Penny Slots Explained
What are penny slots?
The term ‘penny slots’ refers to slots that can be played for just 1p a spin. Usually, this is only possible on slots that allow a minimum stake of 1p and allow you to adjust the number of active paylines down to one. Remember that some slots might allow a 1p bet per line but the number of lines might not be adjustable.
For example, if you are playing a game with 10 fixed pay lines and the minimum bet is 1p per line, the total stake will be 10p per spin. It is always a good idea to check these details before you commit to any particular title.
How to play penny slots
When playing penny slots online, it always helps to know how the game works and what features it might include. Most games consist of a base game and a bonus round.
The base game is where you will spend most of your time enjoying regular winning combinations that may come as part of your standard pay line mechanic or something more advanced, such as a free spins bonus round.
A bonus round is quite often a free spins feature where you won't have to pay for any spins for the duration. The spins will roll automatically and any wins collected along the way. Once the bonus round is over, winnings are totalled up and added to your balance. Other variations of bonus rounds do exist and they can lead to some brilliant payouts if everything goes your way.
Understand the symbols
Although winning combinations are calculated automatically by the game, it can help to understand the game’s symbols. Some symbols don’t pay much at all, so spotting these before getting too excited might save some disappointment! On the other hand, landing some high paying symbols can really enhance the engagement and excitement of the game.
Choose the right stake
While you might be keen to keep your bets to just 1p, we've seen that this will all depend on the number of pay lines available. If there are 10 lines there for you to use, then you should consider using all of them. One single win line across a 5-reel slot doesn't present a huge chance of hitting a win.
You are right to keep your budget in mind when it comes to playing penny slots, but consider whether you are missing out on key features of the game that make it more enjoyable.
Spin the reels and enjoy
Once you have a good idea about how a 1p slot works and have planned your bankroll spending carefully, it’s time to take the final step and hit the spin button. Enjoy all games in moderation and don’t let playing get in the way of other commitments!
How to win on penny slots
Nobody can guarantee you a win on a new penny slot, nor on any other type of slot. The outcome is down to luck, but that's okay as it means you have just as much chance of hitting a win as anyone else.
To give you the best possible chance of a successful slot session, here are a few things to look out for.
Volatility
The best penny slots will have a number of statistics that you can check out before you play, and one of the most important is the slot volatility. New players tend to enjoy slots with low volatility more as they produce regular wins of a low value that help keep your bankroll intact.
The higher up the volatility scale you go, the less frequent the payouts are and the longer you will have to play for a win. However, when the wins do turn up, they can be pretty significant.
Low stakes, longer sessions
Some seasoned players tend to play for longer periods at lower stakes. The idea is that by spreading their play over several hours they are more likely to hit a lucrative bonus feature before their balance is depleted.
RTP
Another important stat to look out for is the RTP (Return To Player). This figure is the theoretical percentage of winnings paid out to players versus how much is wagered on the game. The RTP is determined by the maths of the game and is only accurately realised over millions of spins, so don't expect it to have an immediate effect on your game.
However, it’s useful to know the RTP is as it shows how much of an advantage the slot site has over the players. A slot with 80% RTP gives the house a 20% edge in the long run. Your aim is to find games that get as close to 100% as possible. The average for penny slots is around 96%.
Check the features
Reel modifiers can transform an ordinary spin into something completely different. Symbols can stack across the reels, multipliers might be added and winning combos can even disappear with new symbols taking their place. All of these variations are possible by playing 1p slots.
Features such as a free spins round or a pick-a-win game are always a welcome sight and your goal should be to get in there as quickly as possible. Read our review of a slot to see exactly what happens when these features and modifiers trigger so you know when to focus and keep your fingers crossed!
Bankroll management
A successful slot session is dependent on good bankroll management. If you throw everything away after 2 minutes, then you won't have a chance to enjoy the game for longer or potentially trigger some of the features on your chosen penny slot. Decide in advance what your limit is and stick to it to sustain longer gameplay that could be more rewarding in the long run.
Pros and cons of penny slots
Now that you know how to play and win at penny slots, let’s have a quick recap of all the pros and cons…
Pros:
- Low stakes - penny slots allow players to access some of the best games in the industry for small stakes. This makes these top titles accessible to everyone and might also mean you can try several of them out without breaking the bank.
- Great for beginners - with all their features, paylines and advanced mechanics, some slots can be overwhelming for newbies. The thought of risking any amount of cash on a game of chance can seem a little scary at first, so penny slots online are a great place to start. Taking away the worry of any significant financial losses helps keep gambling fun.
- Play them anywhere - all of the slot sites listed on Slot Gods have been vetted by our expert team, so you know that these sites are reliable, trustworthy and full of exciting games. The best part is that you can play the best online slots wherever you are and on virtually any device! This means that you can play penny slots at home in your dressing gown or even whilst commuting on your way to work! There are a wide range of slot sites featuring penny slots out there. You’ll be spoilt for choice with all of the cracking welcome offers available right now.
- Progressive jackpots - huge progressive prizes build up over time as players hit the spin button, and massive slot franchises such as Age of the Gods and Mega Moolah will give you a chance at winning their jackpots for even the minimum stake. Not all jackpot slots will activate the jackpot on minimum bet though.
