When you’re playing slots, either in a casino or online, you may see it described as being a certain denomination. Alternatively, it may be described as a multiple denomination machine. You could be forgiven for ignoring this information and just placing your bet (maybe by pressing the ‘Max Bet’ button) so that you can start playing.
However, in fact, it’s worth knowing what denomination your machine is set to if you want to get the best value for money when playing slots.
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What is Denomination?
Denomination is a financial term. It refers to the amount of money that a particular bill or coin represents. If you are changing money, and the cashier asks if you want your notes in ones, 10s, or 20s, then they are asking you what denomination you want it in. The same goes for coins.
The idea of a machine having a particular denomination goes back to the days of the old one-armed bandits in bars and clubs that would only accept a particular coin. If you wanted to play, you had to get change: usually single cents for penny slots, or nickels and dimes for bigger-denomination machines.
Today, when we’re as likely to place a bet by transferring money from our digital accounts, denomination describes how many credits you get for your money.
Denomination vs. Credit
A credit is the unit of value used to bet on each spin. When you start playing, you’ll see that you have a certain number of credits, and you decide how many of these to bet on each spin. If you win, the number of credits goes up. If you lose, it goes down. However, the denomination decides how much each credit is actually worth.
So, on a penny slot with a denomination of 1c, a credit is worth 1c. If the denomination is a dollar, then that is how much a single credit is worth. Multiple denomination machines let you set the denomination in advance. High-rolling slots can set the denomination in hundreds of dollars, though in most cases, it is less than $1.
Keep Track of Your Money
If you’re on a budget, then a smaller-denomination slot will make your money go further. You can compare and contrast different online slots at We Rate Slots. However, remember that although you may have more credits, you won’t get a bigger payout, as the credits are worth less than on a higher-denomination machine.
It’s definitely worth knowing what denomination you’re playing in, as this allows you to keep track of how much you’re betting and how much money you have left to play with. Simply multiply the number of credits by the denomination to see your bankroll in real-cash terms.
Maximizing Your Chances
Betting the maximum amount, known as Bet Max or Max Bet, is recommended as it gives you the best chance of winning a large payout, and may be necessary to access progressive jackpots and other features. You should always understand the denomination you’re using before pressing the Max Bet button, however.
While denomination is a straightforward concept, it can have significant consequences and is too often overlooked. Being aware, and choosing the denomination that suits your requirements, is the mark of a capable slots player.
