Today we’ll be looking at a question that gives us a great excuse to share a recent conversation we had with our friends at the American Casino Guide Book. We notice through a lot of the questions that come into Flip The Switch that players often don’t realize what is at play when switching denominations. Here’s an example:
When I move from 1 to 2 cent denomination I can still bet the same amount but the minor and etc. double. Darlene S.
So what does and doesn’t matter when switching denominations, for instance? First, for those who prefer to watch our conversation, here’s our video conversation with them on the subject:
What Does Matter When Changing Denominations
When it comes to slot machines, casinos generally believe that higher denomination play will lead to higher average bet levels. This is an assumption that goes back to the early days of penny and nickel denomination machines where you could play 9 cents a spin on penny denomination, whereas quarters would start at 75 cents.
So, you would see a general increase in the long term payback percentage data reported as each step up was taken. Nickels paid a bit better than pennies, quarters paid a bit better than nickels, and so on.
However, nowadays most slots are multi-denomination machines, meaning there can be many different options for that on a single game. But casinos still have the opportunity to set paybacks for each denomination level – each is effectively treated as its own game.
Not all casinos will set higher denominations on these machines to pay back higher, but many will. And as such, if your budget allows you to play a higher denomination with the same bet size, it’s generally a good idea, since you would generally expect a better payback percentage in the long term. That might not bear out in a single session, but in the long term, it will.
What is Less Likely to Matter When Changing Denominations
Let’s start with that example of the Minor. If you’re betting the same amount on different denominations, and the amount of the Mini and Minor are different at the same bet amount, it means your odds of winning them aren’t the same.
Take a Lightning Link/Dragon Link example. The Mini at 1 cent denomination is $10 and the at 2 cent denomination is $20. You don’t get the same chances at the same bet level for those prizes, because the ratio of your bet to the prize is lower. For instance, betting $5 would be a 2x prize at 1 cent but a 4x prize at 2 cent.
Here’s the other thing. If a static jackpot is the same across all bet levels, it likely doesn’t matter. Going back to that example, that 2x prize could easily be written as 1000 credits or Mini – but it’s the same thing. The game maker built that in so players would think the Mini is something more special than a credit prize.
Now, if the prize changes with overall bet, it probably has more meaning within the payout structure of the slot. But that means the prize will be the same on different denominations if your overall bet is the same.
Similarly, your chances of winning a progressive is generally based on your overall bet, so if you’re sticking with the same bet on different denominations, we wouldn’t expect much of a difference there either. The slot’s overall payback percentage improving might see the odds shift just a hair, but not enough to be noticeable given how often these prizes are awarded. Raising your bet will have much more impact than switching denominations.
Takeaway
Your bet size has the most involvement with the chances of winning something like a progressive, relative to other bet levels. Denomination will impact payback in the long term. Calibrating both based on your budget, and what you’re playing for, can help you make good decisions on what slots to play, and what denomination/bet level.
Have a question? Submit yours here!
I’m in a high bracket at my casino. But recently something has changed. In stead of $400 comp the casino is offering me $60. This all happened within a months time. They’ve fired the head man and changed a lot of Benny’s. Should I leave ir stick it out to see where this is going. If the casino wants my money they better consider improving their benefits.
If you’re unhappy with the offers being extended, you’re more than within your right to patronize a casino that values your play more. Sometimes when casinos make drastic changes to benefits, players voting with their wallet can cause them to reconsider those decisions and make further adjustments.