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Video Slots are the result of technological and chronological progress that made classic slot machines go online. The primary difference was the video effects were then added to the gameplay. Penny slots allow players to bet a minimum of 1 cent per line, thus becoming smallest investing slot type. Progressive slots. Easy no-download video poker! Jacks or Better, Bonus, Double Double, Deuces, Joker Poker, total of 17 variations plus perfect play trainer.
Introduction
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When it comes to gambling, the easier a game is to understand the worse the odds usually are. This is certainly the case with slot machines. Playing them is as easy as pressing a button. However, between the high house edge and fast rate of play, there is no quicker way to lose your money in a casino.
How They Work
Whether you're playing a 3-reel single-line game or a 5-reel 25-line game, the outcome of every bet is ultimately determined by random numbers. The game will choose one random number for each reel, map that number onto a position on the reel, stop the reel in the appointed place, and score whatever the outcome is. In other words, the outcome is predestined the moment you press the button; the rest is just for show. There are no hot and cold cycles; your odds are the same for every spin on a given machine.
Slot machines are just about the only game in the casino where the odds are not quantifiable. In other words, the player doesn't know how the game was designed, so it is difficult to look at an actual game to use as an example. So, to help explain how they work, I created the Atkins Diet slot machine (link). It is a simple, five-reel game with a free spin bonus round, much like IGT's Cleopatra game.
For information on how it works and all the odds, please visit my Atkins Diet par sheet.
For a more complicated example, featuring sticky wilds in the bonus, please try my Vamos a Las Vegas slot machine.
For information on how it works and all the odds, please visit my Vamos a Las Vegas par sheet (PDF).
Odds
The following table shows the casino win for Clark County Nevada (where Las Vegas is) for all slots for calendar year 2012. They define 'slot' as any electronic game, including video poker and video keno. I've found video keno to be about equally as tight as reeled slots, but video poker has a much higher return. So, the return for reeled slots should be higher than these figures.
Clark County Slot Win 2012
Denomination | Casino Win (pct) |
---|---|
$0.01 | 10.77% |
$0.05 | 5.96% |
$0.25 | 5.74% |
$1.00 | 5.64% |
$5.00 | 5.51% |
$25.00 | 3.97% |
$100.00 | 4.73% |
Megabucks | 12.89% |
Multi-denomination | 5.32% |
Total | 6.58% |
Source: Nevada Gaming Control Board, Gaming Revenue Report for December 2012 (PDF, see page 6).
Most players play penny video slots. Based on past research, I find the house edge on those to usually be set from 6% to 15%. In general, the nicer the casino, the tighter the slots.
Advice
While there is no skill to playing slots, there is some skill in selecting which machine to play and ways you can maximize your return. Aladdins gold casino no deposit bonus 2016. What follows is my advice, if you must play slots at all.
- Always use a player card. Slots may be a lousy bet, but the casinos treat slot players very well. A $1 slot player will probably get comped better than a $100 blackjack player. Of course, don't play for the reason of getting comps. You'll give them a lot more than they'll give you.
- The simpler the game, the better the odds. The fancy games with big signs and video screens tend to not pay as well as the simple games. However, slot players always tell me the fancy games are more fun.
- The higher the denomination, the better the odds. For that reason, it is better to play one coin per line on a 5-cent game than five coins per line on a 1-cent game.
- Don't forget to cash out and take your ticket when you leave. It is easy to forget after hitting a jackpot.
- Try to play slowly and as little as possible to get your fix.
- In some games there is a skill feature, like Top Dollar. In such games, advice is usually offered, which you should take.
Myths and Facts
Just about everything that players believe about slots is untrue. Here are the most common myths and facts.
- Myth: Slot machines are programmed to go through a cycle of payoffs. Although the cycle can span thousands of spins, once it reaches the end the outcomes will repeat themselves in exactly the same order as the last cycle.Fact: This is not true at all. Every spin is random and independent of all past spins.
- Myth: Slot machines are programmed to pay off a particular percentage of money bet. Thus, after a jackpot is hit the machine will tighten up to get back in balance. On the other hand, when a jackpot has not been hit for a long time it is overdue and more likely to hit.Fact: As just mentioned, each spin is independent of all past spins. That means that for a given machine game, the odds are always the same. It makes no difference when the last jackpot was hit or how much the game paid out in the last hour, day, week, or any period of time.
