Chasing a Handpay?
How much do you need to spend to get a handpay on a slot machine? The answer may surprise you.
Our recommendation: fewer but larger bets
While we have won a handpay for as little as a $3 bet, all of the others were won at a $10 spin or higher. It’s pretty simple. Higher bets mean that the win amount ($1,200 or more) is closer to the bet amount. On a $100 per spin bet, a handpay is not difficult to get because it’s only a 12x win.
Getting a handpay is a great experience, one we think everyone should experience at least once. However, a handpay also has a big downside: taxes.
Handpays are taxed
Handpays are taxed as ordinary income. The W2-G that you receive from the slot attendant is sent to the US government, so if it’s not reported on your tax return the IRS may come knocking on your door.
The “perfect” slot win is really $1,199, one dollar short of a handpay. There are no taxes to pay, so you keep all of it.
Easiest way to get a handpay?
Yes, oddly enough.
Large bets As I mentioned before, the closer your bet is to $1,200, the more likely it is you’ll get a handpay. $100 spins? Piece of cake. $1 spins? Much harder.
Slots with $1,200 minors. If you can find a slot machine where the minor jackpot is the same as a handpay, that’s the one to play. If you play slots like Dragon Link, the minimum bet at $1 denomination is $5 and the minor is $1,250.
Watch DLucky
The DLucky slot channel is THE place to watch how all of these recommendations work, especially because the people who appear aren’t usually experienced slot players.