Playing Penny Slots
- Penny slots – slot machines with denominations from 1 cent (“penny”) all the way up to $100.00 or more per credit. They are the best way to play for a longer time. You’ll have greater chances of scoring that enormous progressive jackpot.
- Penny Slots Playability Even though penny slots require low wagers per spin, it does not mean that it cannot deplete one’s account fast. Considering one can set the reels in motion about six hundred times per hour, one spends at least six dollars per hour.
- The best free slots are multi-platform, so you’ll also enjoy playing both on desktops and portable devices. From playing free slots, you can take the leap to real money gaming and start cashing in on those lucky spins. Online Casino Games FAQs. Where can I play free slots? You can play free online slots.
- You might think that penny slots just cost one cent to play. However, this often isn’t the case. Particularly at brick-and-mortar casinos, you’ll find that minimum spin values can be 50 or 100.
Some of the best penny slot machines to play contain 3 reels with only 1 pay line, whereas others may have up to 5 paylines and are referred to as classic slots. Nonetheless, penny slots typically contain nine to twenty-five paylines. While there are different kinds of.
Casino floors used to be filled with nickel and quarter slot machines. And casinos made healthy slots profits with these coin denominations for decades.
But nowadays, penny slot machines are the dominant game. These slot machines are enticing because they only require players to bet one cent on each payline.
Some might think of these games as mindless entertainment due to how you’re merely spinning the reels over and over. But I’ve actually learned some important lessons from playing penny slots.
Here are the 5 biggest lessons I learned from penny slot machines, including things I’ve applied to both gambling and real-life situations.
1. Always Understand What You’re Getting Into – Especially With Penny Slots
The name alone is what draws many players to penny slot machines. The term penny slots creates the idea that you can play for as little as one cent per spin.
But this isn’t the case at all, because most penny slots force you to play a fixed number of paylines. If you’re on a 50-line penny slot machine, then you’ll need to wager a minimum of $0.50 per turn.
This isn’t exactly what beginning gamblers have in mind when they sit down to a penny slots game. The same players are often shocked when their money quickly vanishes.
I myself fell for this the first time I played a penny slot machine. I automatically assumed that the game was going to be really cheap, but it drained my funds faster than a nickel or quarter machine.
I’m not saying that casinos are evil for putting these games on their floors. But you need to be aware of what you’re getting into with these games, just like anything else in life.
Here’s a dramatic comparison. You should always read through a contract before signing it, because failing to read a contract before signing could loop you into a bad deal. Likewise, you shouldn’t play a penny slot machine without first reading the help screen.
I realize that there’s more at stake when you sign a bad contract without reading through. But I want to stress that some penny slot machines are like bad contracts of the gambling world.
This explains how many lines you need to play along with minimum bets for specific bonus features and the jackpot.
For example, Aristocrat’s Game of Thrones slot machine requires that you make a 100-credit wager to active the Fire & Blood Bonus.
You can risk less than this on Game of Thrones. But most slots players don’t want to play a game where they don’t qualify for the best bonus features.
Some slot machines require that you play up to 300 credits, or $3 per spin for certain bonuses and/or the progressive jackpot, and $3 is hardly what players expect to wager on a penny slot machine.
Again, read the help screen to find out how much you need to bet to be eligible for every feature. This prevents you from being shocked when having to risk $1-$3 per spin to play.
The good news is that you can find cheaper penny slot machines in land-based casinos. Some of these games only require that you play 20 lines or less to qualify for everything.
2. Prepare Your Bankroll for the Worst
Continuing off the last point, many penny slots can be expensive. And this taught me both a life and gambling lesson in that you should always prepare for the worst.
Sometimes unexpected things happen that can rock you financially.
Nobody expects their heater to go out. But when it does, and the heater needs replaced, you’re staring at a $1,200 bill.
Hopefully no slot machine ever becomes this expensive for you. But on a smaller scale, you should always plan for the worst with slots.
This is especially the case with penny games that require playing 100-300 credits to unlock every feature. You’re risking between $1 and $3 per spin in this case.
