We get a lot of questions about slot machine denominations, what they are, and what their role in slots are. The concept is simple, but aside from going over that we’ll also share a few things to know as a player around denominations.
The denomination on a slot machine is what a single credit is worth. On a penny denomination slot machine, that credit is worth a penny. On a quarter denomination machine, it’s worth a quarter. Easy enough, right?
Denominations don’t have to match what types of coins and bills are out there – odd denominations like 2 cent, 3 cent and 20 cent exist on some games, even though you won’t find a 20 cent coin in your pocket or at the bank.
If you want to know how much money is in the machine, you can multiply the denomination by the amount of credits. Or, on many slots, tap the credits number and watch it magically switch to cash – it’ll do the math for you!
Nowadays, many slot machines are multi-denomination machines. You can select which denomination you wish to play. On some games, switching the denomination can also change the number of lines available to win on. This can have an impact on volatility because having fewer lines reduces the chances you’ll win on a given spin, but tends to yield a better payout when it happens.
As a general rule, higher denomination machines have an overall better payback percentage than lower denomination games. This goes back to a traditional structure on casino floors that sees the payback percentage increase a bit for each denomination step up – nickel denomination paying better than penny denomination, quarters paying better than nickels, and so on. This bears out in publicly reported payback information across a variety of states that share this data with players, such as in Nevada, New Jersey and Connecticut.
So the denomination effectively tells you how much a credit is worth. Higher denomination machines often (but not always) tend to have higher bets, so it’s also a helpful indicator of how much that machine will cost per spin.
I cannot play high limits, I have a fixed income with high expenses. Medicine robs me. I never played higher than $4.50 on a slot, and $10.00 on roulette. 21 is less rewarding than others and I tell too much on poker. I like 5 cent machines and a few quarters. Been laid up for a while now. Had heart problems and amputation of some toes with abnormal blood and foot wounds. I love thé casino action and hope to get back out there soon. Your game play fills my days better than tv. One thing, I like seeing the bet made and the amount won, but sometimes you spin again before a small win is even recognized and awarded as you rush through a game. I know time restraints press you, especially near the end of a recording session. But I hope you get all that is coming to you. As the French say, Bonne Chance! Good Luck!
Thanks for watching, and reading, Ed! We hope you can make it back out there soon as well!
Hi Brian, I have been reading your information Q and A’s (thanks), and have come to the final answer that betting is all pure luck. Is this a general correct assumption? Love going to the casino’s to play the slots but also enjoy you, slot queen and slot hubby each day in my living room. Hope to get to another group spin with you some day! You make it fun, no matter if you win or lose. Only play with $ I can afford to lose. My adult entertainment! Good luck to you all!
You’ve got the right idea, Lynn – slots are not a skill-based endeavor, so it really is all about the timing you push that button and the outcome that occurs when you do!
Does it matter on a penny slot if you play 2.25 on pennies or 2.25 on nickles? Or is a penny slot a penny slot?
Hey Lilly – there can be differences based on denomination choice. Here’s an article that walks through what can change with a denomination change:
https://fliptheswitch.com/whats-the-difference-with-same-bets-different-denomination/
I absolutely love going to the casino, but my adult daughter gets angry every time I go. She says I’m just throwing money away it seems the casinos have tightened up and I do lose more often than not. How do I convince my daughter to not get so angry, and be happy that her dear old mother is getting out of the house and enjoying myself?
Thanks for the question Margaret! We posted a reply here:
https://fliptheswitch.com/are-you-wasting-your-money-at-the-casino/