My back story: I used to take a BR of about $800. I'd head to the high limits room at my local. I mostly played $5 WOF and Quickhits ($10/$15 a spin). Did I burn through the money in an hour or two? Yep. But when I was going to the HL, I'd often walk out with $400 or so extra in my pocket. Or I'd leave with a handpay or two. But I couldn't afford to do that and losing $800 in 90 minutes was killing me. So I started playing penny slots, often at max bet. I feel like i lose MORE overall paying the pennies with the same investment as I did in the HL room. yes, the entertainment lasts longer. But chasing the bonuses on these machines at $2.50 or $3 a spin is sooooo painful. After $200, if I get a bonus, I'm lucky to get $40 back. If I took that $200 and played $5 WOF, I might walk out with an extra $100. Or not.
All I know is this: When I played in the HL room, I'd get probably 5 handpays a year. Since I've been playing pennies, I've gotten 4 handpays in the last 4 years .. total! I remember each one:
5 Dragons Deluxe: $2.40 bet/HP of $1250
WW II: $1.50 bet/$4800 (it was a crazy lineup of three rows of ladies and ravens)
Buffalo: $4 bet/$4600 (3 buffalos in each row--crazy)
Timberwolf Deluxe: $2 bet/$1250