Last updated on July 13th, 2024
How To Play Penny Slots
Though based on an old model, penny slots are without a doubt one of the most popular slot machines in the business to this day. So much so, that you can find penny slots at pretty much all modern casino establishments throughout the world. In fact, penny slots are still so popular that you can find them in both online and land-based casino establishments alike. The reason why they are so popular is quite simple – they require one penny per spin. So, with this in mind, it is quite clear that learning how to play penny slots can help you understand how these machines work, and most importantly, give you an advantage over the house.
What Are Penny Slots?
Just as the name suggests, penny slot machines are slots that require just one cent, i.e. charge one penny per line. Due to their convenience and low deposit requirements, penny slots have a reputation as one of the most widely played slot types in the world. As a result of their popularity, you can find penny slots in pretty much every high-traffic area that is full of people. From casinos and malls to airports and bars, penny slots are the perfect pastime activity for most casual gamblers. However, they are also available in most of the leading online casinos, which further expands the spectrum of options.
Moreover, penny slots work just like regular video slots, only they have a single payline and you can deposit as low as one penny. As a result, penny slots don’t usually come with big payouts, being that they have just one paying line and you only deposit one cent in order to play. However, there are exceptions where certain penny slots with progressive jackpots can release a big win, though this is a rare occurrence. The major drawback of penny slots, however, is their low RTP (return-to-player). Being that they don’t bring much money to the casinos, they are usually set with a lower-than-average RTP (the industry average is 95%) of down to 86% in some instances.
This is why it is absolutely crucial to check the RTP of the penny slots you are about to play, especially if you are new to this type of slot. As you can probably assume, it is best to look for penny slots that come with an RTP that is as close to 100% as possible.
How To Play – Tips
Now that we covered the basics of penny slots, it is time to take a look at some life-saving tips that will help you learn how to play.
Learn The Rules and The Mechanics
It is simply unimaginable to start playing penny slots, and more importantly, learn how to play, if you don’t learn the rules and the mechanics of the game. And this is the case with literally every casino game you play, not just penny slots. Simply check the rules and the features of the penny slot prior to making a deposit. Not only you will understand the winning patterns and the wager requirements per line, but you can also manage your budget accordingly to the game.
In addition, you can learn about the type of symbols of the slot, i.e. whether it has wilds that will substitute all symbols or high-paying symbols such as scatters that substitute low-paying symbols, whether the game comes with free spins or other bonus features, etc. In other words, before you understand how to play penny slots you first need to know how you can best influence the final outcome of your session, which is why learning the rules is quintessential.
Find The Best Penny Slots
While you initially may think that finding the best penny slot machines will be a walk in the park, in essence, things are quite different. This is because not all penny slots come with a single payline. The reason why they are called penny slots is because you are paying for a single line. This means that you shouldn’t be surprised if you see penny slots where you are required to wager 20 coins, 50 coins, or even more. Remember, there are penny slots that come with up to 100 paylines, which in other words require a much bigger bet than just one cent.
However, don’t worry as we comprised several key points that can help you distinguish the best penny slots without having to pay up to 100 coins per spin.
- Always look for penny slots that come with multiple winning ways. The more winning options you get, the better your chances to win. This is where checking the RTP comes into play, as the higher the return-to-player the better for you.
- Online penny slots are a much better alternative to penny slots at land-based casinos. They come with significantly higher RTP and require you to pay for up to 50 paylines max. Land-based penny slots have a lower RTP and can require you to pay up to 300 paylines.
- If you still end up playing penny slots at land-based casinos make sure to explore the floor. Don’t go for the penny slot machines displayed at the entrance, as the casinos purposefully put the slot that suits them the most in the most prominent location.
Start Small and Keep It Simple
While you may be tempted by the mesmerizing visuals, bright colours, or engaging features, make sure to avoid these games. Fruit-themed penny slots, especially at land-based casinos, come with low payouts, being that they are made to keep you glued to the reels as much as possible. Needless to say, this is one of the surest ways to end up losing your entire bankroll in a single sitting.
From here, it is imperative to look for penny slots with high payout frequency, smaller winnings, and the least features possible. One good example of such penny slots is the classic three-reel slots, where what you see is usually what you get. Just make sure to inform yourself prior to playing (reading the payable and learning the RTP), and you are good to go. Trust us, you don’t want to end up paying $100 per spin only to get a payout of a measly $0.50.
