Plinko on Stake runs very smoothly, indeed. I was impressed how well it works even while on autobet mode, with all those balls bouncing around.
So, you wager cents at the time and hope to get the maximum multiplier eventually, does not sound so bad as strategy... and I thought I was the smallest gambler on Stake's plinko with my dollar wagers.
Good luck.

it doesn't matter if you are a small gambler and you don't have to get a win, at least you can increase your Wagered amount to get better membership and bonuses, of course, although sometimes playing plinko is a little boring because it uses auto bets there, let alone manual bets.
But increasing the membership level also requires a lot of money, especially if we are small gamblers who don't use much money to gamble. But it is a process and we should live it and not rush to upgrade our membership to reach the VIP level. One day, we will reach the VIP level

I've rarely played plink so I can only wish you good luck if you play plink. I still often play slots and sometimes get lucky in the game to get a decent amount of winning money.
I would say consider that as a road, some people could drive a lambo and go with 300 km/h to reach to that destination and you wish that you had the same thing, and some could have a corolla and drive 60 km/h to reach there. In the end everyone reaches that end destination and there is nothing wrong with getting there slower.
Yes, getting to a new level is a tough job, but at the end of the day you can do it and that is how you are going to end up there, by doing it slowly. I personally believe that we are going to end up with a small amount give or take at first, and then with more time you are going to end up inch by inch closer to getting there, just be consistent when you gamble.