For example, when a bet is set at €/£/$10 per spin, this means that winning big is possible, but so is losing big, whereas playing penny slots and having the same amount to spend, you will stay much longer in the game if you bet just €/£/$0,01.

My goal when playing a slot machine is to win a jackpot. (The jackpot is the top prize on a machine.)

There’s a thrill involved in winning a big prize that doesn’t compare with what other lower-prize games offer. But I’m also keenly aware that I’m not a net winner.

Sure, I’ve hit a few large jackpots. But I’m absolutely certain that I’ve lost enough money both before and after those jackpots that I’m a net loser over time.

There’s not much you can do to avoid that fate, because that’s how slot machines work. They’re negative expectation games. If they weren’t, the casinos wouldn’t offer them. Casinos are inbusiness to make money, and they do that by offering games where they have a mathematical edge over the player.

Inevitably, players WILL win some of the time. They’ll just lose most of the time.

Confirmation bias often encourages players to think they’re winning more often than they thought. I can’t count how many people I’ve met who were absolutely convinced that they were “about even”over the course of their slot machine playing career.

In fact, if every player I knew were really “about even,” I’m convinced that the casinos wouldn’t still be in business.

But it’s also undeniable that some slot machines are looser than others. (A “loose” slot machine game is one which pays out more than a “tight” slot machine. It’s a vague word that can beevaluated in multiple ways, as I’ll explain in the next section.)

This is the first part in a new series we are running on how you can get the most from your online slots play.

It is true to say that the odds are set against you when you play a slot machine, but at the same time, you can improve your chance of winning. This allows you to get more fun from your money and a bigger chance of hitting a jackpot.

How much money can you win on a penny slot machine

When you play in a land-based casino, the big question is how to choose a machine and also, whether to max bet or not. With online slots, the bonus offers are a big factor. We discuss both of those below:

How Much Can You Win On A Penny Slot Machine

Decide Whether to Max Bet or Not

Some slot machines pay out better when you play max bet. For example, on some 3-reel games, if you hit a line of the top-paying symbols you might win (for example) 1,000 credits if you play 1 credit per line.

But, if you had been playing max credits per line (for example, 3 credits), then the top win might rise to 10,000.

In this type of example, you should play max bet, because if you hit that top winning line, you stand to win a lot more than you would otherwise

With other games, it makes no difference whether you max bet. For example, most video slots pay out the same, no matter how many credits per line you play.

One exception with video slots, is when there is a progressive jackpot. If you play a game like Wizard of Oz, which has a big progressive, you can only win if you play max bet. The max bet is usually $3 or $4 per spin, so you need quite a lot of money to play, but you get much better odds when you max bet.

If you don't have enough to max bet, then I would say it is better to choose a slot with a lower domination that does not have a progressive.

So, if you like penny slots, search for a jackpot you can win without max bet

Decide if a Bonus is Good for You (or not)

With online casinos, you will nearly always be offered the chance to take up one of their 'free cash' bonuses.

With a free cash bonus, the casino will match you initial deposit. for example, if you deposit $100, they will give you an extra $100, so you will start your play with a total of $200 (this is a 100% bonus)

Take a look at the latest list of Bonus Offers for Online Slots

Other casinos go further than that - some will offer 200%, 300% or even 400% bonuses. With a 400% bonus, if you deposit $100, you will get $400 extra, meaning that you get to play with $500 in total.

Terms and Conditions

Of course, all casino bonuses come with terms and conditions. If you take a 'free cash' bonus, the casino will expect you to actually play with the money. If they didn't enforce a minimum play rule, then people would just take the cash and run!

How Much Can You Win On Penny Slot Machines

So, with a bonus, you must play through the bonus a certain number of times. Usually, this means you have to play 25x the total (of deposit + bonus) before they will allow you to cash out the winnings.

How To Pick A Winning Slot Machine

These bonuses are fantastic to play jackpot games, because you get so much more chance to hit the big jackpot. To win at slots with jackpots, bonuses are a perfect tool to give you the best odds.

However, bonuses might not be so good for the type of player that just wants to hit a $200 win playing slots and cash out straight away, because of the need to complete a play-through.

Online Slot Machines Win Money

So, you need to decide yourself what type of player you are and then decide whether you will take your bonus offer or not. That will help give you the best chance of winning, depending on what type of win you are going for.