When you’re playing slot machines you have to remember that cheaper machines are programmed to give the house a bigger edge. That’s because the casino has to make up for the profit they lose because you’re gambling with a smaller amount of money. A $5 slot machine offers slot players a better payback percentage because the casino makes more money on their bets. That’s why penny slot machines usually offer a much lower payback percentage than high dollar slots.
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Playing slot machines online is pretty much the same story. The higher the credit cost, the better your edge against the house. Since online slot machines are probably the simplest online casino game you’ll find, it’s often the first game people try out with online gaming.
Getting Started with Penny Slot Machines
If you’re looking to play penny slot machines online, you’ll have to start by choosing an online casino to register at and play slots on. The best way to pick an online slot gaming site is to find the site that offers the best bonuses and rewards for slot players.
Choosing a specific slot machine to play online is a bit easier. Like in a traditional casino, you should pick a machine that you understand how to play, that offers a good payback percentage for your investment, and that has an advantageous pay table.
You start playing by clicking the “bet” button. Some online slots have this button labeled “insert money” or “place bet.” You’ll eventually learn the ins and outs of the particular machine you play over time.
Now you have to choose your bet amount. If you’re an expert slot player, you know that the best strategy is to always bet the maximum number of credits. That way you get the best possible payout for jackpots. You can select the bet maximum option by clicking a button labeled “bet max” or “bet maximum.” Once you’ve chosen a betting amount (and with online penny slot machines, you should ALWAYS bet max), double-check to make sure you’ve made the right choice.
Ready to play your online penny slot? Find the button labeled “spin” or something like that, and you’ll find out if you’ve won. Like traditional slot machines, you can check your overall progress by clicking on the icon that reads “winner paid.” This will tell you how you’ve done at your slot over time. Sick of the machine you’re playing? Switching machines online is even easier than switching at the casino . . . find the option that says something like “switch machine” and you can have your pick of the other machines available on the site.
Learning to Play Online Penny Slot Machines
Any casino game has its learning curve, and though penny slots are some of the least complicated games on the floor they still require some experience to fully master.
The most difficult part of playing penny slot machines is learning the ins and outs of the various online penny slot machine games. There are countless penny slot designs and various categories of online slot machines on top of that. Online slot machines come in seven basic varieties: classic, progressive, bonus, multipliers, bonus multipliers, 5-reel machines, and multi pay line slot machines. Some of the differences between these machines are subtle, with just a few more or less pay lines, a different lineup of special offers, and a variety of betting amounts and extra games. But to online slot players, these subtle differences make a world of difference in their betting and playing style.
Generally, penny slot machines don’t come in more complex varieties. It is difficult to find a true progressive penny slot, for example. Progressive slots let you bet your way into a jackpot that gets progressively larger as more players pay into it. There are a few progressive penny slots, though once you add in the cost of the progressive bet; it’s no longer a true “penny slot.”
Because of these differences, online slot players need to study and learn about the different types of slots available to play online, and play as many online slots as possible to become familiar with the different wagering and strategy styles. Learn to follow the rules, read the fine print, and read payback percentages and pay tables before you put money into any online machine, the same as you would do in traditional casinos.
Online Penny Slot Machine Special Offers and Bonuses
One of the only ways to make long-term slot machine play profitable is to take advantage of bonuses and special offers. Like joining the slot machine club at a bricks and mortar casino, joining an online slot site that offers bonuses to slots players makes your time at the online penny slots more fun and more lucrative.
Some online slot machine sites match a portion of your betting amount as a bonus, similar to the way they have cash back programs for poker players or other bonuses for casino gamers. If you can get into one of these programs, you’ll cut your losses and be able to play a larger variety of slot machines for a longer period of time. Just like in the casino, remember to cash out of a machine before you switch over.
Playing online penny slot machines has its own set of strategies, and there are plenty of sites offering tips and even “can’t-lose” guides to winning. Go ahead and read all you want, but take the advice with a large grain of salt. Your best bet at playing online penny slots profitably is to take advantage of bonuses, play machines that offer you the best edge and payouts, set a gambling limit and bankroll, and play only when you’re sober and in a good mood. Slot gaming is supposed to be fun, so if you find yourself getting angry, step away from the keyboard.
