By Keira Collin
The flashing lights and exciting sounds of slot machines are a big part of what makes casinos so enticing. And nothing captures the imagination of slot players more than the chance to win a massive, life-changing jackpot. Progressive slots are slot machines that are linked together, with a portion of each wager contributing to a growing jackpot. When the progressive jackpot is finally hit, one lucky player walks away with a mountain of cash. With jackpots that reach into the millions, it’s no wonder progressive slots are so wildly popular.
How progressive slots work?
A progressive jackpot is created by linking together slot machines of the same type, whether they are in the same casino or located in different casinos across a region or country. A percentage of each bet placed on the linked machines contributes to the ever-increasing progressive jackpot amount. The jackpot grows with every wager until a player finally strikes the winning combination. This lucky winner takes home the entire jackpot amount, which resets to a predetermined seed amount and starts growing again.
The seed amount is determined by the casino. Common starting amounts for local area progressives are between $10,000-$50,000, while wide-area progressives begin in the hundreds of thousands. The rate of growth depends on the number of participating machines and the game popularity. More players mean more money feeding into the jackpot at a faster rate.
Types of progressive jackpots
There are three main types of progressive jackpots:
- Standalone Progressives: The Jackpot is linked to individual machines in one casino.
- In-House Progressives: Jackpot is linked between machines in multiple casinos owned by the same operator.
- Wide-Area Progressives: Jackpot is linked across machines in many different casinos across a state, country, or even internationally. These jackpots grow to be the largest.
The most famous wide-area progressives are Megabucks and Wheel of Fortune, which are operated by International Game Technology. Both games have paid out jackpots over $10 million.
Tips for playing progressive slots
Here are some tips to increase your chances with progressive slots:
- Always bet maximum coins. The biggest jackpots require a maximum bet to qualify.
- Manage your bankroll. Have enough money to outlast the random nature of progressives.
- Choose reputable casinos with clearly posted rules and payout rates. Avoid shady establishments.
- Understand your odds. Your chances of hitting the top jackpot are typically very slim.
- Play when the jackpot is higher. This increases the payback percentage.
- Join the casino’s rewards club for perks like free play offers. Use to play progressives.
- Remember that winning is based on luck. Don’t chase losses; walk away within your budget.
The chance to potentially win multimillion-dollar jackpots makes progressive slots an exciting draw at judi online. With a bit of luck and proper strategy, you just might hit the next big mega jackpot.