Claim Bonuses
Without any doubt whatsoever, claiming casino bonuses is one of the best things you can do when starting to play penny slots. This is specifically for online casinos, being that land-based casino establishments do not give out match deposit bonuses or free spins bonuses in order to boost your session. This is why claiming bonuses is a brilliant tactic that will boost your gambling budget, being that there are a plethora of useful bonuses (such as reload bonuses) where you can double your bankroll.
And this is not just limited to reload bonuses. You can also claim no-deposit bonuses that don’t require you to spend money whatsoever, which is a perfect way to kick off a penny slot session. The point we are trying to make here is that you need to look for ways to stay ahead of the casino and extend your sessions as much as you can. Regardless of whether you know how to play slots or not, claiming bonuses can and definitely will make the difference.
The Importance Of Bankroll Management
You simply cannot learn how to play penny slots without the proper bankroll management, period. Especially if we take into account that there are a lot of penny slots that will pay you fixed winnings regardless of the size of your bet. This, paired with the fact that penny slots don’t come with bonus rounds, free spins rounds, or side games, means that it is highly likely you will end up losing in the long run. So you can only imagine how much worse can the outcome get if you don’t manage your budget according to the games that you are playing.
Having a pre-determined budget specifically for your penny slot sessions is a must, and there is no other way around that. The house edge of the house is already rigged in their favour anyway, so you need to make sure that you always gamble with money that won’t affect your general finances. Regardless of which casino strategy you are going to use, or how much experience you have for that matter, playing with a proper bankroll strategy is a trait of professional players who truly understand the essence of gambling. Don’t let the emotions get the best of you, and play smart.
- A useful stat: if you play a penny slot machine with 50 paylines and you play 1 penny/cent per line, you are going to need a $125 bankroll for three hours of gameplay. If, however, you play the same penny slot machine with five pennies/cents per line, the same bankroll for a three-hour gameplay would amount to $625.
Play Demo Slots
If you are a frequent visitor of Gamblers Connect then you already know that we would eventually mention demo games. This is because demo games are the best possible way to get a feel of the game you are about to play. Moreover, you get to implement new strategies, learn the intricate mechanics behind the slot, get familiar with the bonus features and the paytable, and most importantly, learn the volatility of the game.
There are several sources on the internet where you can get access to free demo slots. From affiliate websites to casinos, all you need to do is find the game you wish to play and search for a demo version of the same. Simply put, there is no better way to learn about gambling other than practice, and there is no better way to practice for free other than playing demo slots, and this is an undeniable fact.
The Benefits of Playing Penny Slots
There are several benefits and advantages of playing penny slots as opposed to regular video slots.
- They are perfect for beginners: penny slots are simple, straightforward, and without distracting visuals and complex bonus features. Additionally, they allow you to bet a penny on just one payline, making them perfect for beginners and newbies who want to start small.
- They are affordable: all it takes is one look at the name. Penny slots are more affordable than video slots since they allow you to pay lines for a single penny. Plus, there are progressive jackpot penny slots where you can win huge jackpots with just a couple of cents.
- Online penny slots are better: simply put, playing penny slots from your home is both more convenient and smarter for your bankroll. By playing online penny slots you can also claim bonuses, play demo versions of the game, and enjoy a higher RTP than brick-and-mortar machines at Vegas casinos such as Caesars, for example.
- The risk is minimal: every game that doesn’t require you to bet huge chunks of your budget is good for your bankroll. Penny slots come with three reels, a limited number of paylines, and they allow you to bet the smallest fraction of a dollar, which drastically minimizes the risk of burnout.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of your experience with online slot gambling, you should never underestimate the simplicity of penny slots. Sure, they are less complex and much less volatile than the regular video slot machines, but they can still seriously hurt your bankroll if you are not paying attention. The best way to learn how to play penny slots is to be cautious and have a plan for attack, much like every other casino game.
Yes, penny slots are indeed easy to learn and don’t require much effort in order to become proficient. However, any game of chance that involves your hard-earned money, and with that, your day-to-day well-being, deserves a certain dose of respect and dedication. All you need in order to be good at playing penny slots is to follow the life-saving tips we mentioned above, always gamble responsibly, and play for fun. Good luck, and go get them.
