Progressive slots are games that offer prize pools which could grow with every spin played. These constantly increasing jackpots are a popular mechanic; however, understanding how they work exactly before spinning the reels is essential. From what progressive slots are and the way in which their prizes grow, all the way to the different types available, Wink Slots has broken all these key details down.
The core concept: How a progressive jackpot works
There are several levels and mechanics involved with jackpot slots, which can help explain what these games are and how they operate. These include the following:
- The growing prize pool: At the heart of progressive jackpot slots are the jackpot prizes themselves. These pools increase incrementally with every bet placed by players, typically between 1% and 5% of the initial wager, depending on the game. These prize values continue to grow until they are potentially triggered, at which point the amount resets to a seed value. This is a predetermined amount set by the developer at which the progressive cycle starts again. This is significantly different compared to fixed jackpots, as the prizes in these online slots remain constant regardless of the number of spins played.
- The jackpot meter: Progressive jackpot slots often feature a visual jackpot meter displayed on the game screen itself. These real-time counters update with every wager, keeping players informed about the current prize value and highlighting its growing nature. If a jackpot is triggered, this metre will reset to its base value before beginning to build from there once again.
The three types of progressive jackpots
These games and their mechanics can present themselves in several formats:
- Standalone progressives: Starting with standalone progressives, these are jackpots tied to a single machine or game. The prize pool only grows when someone chooses to play that game, meaning that it accumulates more slowly than some of the other types we will mention. However, the player pool on these progressive jackpot slots tends to be smaller than some broader network-based ones.
- Linked (or in-house) progressives: Linked progressives, on the other hand, connect several games and machines within the same casino or on the same platform. All these games contribute to one shared jackpot, which could see its value increase more quickly than the standalone variants. However, the player base is larger in these games.
- Wide-area network progressives (the biggest jackpots): Finally, there are wide area network progressives, with these jackpots spanning multiple casinos. The network is managed directly by a game provider or software developer, and these tend to have the largest value jackpots of all three types discussed. As there are so many contributing players to these prize pools, the odds of triggering a network progressive jackpot can often be the smallest.
Important considerations for playing progressive slots
Besides how progressive jackpots work and the way the prizes accumulate, there are a handful of other important factors to remember. Although these don't exactly explain what progressive slots are, the terms and conditions are often key to ensuring that players are eligible for potentially triggering the mechanics in question.
The minimum bet requirement
To be eligible for triggering a progressive jackpot, most games require players to wager a certain amount. Those who don't may still contribute to the jackpot growing but won't have the chance of triggering it. Therefore, it is crucial to check the game's rules and paytable to understand these requirements.
RTP & volatility
Compared to standard casino games, progressive jackpot slots tend to have lower RTP (Return to Player) percentages. This is because a portion of each bet stake is collected by the prize pool in play. In addition to this, progressive jackpot slots usually boast a higher volatility, too, meaning returns could theoretically occur less frequently but be higher in value.
Winning the jackpot
There are a handful of ways in which progressive jackpots may be triggered. One of these is by landing a specific symbol combination, sometimes across pre-designated paylines. Another could see the jackpot triggered randomly through a bonus feature or additional mini game integrated by the developers. The last of the most common methods is via a ‘must hit by’ mechanism, with the jackpot needing to be triggered before it reaches a certain value.
Responsible gambling & setting expectations
As jackpot features can be entertaining, it is key to stay grounded and be aware that the odds of triggering a progressive jackpot are very low. Therefore, players should never chase losses or seek to trigger a progressive prize due to them being so rare.
If playing progressive jackpot slots, players should always set a strict budget, sticking to it when spinning the reels. Not exceeding this is vital, as chasing a jackpot should never be the main goal. For the safety and fairness side of things, making sure you are playing progressive slots at a regulated, audited and licensed casino ensures that the triggering of these mechanics is entirely random.
FAQs
What is the main difference between a progressive slot and a regular slot?
The main difference is the jackpot. A regular (or non-progressive) slot has a fixed maximum jackpot that does not change. A progressive slot has a jackpot that continuously increases as players place bets, accumulating until it is won, at which point it resets to a base amount.
How is the progressive jackpot funded?
The progressive jackpot is funded by a small portion of every bet placed on the game. A predetermined percentage of each wager is contributed to the jackpot pool, causing it to grow with every spin.
Do I have to bet the maximum amount to win a progressive jackpot?
Many progressive jackpot slots require players to bet the maximum amount per spin to be eligible to win the progressive jackpot. It is crucial to check the game's rules or paytable to confirm this.
Are progressive slots more difficult to win?
Progressive jackpot slots are generally considered high-volatility games, meaning they pay out less frequently than standard slots but offer the potential for larger wins. The odds of hitting the massive, top-tier jackpot are very low.
What are the different types of progressive jackpots?
There are three main types: Standalone progressives (jackpot on a single machine), linked progressives (jackpot shared among machines in one casino), and wide-area network progressives (jackpot linked across multiple casinos, offering the largest prizes).