Slot machines are already volatile, meaning they produce very unpredictable short-term results. Adding expensive bets on top of this volatility can create a bankroll nightmare.
How do you avoid this nightmare and plan for the worst? The best way is to do some simple bankroll calculations.
Here’s an example for a land-based penny slot machine.
- The average land-based penny slots player loses 350 bets (units) per hour
- You have a $500 bankroll
- You choose a penny slot with 50 lines ($0.50 minimum bet)
- 500 / 0.5 = 1,000 units
- 1,000 / 350 = 2.86
- You can expect your bankroll to last for 2.86 hours on this 50-line game
Keep in mind that this is only an average estimate, and you should have enough money to cover an even-worse scenario. As long as you only bring money to the casino that you’re fine with losing, then this won’t bother you.
3. Don’t Let Colorful Themes and Small Payouts Trick You
We all know that companies use clever marketing campaigns to get us to buy the products.
I accept this fact because businesses are out to increase their profit margins. And marketing is one of the best tools to make this happen.
But on the same note, I don’t want to be a slave to clever marketing and buy a bunch of things I don’t need.
Slot machines are similar in that gaming companies use colorful themes, 3D graphics, music, bonuses, and more to attract your attention. Slots makers know that their products will be placed in more casinos if they draw a large share of players.
I have no problem with people choosing slot machines based on the themes and surrounding entertainment. After all, the point of playing slots is to have fun.
But don’t get so sucked into the theme, graphics, and alluring music that you lose all sense of time and money. Instead, realize that these elements are designed to keep you playing longer than you initially planned for.
Another trick to avoid involves the numerous small payouts that modern slot machines offer.
Multiple studies have shown that a psychological effect kicks in when players receive small rewards after each spin. These frequent payouts convince players that they’re winning, even when they’re losing money overall.
Here’s an example to illustrate this phenomenon.
- You’re playing 100 lines on a penny slot ($1 bet)
- You win a $0.20 payout on one line
- While the win is nice, you’ve technically lost $0.80 overall
Stepping back, anybody can logically see that this is a losing long-term proposition. And $0.20 payouts don’t make up for the loss of $0.80.
But it’s tougher to think in these terms when you’re engrossed in a game while making span after spin. This is another area where you need to be consciously aware of what game manufacturers are doing.
While it’s great to net lots of wins in each session, you also need to keep your overall winnings and bankroll in mind.
4. Playing Lots of Lines Is Entertaining
I’ve already discussed how expensive penny slot machines can be. But one of the greatest benefits is that you can also win lots of payouts thanks to the numerous lines.
Every payline that’s in play gives you a chance to win. And while the odds of winning with each line aren’t great, it’s still fun knowing that you have 50 or more chances to win on each turn.
The same lesson can be applied to life in that people are sometimes willing to pay more for certain forms of entertainment.
One example is how you can race Ferraris and Lamborghinis around the SPEEDVEGAS track for anywhere between $50 and $80 per lap.
Driving go-karts is cheaper and also entertaining. But go-karts don’t give adults the same thrills as driving a Ferrari around a race track.
Playing penny slot machines with lots of lines doesn’t have to comparatively be so expensive either.
Instead, you can choose games with lower volatility that increase your hit frequency, or the odds of winning with each individual payline. Doing so boosts the chances that you’ll net frequent wins and better sustain your bankroll.
A small number of slot machines actually offer a volatility rating in the help screen. For example, you might see between 1 and 5 lightning bolts to indicate how much variance is involved.
Unfortunately, most penny slots don’t have volatility ratings. You have to look for specific factors in this case to determine the game’s volatility.
Here are 3 factors that can help you out.
- Jackpot size
- Number of large payouts
- Number of small payouts
Low-volatility penny slots feature a smaller jackpot, fewer large payouts, and more small prizes than the average game.
A smaller jackpot combined with fewer large prizes means that a slot machine doesn’t need to make up for the top-heavy payout structure. In turn, the game can offer more small payouts on a frequent basis.
Of course, some players are only interested in playing for big jackpots and other prizes. This is perfectly fine if you don’t mind dealing with the chance that your bankroll will quickly disappear.
