Penny slot machine games encourage the betting on multiple paylines by the players. However, this is the case, while playing in a casino. Free penny slots can be tried with the players online, where they wouldn’t have to pay a penny to entertain themselves. Prior to Telnaes’ invention, slot machines were essentially mechanical devices. Besides being difficult to tune and maintain, mechanical slot machines suffered from an essential problem: Let’s look at a machine with three reels, each with 12 symbols, with one of those 12 symbols a cherry.
Today, the mathematics of slot machines. The University of Houston mathematics department presents this program about the machines that make our civilization run, and the people whose ingenuity created them.
Mathematicians first got interested in randomness by studying games of chance. Ever since, the histories of mathematics and gambling have been intertwined. Clever gamblers use mathematics to look for the smallest advantages, and casinos use sophisticated mathematical tools to devise new ways of drawing in players.
Indeed, a patent granted to the Norwegian mathematician Inge Telnaes in 1984 transformed the gambling industry. Prior to Telnaes’ invention, slot machines were essentially mechanical devices. Besides being difficult to tune and maintain, mechanical slot machines suffered from an essential problem: Let’s look at a machine with three reels, each with 12 symbols, with one of those 12 symbols a cherry. The likelihood of getting three cherries, and winning the jackpot, is 1 in 1,728. If the casino wants to make money, the jackpot payout should be, say $1,700 on a $1 bet. That does not seem attractive by today’s standards. However, the only way to increase the payout is to decrease the chances of hitting a jackpot.
Adding another reel is a possibility. For instance adding a fourth reel in the previous example would get us to a jackpot of about $20,000. But people do not like machines with more reels — they intuitively, and rightfully, feel that extra reels diminish their chance of winning. Another possibility is to put more symbols on each reel. But the astronomical jackpots you see in casinos today would then require truly enormous machines.
Inge Telnaes proposed a simple solution: Let a random number generator — a computer chip — determine the combination of symbols that appear when the reels stop. In other words, use a chip to control where the reels stop on a spin, but create the illusion that the wheels stopped on their own. The number of possible outcomes on the slot machine does not change. However, by reprogramming the chip, the operator has full control over the likelihood of each of the different outcomes. For instance, the operator could make the three cherries appear only once in a million spins.
This was a brilliant insight: Suppose I pick a number between one and a million. Would you be willing to bet that you can guess that number? The answer is probably not. But let a computer chip pick such a number, put the chip in a machine with blinking lights and spinning reels, and many people will be more than willing to make the bet. It is simply because what people assume is happening in a slot machine is very different from what is actually happening.
The Magician oil painting by Hieronymus Boschfrom between 1475 and 1480
The history of gambling is also intertwined with that of a less reputable group — tricksters and swindlers. In the long run, the only sure way to make money by gambling is to create the illusion that your opponent can win, while keeping the odds firmly on your side. And that gives those who know math a very solid advantage.
I'm Krešimir Josić, at the University of Houston, where we're interested in the way inventive minds work.
NOTE: In the example with three cherries, I assumed that one only wins in the case the spin results in three cherries, and there is no other winning combination. In actuality, there are typically many winning combination, and as a result, the jackpot would have to be even smaller.
The following story in Wired Magazine shows the drawbacks of the new generation of slot machines — they are easier to hack and to counterfit than their mechanical counterpart http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/07/ff_scammingslots/.
Here is a more exhaustive discussion of the history of slot machines, and the random number generators within them http://catlin.casinocitytimes.com/article/non-random-randomness-part-1-1243. You may want to scroll towards the end of the article to read about how flaws in the design of gambling machine resulted in somebody picking 19 out of 20 winning numbers in a game of KENO — and doing so 3 times in a row. That person walked away with $620,000, but only after some controversy.
Both images are from Wikipedia. The slot machine image was taken by Jeff Kubina.
For more mathematics in everyday life, visitkjosic.wordpress.com.
This episode was first aired on September 7th, 2011
The Engines of Our Ingenuity is Copyright © 1988-2011 by John H. Lienhard.
