Update balance after each round based on winnings.
  • Handle user interface for entering choices and displaying current balance.

Python Features Used

• Functions and Return Values: Encapsulation of logic for modular design.
• While Loops for dynamic user input handling.
• List and Dictionary Data Structures: For managing complex data (e.g., slots).
• Enumerates and F-strings: Effective string formatting and iteration.
• Error Handling with input validation.

Conclusion

• Reflect on learning outcomes: Program structure, Python basics, project implementation.
• Code available in description on GitHub for further reference.