Penny Slot Machines: The Most Popular Casino Game
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If you had to guess, what do you think is the most profitable stream of revenue for the casinos in Las Vegas? Is it the conventions that bring in tons of traffic? The lavish shopping, spas or pool parties? The incredible dining? Or maybe it’s the sports betting, blackjack or poker tournaments?
If you said any of those, you’d be wrong. That’s because the most profitable games for the casino are penny slots. Yes, the simple spinners where you throw in a penny and see what happens tends to be the most popular and profitable.
Penny slot machines are very popular among casino gamblers because most don’t worry about losing a penny here or there. Players can enjoy these games for a minimal amount of money and their money tends to last longer. In other words, they can stay and play for a while. And taking a look across the gaming floor landscape, you can’t really get into any other game for cheaper.
If you’re new to penny slots, it’s time you went for a spin. In this article, we’re going to go over exactly what they are, why they’re so fun and how you should play them.
What Are Penny Slots?
If you’ve never heard of penny slots, they’re simply a type of slot machine. While they have different themes and paylines and reels, the bottom line is that you can step up and play a spin for as little as a penny. And, of course, one of the main attractions is that you can hit a sizable jackpot and win big.
With penny slots, you’ll never win millions that you might from games like Wheel Of Fortune because those require you to bet more. However, jackpots in the thousands are more than possible.
The allure of penny slots is you can play for a little. It doesn’t cost you much, as a simple $5 bill will last you for 500 spins. And if it’s your lucky day, maybe you’ll take home a lot more than five.
Where To Find Penny Slots
You are able to find penny slot machines at both physical, land-based casinos and online shops. If you play online, you can always access them at any time and play from the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to drive anywhere, find parking and make the trek. However, land-based casinos offer a different type of environment. If you love the feel of being around the other games, people and crowds – especially when you win big – then going to a land-based casino is the way to go.
Penny slots are found alongside all of the other slot machines. Usually, they’re bunched together in a section. If you have trouble finding them, simply ask a pit boss or a helper in the casino to point them out to you.
Can Penny Slots Be Profitable?
Can they be profitable for the casino? Yes. As mentioned, they’re the biggest moneymaker for them. Can they be profitable for the player? Well, that likely depends. For the most part, it’s only a matter of luck for you. The mathematical equation suggests that in the long run, you’re not going to win playing penny slots. However, many players get lucky. It’s a random game, so you never know what might happen.
When you sit down to play, check the pay table to see what the possibilities are. A gambler in the past thought that she’d won a $43-million payout, but instead realized that she was on a machine that capped out at $6,500, so always double-check the maximum payout. Also, make sure you check out the paylines, scatter symbols and wild symbols, so that you know how to cash in when you’re playing.
The bottom line is that these machines can be profitable if you’re lucky. And if you find some luck and get a big win, you’re probably better off to quit while you’re ahead. At the end of the day, these machines tend to be big winners for the casino.
How Much Do You Wager On Them?
The answer to this question is in the name: a penny! While it’s not always just a single cent, like you might imagine a penny slot machine would cost, it’s really up to you. The minimum spin values on these games are about 1 to 100 credits on the slots. That means you can play as little as a penny or amp it up more based on how many lines and credits you want to play per spin. Most people end up playing approximately $1 per spin. After all, there’s a reason why penny slots account for 50 percent of some properties’ incomes.
However, be wary of how much money you’re spending on a particular session. These spins go awfully fast and seconds can quickly turn into minutes and then hours. If you’re playing a penny, no sweat. If you’re playing 100 credits and multiple lines, just keep in mind it’s going to cost you a lot more than one penny per spin. On the flip side, if you happen to win, you’re of course going to cash in a whole lot more.
Tips On Getting The Most Out Of Penny Slots
Learn The Rules
It’s not always necessary to know the rules but it helps. Many people like to play the slots because there is very little thinking involved. Still, there are small nuances like what the scatter symbols are, what the paylines are, and what the bonus rounds look like.
Before you go ahead and deposit real money into the machine or your online account, check the rules to understand what the possible outcomes are. There are symbols in the game that lead to wins and some symbols don’t. Simple things like the number of free spins that can be awarded and the number of coins you bet on can also help you out in the long run.
Bust The Myths
Superstition runs high for these games, as with many casino games, because luck does play a primary factor. People think that they have to follow some type of strategy beforehand in order to maximize the profits they can reap out of their time playing. Some believe in cold or hot slot machines. On top of that, others think that many casinos themselves manage how long a slot game can go without paying out. Don’t overthink these types of things as they aren’t real factors. It’s mostly just luck and random numbers that decide your chance of winning.
Pick The Best Machine
There are a ridiculous number of penny slots games that you are able to play, so take your time and decide on the one that best suits what you want to do. It’s not a matter of one being more generous to you than others; it’s more about your tastes. Do you like games with three reels or five? Do you like games with big bonus rounds or simple spinners? Do you like 30 paylines that give you lots of opportunities to win or do you find that confusing? And lastly, what type of theme do you like? There are all sorts of styles, from jungle themes to traditional cards to James Bond-esque games. Pick the one that you actually enjoy.
Sometimes, it takes a while to figure out the one that just speaks to you the most. The good news is that if you play online, you can try any game and play free penny slots to see if you enjoy it. If you do, then you can start playing for real money.
Maximize Your Deposits
Land-based casinos aren’t the best when talking about maximizing your deposits but online sure gives you bonuses. Make sure you take advantage of any matching deposit bonuses because those will give you more money to play with. Land-based casinos don’t give you that and they also rarely offer free spins.
With online casinos, you’re going to get a welcome bonus – usually a big one – and then also get reload bonuses and regular free spins. That will allow you to maximize the money that you’re getting out of the experience. The bigger the bankroll you’re starting with, the more you can win in the long run. Or, at least, the more your money can last.
If there’s a 100 percent match bonus, that means you can double your cash right away. It’s one of the great perks of playing at online casinos as they don’t have the same overhead as land-based venues. Make sure you cash in.
