Multiple-Coin and Single Coin Slot Machines

Multiple-coin Slot Machines

Multiple-coin slot machines accept or require more than one coin per play and exist in a variety of configurations. Multiple-coin machines that the industry calls multipliers normally have a single pay line across the reel glass; in other words, winning combinations have to line up on the center line. But, depending on the machine, you can play from one to six or more coins at a time. Most multiplier slot machines today, however, accept either three or five coins maximum per play. The idea is that each additional coin inserted increases proportionately the amount you can win on a payable combination of symbols.

Where does the multiplier idea fit in? Often, but not always, a bonus amount is paid if you win on the highest jackpot symbols usually 7s provided that the maximum number of coins the machine will accept were inserted.

If you are playing a three-reel, three-coin quarter multiplier and you line up three bars, here's what you might win. With only one quarter played, the machine would pay 50 quarters, with two quarters played, you'd win 100 quarters and with three coins played, you would get paid 150 quarters. In other words, each additional coin played proportionately increased by 50 coins on what you won, but nothing was actually multiplied.

Now, however, let's say you lined up three 7s and played only one coin. You should have received a 100-coin pay. Had you played two coins, you would have received 200 coins, and for three coins played, you would have won 600. Note that the three-coin payoff is three times the amount paid for two coins played. If that same jackpot had only increase proportionately as it did for the bars, you would have received just 300 coins. So you can see that the highest jackpot, for 7s, is multiplied, so to speak, if the maximum coins are played. In effect, you received a 300 coin bonus for playing three quarters instead of only one or two when the 7s lined up.

What does this complicated explanation about multipliers tell you? For one thing, if the machine you select pays a jackpot bonus for playing the maximum coins possible, you will be cheating yourself when you hit the jackpot if you play fewer coins than the maximum. It is important to remember that not all multipliers pay a jackpot bonus, though, so look closely at the award glass on your machine before deciding how many coins you wish to play.

Single-Coin Slot Machines

Most slot machines take multiple coins as described above. There still are, however, some machines around that only accept one coin per play. These slots may not be found in the newer, larger casinos, but some of the smaller clubs still have a good selection. These single-coin slots are the older looking machines in mostly nickel, dime, and quarter denominations. They may have skinny little reels that spin and jerk to a stop with a clang. Single-coin nickel denomination machines often pay jackpots of $7.50, with $15.00 maximum.

Some customers feel these are the only true slot machines left in this world and will play only where these machines are still in service. Playing the single-coin machines can provide hours of fun, and while it is unlikely you will win millions, you can often enjoy losing slowly.