Slots – Lower With Multiple Credits or Higher With One Credit?

Slot machines display the denomination for one bet, for example: penny, nickel, dime, quarter, or dollar. Depending on the game selected, players can bet one, two, three, or more credits. This could amount to over $1 (100 credits) per play on a penny slot. A player could also play $1 (one credit) on a dollar slot – or multiple other combinations of credits on games with other denominations.

Which is better for the player – one credit on a higher denomination game or multiple credits on a lower denomination game? This article explores the differences between these choices.

Contents

1. The current landscape of slot machines
2. How play differs between single credit and multiple credits games 
3. The tradeoffs between one larger credit and multiple lesser credits
4. Summary

The current landscape of slot machines

Slot machines are undoubtedly the cash cow of casino games. They are played by more casino-goers than any other type of game. Slot machines occupy more casino real estate than other games.

Included in the mix of slot games are denominations from one cent to $100 – and possibly higher. The descriptions below are generalities. You may find machines quite different from those described below.

• There are classic slot machines – those that have been around for decades. They are electro-mechanical and are usually available in denominations of 25-cents to $1 on the main casino floor and from $1 to $100 in high-roller rooms. Some of these take coins, but most take currency or paper cashout vouchers. Some are a single denomination, but most allow for switching between the various denominations available on that specific machine. They have one play line through three play lines. Almost all of these allow bets from one to three credits per play line.

• There are low-limit slots – those with denominations from one cent through about 25 cents. They most likely take currency or cashout vouchers – though there are machines available that still take coins. Most of these games are strictly video, but there are still electromechanical machines to be found. They differ from classic slots in a couple of ways. Firstly, they have many play lines – up to 30 or more. Secondly, they allow bets from one to sometimes 30 or so per pay line. The newer slots in this category have even moved away from the line format and moved to electronic images in a column format. It gives a different look – more like video games. This is ostensibly an attempt to attract a younger crowd of gamblers.'

  If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like how to play roulette and roulette wheel numbers.

How play differs between single credit and multiple credit games

Playing a single credit game means betting everything on one single event happening. You have only one line on which the results hinge. There are different types of multiple credit games.

1. Win Multiplier – Each additional credit simply multiplies the amount won on one line – betting two credits doubles the winning amount, betting three credits triples the winning amount, etc.
2. More Winning Symbols – Each additional credit adds winning symbols – usually these symbols have higher pays.
3. More Ways to Win – Each additional credit adds lines (or ways) of winning
4. Combination – each additional credit adds both lines/ways and/or multiplies the winnings

The tradeoffs between one larger credit and multiple lesser credits

Nearly every slot player has only so much money available to gamble when considering slot strategy. With all the choices in games, what is the best way to play – one larger bet or multiple lower bets?

The answer depends somewhat on the type of slot being played.

1. Win Multiplier – There is absolutely no advantage in betting additional credits simply to multiply the wins. The house edge on the slot will, over time, determine how much the player will lose – bet more, lose more. Bet what your bankroll dictates. If your bankroll is adequate to support a larger denomination, bet the larger denomination. Decide how long you would like to play and plan the denomination based on that.
2. More Winning Symbols – When this is the case, always bet the maximum (usually three credits). The additional high-paying winning combinations normally more than make up for the added cost over time. Not only that, imagine how you would feel if that top winning combination came up and it was not activated by the additional bet(s).
3. More Ways to Win – The benefit of additional betting for more ways to win is you will get more wins. The disadvantage is it costs you more. In the long run, the slot will extract the house edge on all the money played through the machine. Because you are betting more, you will lose more – but, there will be more situations where the machine says you win. Consider how much that is worth to you.
4. Combination – These games present a combination of No. 1 and 2. Bumping the winning multiplier by increasing the bet by the equivalent factor means only that you bet more and will lose more just like No. 1 above. Betting more to add ways to win also means that you will lose more. You will score more wins but lose more over time. It may just seem like things are going better. This is a personal decision just like it was for the previous scenario.

Summary

With the huge variety of slot machines available, it may be difficult for the player to decide the best way to bet. Should it be single higher denomination bets or multiple lower denomination bets.

There are so very many options to choose from. Slot machines that add additional winning symbols with added bets should be played at maximum credits. The return percentage will be higher.

In all the other situations, the number of credits bet do not help or hurt the return percentage. You will lose at the rate of the house edge regardless. More money bet means more money lost.

The main thing is to not overplay your bankroll. Choose a denomination where the size of the total bet is comfortable for you – and, most importantly, make sure the bankroll consists of money you can afford to lose.

Follow those rules and your time spent playing slots will be much more enjoyable.