- Myth: Machines pay more if a player card is not used.Fact: The mechanism that determines the outcome of each play does not consider whether a card is used or not. The odds are the same with or without one.
- Myth: Using a player card enables the casino to report my winnings to the IRS.Fact: That makes no difference. If you win $1,200 or more they will report it either way. If you have a net losing year, which you probably will, at least the casino will have evidence of it. Such annual win/loss statements may be used as evidence to declare offsetting loses to jackpot wins.
- Myth: The slot department can tighten my game with the press of a button remotely. Thus, you better be nice to the staff and tip them well, or they will use a remote control to have the machine take you down in a hurry.Fact: There is now some truth to the myth that the odds of a machine can be changed remotely. Such 'server-based slots' are still experimental and in a minority. Even with server-based slots, there are regulations in place to protect the player from the perceived abuses that could accompany them. For example, in Nevada a machine can not be altered remotely unless it has been idle for at least four minutes. Even then, the game will display a notice that it is being serviced during such changes. (source) Meanwhile, for the vast majority of slots, somebody would physically need to open the machine and change a computer chip, known as an EPROM chip, to make any changes.
- Myth: The machines by the doors and heavy traffic flow areas tend to be loose while those hidden in quiet corners tend to be tight.Fact: I've studied the relationship between slot placement and return and found no correlation. Every slot director I've asked about this laughs it off as just another player myth.
- Myth: Slots tend to be looser during slow hours on slow days of the week. However, when the casino is busy they tighten them up.Fact: Nobody would take the trouble to do this, even if he could. The fact of the matter is the casinos are trying to find a good balance between winning some money while letting the player leave happy. That is best achieved by slots loose enough to give the player a sufficiently long 'time on device,' as they call it in the industry, with a reasonable chance of winning so he will return to the same casino next time. If the slots are too tight, the players will sense it and be unlikely to return.The kind of place you're likely to find tight slots are those with a captive audience, like the Las Vegas airport. So, if the slot manager feels that 92% is the right return for a penny game, for example, he is likely to set every penny game all that way, and keep them that way for years.
Play
Play Free Video Slot Machines
Atkins Diet
Analysis
Vamos a Las Vegas
Analysis (PDF).
Australian Reels — One Line
Analysis (PDF)
Australian Reels — Five Line
Analysis
21 Bell
Analysis
Fruit Machine
Analysis
Reviews
- Dazzle Me (NetEnt)
- Mr. Vegas (Betsoft)
- Sparks (NetEnt)
Internal Links
- Appendix 1 shows the details and analysis of almost 4000 actual spins on a Reno slot machine.
- Appendix 2 shows an example of the virtual reels behind a hypothetical slot machine and how the average return is calculated.
- Appendix 3A: 2003 Las Vegas slot machine rankings.
- Appendix 3B: 2002 Jean/Primm slot machine rankings.
- Appendix 3C: 2002 Tunica slot machine rankings.
- Appendix 3D: 2002 Henderson/Lake Mead slot machine rankings.
- Appendix 3E: 2002 Quarter and dollar returns for Las Vegas slots
- Appendix 4 shows how the return is calculated for my Wizard's Fruit Slot Machine.
- Appendix 5 analysis of the 21 Bell Slot Machine.
- Appendix 6 Analysis of Red, White, & Blue Slot Machine.
- Lock and Roll analysis of the skill-based slot machine found in North Carolina.
- Deconstructing Jackpot Party analysis of the video slot machine.
- Deconstructing Lion's Share analysis of the classic MGM progressive game.
- Deconstructing Megabucks.
- Deconstructing the Atkins Diet slot machine.
- Analysis of Lucky Larry's Lobstermania.
- Deconstructing Hexbreaker.
- Deconstructing Blazing Sevens.
- Deconstructing Lionfish.
- Deconstructing Hot Roll.
- Mystery progressives on Ainsworth slots.
- Mystery progressives on WMS slots.
- Baltimore Sun article, in which I am quoted.
- 100% Rebate on Slot Losses Promotions: When to quit playing when all losses are refunded.
External Links
- For a simplified explanation of slots, please see my companion site Wizard of Vegas
- German translation of this page is available at richtigspielen.com
- Another decent overview of how slots work and some practical advice for playing them is How Slot Machines Work at VegasClick.com.
- PAR Sheets, probabilities, and slot machine play: Implications for problem and non-problem gambling by Kevin A. Harrigan and Mike Dixon, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. This is an outstanding academic paper that details how some popular slot machines were designed.
