5 Lessons We Learned From Playing Penny Slots 2021. 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. Sep 14, 2019 The phrase “penny slots” refers to slot machines that accept wagers in denominations as low as $0.01. These days, most slots offer multiple line wagers and other bet multiplier options allowing for bets of much more than a penny per spin, but because players ostensibly can play the game at $0.01 per round, it is considered a penny slot.

• How To Win At Casino Penny Slots
• Vegas Penny Casino Slots
• Casino Penny Slot Wins

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.

How To Win At Casino Penny Slots

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.

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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.

Table Of Contents

Penny slots are at the foundation of modern gambling. Penny slot machines have been the most popular ones in the United States for decades.

People would pay their buy-ins with nickels and hope for the best.

When Bally came out with their now famous 'Money Honey' slot, players enjoyed the fact that they were allowed to play for up to five nickels at a time.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the word 'penny' is used to describe these games. Penny slots are not as cheap as they sound.

The first things that pop into your mind when you hear the words 'penny slots' might be low payouts and low costs.

In fact, casino penny slot machines were also viewed as slots that cost nothing but a penny to play, which can't be further away from the truth.

New Penny Slots: 2020 Addition

We've decided to expand the list and present you with a few extra penny slots that have become increasingly popular in 2020.

Take a pick and try out a new penny slot:

Double Tigers

Double Tigers is a well-designed penny slot with 3-reel, 8-payline and d 96.43% RTP.

You also get to adjust the volatility levels thanks to their unique Volatility Levels™ feature.

Necromancer

Evoplay Entertainment has really taken that extra step towards improving the slots experience when they came up with this VR-inspired 95.9% RTP game.

Throw on your VR set, grab your mobile and transport yourself to a place where scary things are happening.

The three-dimensional penny slot world offers you 80 betways and a type of gameplay that you don't see often in gambling.

Disco Bar 7s

With coin value ranging from $0.01 to $50, the max bet you can place on Disco Bar 7s is $500.

It's a classic video slot, so there isn't much going on in terms of bonus rounds, but fill up the spots with Disco Ball wild symbols and score a 10,000-coin win.

This 3-reel, 10-payline slot features an RTP of 95.96%.

Care to see our all-time top 10? Scroll down and enjoy the list and reviews of the best 10 penny slots in 2020!

Top 10 Penny Slots

Penny Slots are more than sitting down in front of a machine and popping nickel after nickel into it, after which you pull the 'arm'.

In fact, today's online penny Slots are an extrapolation of the old ones.

These penny Slots are multi-line games allowing for more than one coin bet per line.

With themes like popular movies, shows and games, but also bonus features and special symbols, these penny slot machines represent the best there is in the gambling industry today.

But enough with the chit-chat! You're here to learn about the best penny Slots you can play right now.

Below you can find a list of 10 greatest penny Slot machine games to play online.

The sites that offer these games offer both free penny Slot machines and free penny Slots with bonus rounds, you'll surely find the favourite suits you best.

All you have to do is pick your favorite, as millions of players around the world vouch for the quality of these very best 10 games.

Book of Dead

We've already mentioned this penny slot, but we'll do it again, this time in more detail.

This penny video Slot is extremely similar to the famous 'Book of Ra', yet still has some new features that will ensure good gameplay, emerging the player into the mysterious Egyptian-theme world the game depicts.

There are 5 reels and 10 paylines in the Book of Dead online Slots game.

The symbol to look for is the Book of Dead, which acts like the Wild and the Scatter of the Slot.

Golden Colts

If you get over the fact that this game is one of the creepiest out there, then you can start thinking about the Mega Symbols, Wild Reels, Stacked Symbols, Wilds, Scatters, Free Spins, and other features Golden Colts has to offer.

Blaze of Ra

Here's another Ancient Egypt virtual world for the fans of gods and amulets to explore .

The 5 reels are covered by 40 potential paylines, which is great considering the screen is cut into 4 rows and 5 columns.

The graphics of this game are very high-quality.

You have your desertic background with pyramids at the back of the reels, while the mighty god Ra stands on the left of the screen, watching your every move.