But if you want to extend your entertainment on a penny slot with 100 or more lines, then look for signs of low volatility.
Online Penny Slots
5. Cheaper Penny Slots Alternatives Exist
Many of the lessons that I’ve learned regarding penny slots came in land-based casinos. But one more lesson I learned comes from the world of online penny slots.
When people can’t afford a specific item or form of entertainment, they seek out companies that can provide them for a cheaper rate.
Not everybody can purchase expensive Gucci or Chanel clothing. But almost everybody can afford clothes at Walmart or on Amazon.com.
And you can look at online penny slots as the Amazon or Walmart of the gambling world.
I’m not saying that the value from online penny slot machines comes entirely from how cheap they are. In fact, a great deal of people play these games just because they’re more convenient than going to the casino.
But it should also be noted that internet penny slots are perfect for anybody who finds land-based slot machines to be too expensive.
Some online penny slots truly embody the name, because the minimum bet is $0.01 (one cent on a single line). This is what many gamblers have in mind when they first hear the words penny slots.
Other games require you to play between 20-50 fixed paylines. While this is expensive for some players, it’s still cheaper than what’s seen in land-based casinos.
On these games, I usually play anywhere from 20-30 lines at a penny apiece.
Also note that many online penny slot machines see you qualify for bonuses and the jackpot no matter how much you wager. This is good for anybody who cringes at being forced to play 100-300 lines for the features.
That said, check out online casinos if you don’t like the prospect of spending $0.50 or more on the average penny slot machine.
Conclusion
The main lesson worth noting about penny slot machines is that they’re not what the name implies. As long as you understand this fact going in, you’ll be perfectly fine with these games.
You should note that penny slots in land-based casinos have fixed payline amounts.
Brick-and-mortar casinos have more expenses to pay than online casinos. Therefore, they need to win back a greater rate from slot machine players.
Remember that casinos are businesses like anything else. And their goal is to earn enough money to make profits. That said, requiring 50+ pay lines and using entertaining themes to keep people playing doesn’t make them corrupt.
On the other hand, you want to know this all right away. By knowing this info, you’ll avoid having to learn the same lessons that I did through penny slot machines.
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Do you want to start winning? Are you familiar with the secrets to one of the casinos best games?
Penny slot machines are a great way to get started at the casino. You can learn a lot by starting with lines and fast bets. But, do you know the best ways to win at the penny slots?
It takes some small tricks and a whole lot of betting to start winning. If you want to know the best ways to get there, keep reading for everything you need to know.
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1. Don’t Let Promises Fool You
You need to be mentally prepared to win at penny slots. The game is fun and addicting which is exactly why so many people lose. Rather than come up with good strategies and budgeting wisely, most beginners launch into the game until their money is gone.
You can use self-control to avoid losing at penny slots. All penny slots look like innocent games stacked with attractive lights. If you look past the sirens call, you can learn the best methods for beating the slots.
For example, if you set your bankroll low then you’re more likely to save money or make a profit. This might seem counter-intuitive, but expecting constant wins is what leads most players to fail. You can avoid losing by using your wits to set out several safe bankrolls.
A Strategy That Works
Start by picking games that let you pick your lines and coins. This will give you more freedom to play and make money.
Next, avoid the biggest attention-seeking slots. These are more likely to have crazy low odds. They will also cost you more money.
Choose games that let you play your style of slots. Finally, when you start getting on a roll, count all your coins and gather yourself. If you follow these steps you’re more likely to win than half of the people around you.
2. Bet Low on Big Stacks
Betting low can help you learn the best way to play a particular slot machine. Firstly, you lose less money. Secondly, you can spend less money on jackpots for certain machines. This strategy leads to more attempts for greater rewards.
For example, you can use low betting strategies on wild games to win major jackpots. Essentially, wild games give you the best odds for winning big on a budget. These are the games you want to play when warming up or if you’re done for the night.
You might also want to put aside money for low and high betting nights. That way you can choose when you want to safely take risks.
3. Plan Before Your Bet
Plan your bets before you sit down at a game. Start by counting your money and setting a limit. Don’t worry, you can win at more slots this way.