- PAR Sheets, probabilities, and slot machine play: Implications for problem and non-problem gambling - Academic paper based on the par sheets for some modern slot machines
Written by:Michael Shackleford
No fuss, no restrictions, no limits… It seems that when slot game starts we forget about everything that distracts us from such joyful symbols spinning on the reels and presenting us amazing awards. But time is money… our money we spend on slots. To keep on playing you need some cash to buy coins and this time penny slots help you a lot. Playing slot machines with $0.01 coin size available you can have a good time within several hours or days even with small budget.
Best Penny Slot Video Games
To choose penny slot that also brings you some cash you can with our help. The list of penny slots is endless, so let’s try to figure out some other features you should pay attention to while making a choice. Number of paylines, number of coins per line as well as the prizes available influence your decision. Decide what options are the best for you to play and sort out the penny slots taking into consideration this data.
Penny Slot Software
Software is the other thing worth your attention. Some casino software providers accept USA players (Rival, RTG, Vegas Technology), others don’t allow to play the dwellers of this country (Microgaming, Playtech). Quantity of games as well as the number of penny slots differ for each platform. Graphics, game heroes, bonus features, prizes as well as options provided. All these are created to present different worlds of gambling to choose from.
Microgaming Penny Slots
Microgaming is a leader that offers you the greatest collection of slots that includes over 300 games. Yes, there are really a lot of things to choose from. Of course, not all slot machines are penny, however, their number is really impressive. Dragon Lady, CashOcinno, Reel Gems, Mad Dash or Queen of the Jungles. Choose any of these Microgaming penny slots and enjoy free spins with multipliers as well as bonus games.
RTG Penny Slots
Actually, almost all multiline RTG slots are represented with penny coin size. They are quite simple to play, because as a rule, you can play with 1 coin per line only. Thus, you should only choose paylines to play with. However, your win also will be multiplied by $0.01 only. So, try to hit better winning combinations at once.
Playtech Penny Slots
Marvelous and breathtaking Playtech slots also can be appreciated by those who don’t want to spend a lot on their entertainment. Elektra, Daredevil, A Night Out, Fire Hawk and Captains Treasure slots represent only some games of the decent collection available. Try these bright slots with amazing graphics and win more.
Rival Penny Slots
Classic, multiline or modern i-slots. Rival offers you to enjoy any type of slot machines. What is more, its penny slots can be appreciated by USA players. Try to create your own storyline with such penny i-slots as Reel Crime, Scary Rich 2, Cosmic Quest Episode Two, As the Reels Turn 3. Adventures and romantic stories, pursuit and luxurious life, perfect robbery and dangerous cosmic journey. What is your choice to spend penny on?
Vegas Technology Penny Slots
Play snowballs with Winter Wonderland, look for generous snowman with Big Foot, find safe full of money playing Beat the Bank, enjoy beauty of underwater world with Mermaids Quest. There are really a lot of imaginary worlds to dive in and enjoy the atmosphere of real game with real prizes… just for penny.
How To Choose
Note that even playing penny slot you will spend more per spin. To increase your chances to win you can play with more paylines activated that can be up to 25 or more. Some penny slots also allow you to bet more than one coin per line. In other words, count the minimum coins allowing you to cover all paylines and find out the maximum bet in coins to know your limits.
USA Penny Slot Machines
![Slot Slot](https://cdn001.cakecentral.com/gallery/2015/03/900_742353rGWy_slot-machine-cake.jpg)
Rival, RTG and Vegas Technology. These are software providers all USA players should look for in case they want to play safe and get their winnings for sure. Read all the terms and conditions attentively deciding to get some bonus to play penny slots and choose the best games only.
No Download Penny Slot Machines
Want to play immediately without installing special software on your computer? No download penny slot machines can be the best choice for you in this case. However, note that not all games are available in flash format. For example, RTG offers you only several slots in no download format. Thus, to appreciate all the options provided try download version.
Youtube Penny Slots
Bonus Penny Slot Machines
New Penny Slots Youtube
Free Spins, multipliers, expanding wild symbols and exciting bonus games. All these available for players who prefer penny slots. Thus, choosing such slots you also can appreciate various bonus features to win more cash. However, note that with small bets you also win not so impressive prizes… but still you can play longer. So, what is the best for you?