Land on a Scarab, the Scatter of the game for bonus rounds with free spins.

Pirate's Charm

This Quickspin penny Slot has a Mystery Charm Respin feature which lets you re-trigger bonuses repeatedly in the game.

The thing that makes this game stand out is the possibility to play on up to 243 paylines, which is why many players consider Pirate's Charm to be one of the best Slots ever produced by Quickspin.

As a penny Slot, you can start betting from as low as $0.2 on one spin.

The game feels like the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, offering great visuals and a theme song fitted for a pirate's life feel to it, with stunning visuals and a very nice pirate soundtrack.

Then, if you need more Slots of this kind, have a look at our curated list of the best pirate Slots.

Vikings Go to Hell

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We are all familiar with the stories about the courageous Nordic Vikings, the rulers of the Scandinavian seas and the lands surrounding them.

Vikings Go to Hell is a 5-reel, 4-row, and 25-payline Slot featuring the last recorded years of these amazing people.

Of course, the story is fantasized, so the Vikings have to take on the demons of the underworld in order to make it out alive.

Look for the Sticky Wilds which will enable multipliers and free spins once they appear on your reel. The minimum bet? Just $0.1 for one spin.

Divine Fortune

Here's another penny video Slot to consider if you're into Ancient Greek-themed Slots.

This visually gorgeous game will emerge you into the world of the gods with its 5-reels, 3-rows configuration and 20 pay lines.

Having an RTP of 96.69%, Divine Fortune can be more like a 'Divine Comedy' when you land on some Wilds, for example.

There are also three progressive jackpots scattered throughout the game.

Wild Wheel Big Money

Wild Wheel might be just a penny Slot, but don't be fooled by that, as it has one of the most impressive arrays of bonuses in the industry.

Piggy Banks, Wads, Gold Coins, and Dollars, but also Gold Bars and Cash Suitcases, these are the symbols of this Slot.

When you land on 3 Wilds, you get to play the Wheel of Fortune Bonus Game. This is the feature you should hope to become familiar with since it is the best one in the game.

Valley of the Gods

Are you ready to take another trip to Ancient Egypt?

With nice, yet simple graphics, good sound effects and bonuses, Valley of the Gods is one of those Egyptian Slots with a simple gameplay but a great return for their players.

This game by Yggdrasil has the Anubis and the Horus statues as its most rewarding symbols.

The Return to Player rate is 96,2%.

Gold King

With the Gold King Slot, you won't get to earn all the gold on the planet, but at least can spend some time playing a game with good graphics, sounds, and gameplay.

The simple 5 reels, 3 rows, and 20 paylines make this game a favorite with both the novices and the experienced players alike.

Released only a few months ago, this new Slot game is already a hit and the symbols to look for are the Gold Bars and the Gold Kings, for free spins and other bonuses.

Temple of TUT

Remember the famous story of the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb?

How about you yourself take on the trails of Howard Carter and George Herbert and try to figure out the mystery surrounding this Egyptian figure?

In Temple of TUT, there are more Super Reels than there are tombs in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt!

Land on 5 Free Spins Symbols and you will activate whopping 30 Free Spins.

The Stacked Wilds can be randomly discovered after any normal spin, but the symbols to look for are the Light beam and the Golden Scarabs.

Good luck not catching a cold, or a deadly Ancient Curse...

Penny Slots FAQ

It all depends on what you're looking for. Penny slots are amazing for players who like to spend time getting to know the slot machine and spinning reels without the pressure of making bug bets.

Penny slots are great because you can bet as little as $0.01 while you're still learning the ropes, but if you're looking to land some wins, you will probably need to increase your bets. There is no single trick that will help you win on penny slots every time, but slot strategy tips will come in handy.

Generally, if you want a penny slot machine with the best odds, you should aim at those with RTP over 97%. Progressive jackpots, bonus rounds and free spins features should also be taken into account when you're deciding how much you could win on a particular slot.

It's hard to say what penny slot game is the best to play because it varies from person to person. We've put together many great penny slots, so skim through the article and see what strikes your fancy - this list of top penny slots will have your new favourite on it.