High vs Low Denomination Slots

When it comes to slots strategy you won't find any topic that is debated more than payout percentages. Of course, finding slot machines with the highest paybacks makes a lot of sense and is the easiest way for you to increase your winnings when playing this popular casino game but there are also disadvantages to playing slots with high payout rates.

One such drawback is that in order to take advantage of favourable payout percentages you generally need to wager more per spin. This means that if you play a slot with a 96% payout rate you'll have to wager $1 or more per spin to qualify for that payback. Due to this fact, most slots players find themselves taking one of two stances when it comes to playing slots which we will discuss below.

Bankroll Conservation by playing Low Denomination Slot Machines

If you want to extend your slots play then bankroll management is extremely important. If your bankroll is limited then option for lower coin denomination games will definitely help you to make your money go further.

The disadvantage of playing lower denomination slots however is that you will have to settle for lower payouts. Obviously the casino is not making as much money from players playing penny slots or a nickel per spin so the house edge on lower denomination games is higher. Whether you play at a land based or online casino you will generally encounter payout rates of 88% to 92% on these types of slot machines.

Despite this, penny, nickel and quarter slot machines are still an attractive proposition if you only have a limited bankroll. They are also great if you are just a casual gambler who doesn't want to risk losing too much. The advantage of playing low denomination slots is evident when doing the gambling math.

For the sake of example we will use two scenarios:

  1. You play 100 spins on a slot machine with a 95% payout rate where a minimum of $1 is bet and you lose $5 on average (100 x 1 x 0.05)
  2. You play 100 spins on a slot with a 90% payout rate where you can bet a minimum of $0.01 and you lose an average of 10 cents (100x 0.01 x 0.10)

As you can see in the above example, you may face worse payout rates when paying low denomination slots but you will at least get more out of your slots experience as your bankroll will go a whole lot further.

Increasing your winning potential with High Denomination Slots

Playing slots with high payout percentages does mean that you may end up spending more money for less slots play time. If however you are as serious gambler you will see these types of machines as an opportunity to get the most value out of every euro/dollar/pound that you wager.

If you consider the above examples high denomination slots may result in a $5 loss per 100 spins but it is also a nickel less per dollar wagered. For this reason, some slots enthusiasts recommend that even when playing with a limited bankroll, you should just play a few less spins on a high denomination machine rather than playing a low denomination one.

Another argument is that more expensive slot machines have higher jackpots and progressive jackpots and if you hit these the payouts are life changing. If you're someone who dreams of being the next slots millionaire then this is a very important point and even though these jackpots are few and far between, someone does eventually have to win them and that adds a thrill to the game that money just can't buy.

In addition when playing high denomiation machines, you can put a number of advantage play methods for slots into action to further maximise you winnings.

After considering both schools of thought on the matter, you'll definitely have something to think about when it comes to your own slots play. Ultimately it all boils down to your unique player personality and whether you would rather play for longer periods with smaller payouts or for a shorter time with the potential for huge wins. Only you will know what is best suited to you!