If you aren’t planning before you bet you risk losing focus. You’re at the slots to have fun, but if you want to win, be strategic about your bets.
Here’s a good example. If you see a big payoff, count the heads of your coins and do the math. What are you willing to bet for the odds set before you?
Think like a strategist and keep your coins counted. These two values will help you win any night.
4. Small Payoff Tricks
Even penny slot machines with the best odds can trick a novice. All people feel good when after a series of hits and instant payoffs. Few beginners take these hits as a sign they are running out of money.
You can avoid this slippery trick by watching your input and output. Be diligent about the number of spins you have and don’t forget where you are. It might feel brilliant to get instant gratification, but you should be in control of that feeling.
Here’s a trick for the trickster: watch and listen to the number of lights and sounds a penny slot shouts at you. If you do this, you’re more likely to spot where you’re making your money back.
Why? It’s common for people to get carried away by the sounds of success. If you want to get better at penny slots, you’ll want to keep your suspension of disbelief.
5. Caution Over Maximum Spin
Penny slots lure beginners into choosing many lines. When you first play you might feel ready to reach for bigger spins. My advice is to approach every penny slot with caution.
When you’re first learning how to play penny slots it’s a good idea to count your change ahead of time. Don’t jump to a big spin until you know the exact amount you started with. Remember that slots like these convince beginners to spend their money quickly.
In fact, one of the fun parts of penny slots is how fast you can bet. You use less money than with other games and can spin high as you want. All of these are signs that should direct beginners toward caution and reservation.
6. Help Screens Matter
Start by learning the rules to any given slot. The instructions should be simple and you can often find them on the help screen.
The help screen is helpful for learning the game and avoiding mistakes. If you don’t want to fool around with them I suggest researching slots you want to play ahead of time.
Food for Thought
Penny slots, like any slot machine, use an RNG (random number generator) to throw up symbols. This means your odds per spin are set randomly. However, the number of random combinations changes depending on the slot you play.
It’s important you know this before betting too strong. If you understand the mechanics of the game, you’re more likely to make smarter bets.
Moreover, penny slot machines don’t cost a single penny. Don’t go into a game expecting to spend nothing, instead, look up the exact cost per spin. This might seem obvious but it’s essential to setting strategic bets that help you win.
7. Think Like A Penny Slot
You can find penny slot machines with the best odds by experimenting with your lines and bets. Before you spin, try switching up your bets and number of lines. This will make the slot constantly readjust its outcome.
Imagine that you’re playing a game made using a different language. The best way for you to learn the ins and outs is to play with your options. Penny slots are similar to arcade-style fighting games in more than one way.
For instance, when you’re playing a fighting arcade game, you don’t want to choose the same button layout every time. This lowers your chances for getting critical moves and confusing your opponent.
The same applies to slot machines, something you will learn by pressing buttons randomly and playfully. You can raise your chances of success even higher by pressing several buttons at once.
A Suggestion
If you use this experimental style you might bet too much by accident. You can avoid losing your money by keeping a careful eye on your bet after choosing new combinations. Make sure to know your limits before playing with total freedom.
Moreover, repeated patterns are one of the main reasons why people lose at slot machines. If you seemingly random odds of winning, playing with random techniques can be a smart counter-move.
Time for You to Win at Penny Slot Machines
Penny slot machines can be the most fun you’ll have gambling. You might even win big after using the techniques mentioned in this post.
You’re more likely to win or break even if you stay cautious. Save your big risks for the moments when you have the cash to put down. Furthermore, if you want to win big while spending a small amount, choose wild games and mix up your playing style.
Penny slots require a good mentality to win. They can be an unstoppable amount of fun and give immediate results for almost no effort. This is exactly why it’s important for you to build a strong strategy.
Speaking of strategy, you should explore the other methods to win at the casino. Don’t keep yourself locked to the slots when you have other options to try. If you want to have fun winning money then you need to read on.
Your next step is to check out all the other resources on casino games. From sports betting to poker, it’s your time to beat the odds. Keep reading for the tips you need!