Cons:
- Often smaller wins - this probably goes without saying, but it is always best to manage your expectations when you play penny slots. Combinations of winning symbols will pay out a multiplier of your total bet, and if that amount is very small, then your prizes will also be small. Winning 10p on a slot might not sound like a lot of money, but when you consider that might be a 10x payout from your total bet, is actually a pretty decent return.
- Limited paylines - the rules on some online penny slots state that there is a minimum number of pay lines in play. If you have to play 25 lines on a penny slot, it will cost you 25p per spin. If this isn't exactly what you're looking for, then it could be advisable to seek out a different title that starts at 10p but allows you to play with over 117,649 ways to win such as 4 Diamond Blues Megaways.
Best penny slots to play
Everyone has their own favourite penny slot title. Even seasoned players have their favourites which can include penny slots. Let's take a look at a few of the best penny slots out there and see if there is a game that appeals to you.
1. My Bingo Hall
My Bingo Hall is a fantastic penny slot by the popular slot developer Eyecon. This game has a 5x3 grid with 25 paylines. It is possible to reduce the lines down to just 1 and is available at loads of the best penny slots sites.
The RTP sits nicely at 95.39%, which is just a little under average, but it is a high-variance game so don’t expect to see the wins flooding in all the time. As you can probably imagine, it is set in a bingo hall with some cute design touches that will make bingo and slots fans feel right at home. Look out for wilds, scatters, free spins and a massive 30,000x stake top win.
- Name:
- My Bingo Hall
- Developer:
- Eyecon
- RTP:
- 95.00%
- Max payout:
- 30,000x stake
- Volatility:
- High
- Reels:
- 5
- Win lines:
- 25
- Theme:
- Luxury
- Release date:
- 9th Nov 2021
Play My Bingo Hall at these slot sites...
2. Book of Dead
Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead is one of the most played slots in the UK. It is loosely based on the Indiana Jones movies and is produced by Play'n GO. This 1p slot has a total of 10 adjustable paylines.
The minimum coin size is 1p, and you can reduce the number of paylines to 1, meaning the total minimum stake is also 1p. There are free spins available and a 5,000x stake max win. The RTP comes in at 96.21% and the volatility rating is high.
- Name:
- Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead
- Developer:
- Play'n GO
- RTP:
- 96.21%
- Max payout:
- 5,000x stake
- Volatility:
- High
- Reels:
- 5
- Win lines:
- 10
- Theme:
- Adventure, Egyptian
- Release date:
- 14th Jan 2016
Play Book of Dead at these slot sites...
3. Alice Cooper and the Tome of Madness
Alice Cooper and the Tome of Madness is one of our all-time favourite online slots. It’s fairly dark and macabre, as you would hope, and can be played for only 1p. This title also comes from Play’n GO.
There are loads of features and modifiers to keep players entertained including free spins, mega wilds and cascading symbols.
Expect to see high volatility with a max 3,000x stake win and an above average RTP of 96.20%. This is a must-play slot for all types of players from penny slot enthusiasts to high rollers!
- Name:
- Alice Cooper and the Tome of Madness
- Developer:
- Play'n GO
- RTP:
- 96.20%
- Max payout:
- 3,000x stake
- Volatility:
- High
- Reels:
- 5
- Theme:
- Horror, Music, WTF
- Release date:
- 7th Oct 2021
Play Tome of Madness at these slot sites...
4. Age of the Gods: God of Storms
This penny slot is a real crowd-pleaser with its epic theme and a nice 2,500x stake max payout. The action takes place on a 5x3 reel set with 25 adjustable pay lines and a minimum line bet of 1p, meaning 1p play is possible.
There are free spins on offer along with wild respins and medium volatility in Age of the Gods: God of Storms, which is nice for a penny slot with such a lot to give. If this wasn’t enough, it also includes the epic Age of the Gods Jackpot that can be triggered on any single spin - including the minimum bet!
- Name:
- Age of the Gods: God of Storms
- Developer:
- Playtech
- RTP:
- 96.14%
- Max payout:
- 2,500x stake
- Volatility:
- Low
- Jackpot:
- Age of the Gods Jackpot
- Reels:
- 5
- Win lines:
- 25
- Theme:
- Mythical
- Release date:
- 16th May 2017
Play God of Storms at these slot sites...
5. Madame Clues
Madame Clues is one of the most original and best penny slot ideas out there. Instead of a regular reel set, the game features a crystal ball where one symbol shows up with each spin. You can enjoy free spins, multipliers and a max win of 23,000x stake.
The slot has high volatility, 95.90% RTP, and it could all be yours for just 1p per spin! This is definitely the most unconventional penny slot but that’s what makes it so entertaining to play.
- Name:
- Madame Clues
- Developer:
- Lady Luck Games
- RTP:
- 95.90%
- Max payout:
- 23,040x stake
- Volatility:
- Medium-High
- Reels:
- 1
- Win lines:
- 1
- Theme:
- Magic
- Release date:
- 11th Jan 2022
Play Madame Clues at these slot sites...
