Progressive Slot Games Explained

October 02, 2009 | Article Category: Slots

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If you're new to slot gaming, you may have come across a concept called progressive slots. These slot games are becoming more and more common at online casinos and, if the truth be told, act as a major drawcard to online casinos as they boast such huge payouts. Before we examine the reward aspect of progressive online slots, let us examine what they actually are.

Progressive versus Regular Slots

If you play a regular slot game, video slot or otherwise, you will get paid out according to a set pay table, with the highest amount you can win on that particular machine being the jackpot. The jackpot amount will be listed on the paytable (eg. 40,000 credits). In the case of the progressive slot game, however, the jackpot amount is not static and the amount progresses (hence the name) each time the game is played. The jackpot will start at a certain amount and climb, and once it is won, it returns back to its base value.

Progressive Slots as Part of a Network

In the majority of cases today, progressive slot games are linked to a larger network and the jackpot increases each time that game is played within the network. So, for example, Microgaming may run a progressive slot game and each time someone accesses a Microgaming casino and plays that specific game, the jackpot rises a little more.

Winning the Jackpot

As a jackpot amount starts reaching big amounts (sometimes into the millions), more and more people try out that particular game in a bid to win. The more people that play, the faster the jackpot climbs and the more attractive the game becomes! It is important to remember, though, that to win the jackpot, you have to wager the maximum number of coins, otherwise you could lose out big time. It has been known for an online casino player to lose out on a seven digit figure because he couldn't be bothered to spend another 50c on his favorite progressive slot game! To avoid this hugely frustrating scenario, its best to always bet max.

Progressive Slots as Part of a Strategy

So if progressive slots are so great, why isn't everybody playing them? The truth is that you need to be extremely lucky to win the big jackpot on a progressive slot game. Therefore, you don't want to spend your entire bankroll on a game that has very little chance of paying out big. However - and this is a big 'however' - you don't want to avoid progressive slots altogether in case you are the lucky player to earn the windfall (someone has to win it, right?). Many seasoned slot players set aside a fixed amount of their bankroll to play progressive slots, and spend the rest on regular slots. This way, they spread their money evenly and don't lose it all in one go if it's not their lucky day at the progressive slot machines!