When you first hear the words “penny slots”, you immediately think of classic slots and penny slot machines in land-based casinos. Online penny slots got their name because players could bet as low as one penny per spin. This way you could play for a long time without investing a big chunk of money in the slot.
Modern penny slots are online slots that allow low stakes and thus are more affordable from an initial investment point of view. So the penny slots are ideal for Canadian players who are only starting out and don’t want to take too many risks. Casino themed cakes.
If you find yourself in this category, feel free to play some penny slots and give them a try for real money when you feel comfortable.
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How to play Penny Slot Games
Penny slots are slot machines that can be played for low stakes. This way you can play one penny per pay line and you won’t take any big risks.
The playing process is virtually the same as if you played any other slot games, only the stakes are different. Depending on the type of slot, you’ll have to choose a stake and a level and push the Spin button.
Tips to help you win big on penny slots
Many gamblers associate penny slots with ‘low risk and low reward’ gameplay. We don’t mean to be crude, but those gamblers are completely wrong. Employ the right strategy while hitting up the low stake games and you can keep your risk minimal while increasing your chances of a big pay-out.
Of course, not every penny slot strategy that is printed on the internet is a good one. Some are fact and some are fiction, so thankfully for you, we are here to share three simple tips which should increase your chances of winning big.
1. Get a game with a progressive jackpot
Not every penny slot game is created equally! Whether online or offline, it’s important to have your wits about you when choosing a low stake slot machine.
A key question you should be wary of when picking your game is “does this penny slot have a progressive jackpot?” If the answer is “no”, then move on – you are reducing the ways you can win – find a game with a progressive jackpot that will continue to grow while you’re playing. That way you have an extra chance of turning your pennies into a fortune.
2. Multiple types of bonuses are your friend
There are certain games that have free spins, special bonuses and hidden rounds built into them. Surely logic insists that these games are the ones to go for when picking a free penny slot; they’ll be more fun and you have more variety in your gameplay too. Also, free extra spins translate to extra chances to win big.
3. Betting maximum lines is the answer
There are many bonus features that will only be activated if you are betting the maximum bet and the good news is that on a penny slot, the maximum bet will be a relatively low cost to you. Obviously, you may spend a little more than you initially planned, but you’re also giving yourself a chance to win a lot more!
Best Penny Slot Machines
If you play in land-based casinos in Canada, the UK or any other country, there are probably some penny slots still left. Most of them have jackpots attached and that’s the main reason why many players still play them. The first thing that comes to mind is some old granny with a bucket full of pennies playing the one-arm bandits. Modern video slot games require bigger bets because of the bigger number of pay lines. The bets will be bigger but the payouts will also be bigger in return.
There are a lot of great free penny slot machines online which you can try, regardless if you want to play with one pay line or with all pay lines active. One of the most popular slots by Microgaming is Break Da Bank Again. This is a simple 9 pay line slot which you can try with one pay line active. If one gets lucky, he/she can still win big in the bonus round thanks to the x25 multiplier.
Net Entertainment also has this game in their offer by the name of Reel Steel. The slot has the same features and the same payouts. If you want you can try out these two penny slots and see which one you like more. Even with one penny per spin, you can still win big in the bonus round.
Penny Slots FAQ
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How do penny slots work?
Penny slots – slot machines with denominations from 1 cent (“penny”) all the way up to $100.00 or more per credit. They are the best way to play for a longer time. You’ll have greater chances of scoring that enormous progressive jackpot.
What penny slots pay the most?
There are two types of penny slot machines: progressive and non-progressive slots. Progressive slots offer the highest prizes in the online casino world. Non-progressive penny slot machines offer more odds for winning, but fewer prizes & bonuses.
How to play & win penny slot machines?
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- Choose your machine carefully
- Play on slot machines that have a progressive jackpot
- Penny slot machines offer a lot of bonuses – use them to win
- Know your limit – it’s pretty easy to play more and more, but you have to remember the strategy
- Enjoy the game – the only right way to win
What games are more popular?
You can chat, interact and play with other players which is a great bonus that has made online slot machines popular. Or you can read the professional review for Canadian players of the best penny slots on SlotsAdviser and choose which is really fit your strategy and you like the most.