How to win on penny slots at casinos
PENNY slots are ideal for players with a small budget. However, winning anything significant is difficult due to the smaller stake, payouts and RTP. You can take steps to boost your chances of winning from penny slots.
My guide will outline how penny slots work and where they can be played. I will also give my top tips for profiting from this casino game. If you are hoping to win big from just a penny stake per payline, keep reading!
🎰 What are penny slots?
Penny slots are games where you can stake as little as £/$0.01 per spin. Available at land-based and online casinos, penny slots appeal to players who don’t wish to invest too much of their own money. The nature of penny slots means that payouts are small. In my experience, they come with an RTP of around 85%.
Historically, penny slots featured just one payline. Nowadays, I have enjoyed penny slots with as many as 50. I recommend penny slots to casual gamblers in particular. However, I have found that you need to bet on all lines with some penny slots. This increases the stake significantly.
🤑 How to play and win on penny slots
Like other casino games, penny slots are a game of chance. Despite this, there are some tips that I can share with you to help you play smarter. Wondering how to win at slots? Below, I have looked at some of the things to consider when playing penny slots:
- Rules and features
- Volatility
- Gambling budget
- Responsible gambling
- Progressive jackpots
- Casino bonuses
- RTP
- Max bet
1. Understand all the rules and features
I suggest you start by mastering the rules of penny slots first. Consider available symbols and winning combinations. Can you win the jackpot without betting on all paylines? How do I trigger bonus features? Before placing your first bet on a penny slot, you must answer these questions.
2. Mind the slot volatility
You will also benefit from looking at the volatility and RTP of a penny slot. Volatility refers to how often the slot pays out. RTP is the amount of money returned to players from bets. In an ideal world, I would look for a penny game with low volatility and a high RTP. This way, you can expect regular wins, which will not cost you a fortune.
3. Adhere to your gambling budget
The most experienced and successful gamblers will tell you sticking to your budget is a must. So, I advise you to set a spending limit before getting started. Remember that you should only bet what you can afford to lose. I never recommend chasing losses, as this often leads to more money going to the casino. Penny slots should be a form of entertainment first and foremost.
4. Be a responsible gambler
Part of winning at penny slots is knowing when to quit. I take regular breaks when playing penny slots and other casino games. It is good to take your mind away from gambling for a while. Once you feel re-energised, you can return. I suggest using the time away to reconsider your strategy too.
5. Use progressive penny slots
It is possible to find penny slots with progressive jackpots. I enjoy jackpot slots because part of each bet placed contributed towards the jackpot prize. The jackpot will only stop when a lucky player triggers it. If you are playing, you can potentially walk away with a big win.
6. Don’t sleep on penny slots bonuses
I always look out for the bonus features of penny slots. There are several ways to trigger them. You can earn free spins and multipliers, which boost your chances of winning big. Casino sites featuring penny slots also offer bonuses. There are deals for new and existing customers. I suggest reading the terms and conditions before signing up. Some key points are wagering requirements, eligible games, payment restrictions, and expiration. Among the promotions I enjoy taking advantage of are deposit bonuses, no deposit bonuses, free spins, reload bonuses and cashback.
7. Check RTP before playing
The higher the return to player (RTP) of a penny slot, the more money you will win. While this is just an average percentage, it gives you a good idea of which games suit you best. In my experience, you can easily locate the RTP on the slot’s information page.
8. Should you use max bet for penny slots?
Placing the maximum bet on a penny slot is the only way you stand a chance of winning the jackpot. However, I recommend doing what suits you best. Beginners often target penny slots. Remember that controlling your spending is more difficult when betting the maximum amount. Smaller wins quickly mount up, with a smaller stake being less risky.
🏅 Best penny slots casinos
Online slots, including penny titles, can be found on most casino sites in the UK. Having tested them, I am in a good position to deliver the best penny slots casinos. When ranking casinos, I consider the range of penny slots and which providers they come from. Available bonuses and payment methods also matter. These are my top 3 penny slots casinos:
🏆 What are the best penny slots to play?
There are hundreds of penny slots available. However, because of their jackpots, bonus features, entertainment and mobile access, it is these that I have ranked as the best:
Why do I like playing penny slots in casinos?
There are multiple reasons why I enjoy playing penny slots. If you are unwilling to risk large amounts of money, penny slots are for you. Penny slots are affordable to all. I also like that I can bet on more paylines, which boosts my chances of winning.
You can still win the jackpot when betting pennies on progressive jackpot games. The amount up for grabs increases with each bet placed.
Many penny slots come with demo modes. This means that you can play for free. Ideal for beginners, I use this form of playing to learn the rules of a slot first. You can still get the same buzz, whether playing for free or with a small stake.
How to find the right penny slot for you
Has what I have written convinced you that penny slots are worth playing? If so, then you must now decide which games to play. As I mentioned above, RTP, volatility, min/max bets and bonus features all play a part. You should also look at the theme, whether history, sports, TV/movies, music or something else. Pick a penny slot that suits your budget and strategy. Some providers stand out for penny slots. NetEnt and Play’n GO are among my favourites.
🙋 FAQ about penny slots
1. Is there a trick to penny slots?
My top tricks for playing penny slots include gradually increasing the stake. If you want larger payouts, I recommend betting the maximum coin value. No strategy guarantees success. However, I suggest spending time to find the penny slot that is best for you.
2. What penny slots pay the best?
The number of penny slots continues to increase. Based on my experience, I recommend Book of Dead, Starburst and Divine Fortune. There are hundreds of others to choose from. The best penny slot for you will be the one that meets your strategy.
3. Can you win big on penny slots?
Yes. It is untrue that you need to spend big to win on penny slots. Of course, your chances of winning the jackpot improve if you meet the maximum bet. However, I have seen many players win big from just a penny stake. There is no need to worry about rigged slots with my recommended casinos. Penny slots are very popular today. They will appeal to beginners in particular. Check out my top-rated penny slot casinos today and start playing.
About the author
James Fuller
James is an experienced copywriter with over a decade’s worth of experience in the casino industry. He is an avid sports fan, following football, tennis, Formula 1 and golf in particular.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare –
- Gamble Aware –
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
