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The most typical feature of progressive slots is their constantly increasing jackpot, where a small percentage of every bet goes towards the pools. There are both standalone machines as well as entire networks of progressive slots where the jackpot accumulates across multiple games.

As we already mentioned, the pools are “fueled” by subtracting a tiny percentage of all bets made on a given progressive slot and adding it to the pot. This is also one of the reasons why the jackpots offered by the progressive slot machines are normally larger than the fixed jackpots of standard slots.

Of course, the chances of hitting the jackpot are usually quite small but this is not a good enough reason to avoid all progressive games. Realistic expectations are always the best advisor when it comes to progressive machines.

Overview

Progressive slots have become increasingly popular over the years and are among the games that offer exceptionally large jackpots, especially when the machines across a casino, a city, or even an entire state are linked in a network.

One of the most important things players need to have in mind about progressive slot machines is the fact their regular payouts are not so great. A percentage of every bet, however, is added to the jackpot.

In order to qualify for the progressive prize, the player is required to bet the maximum number of credits per spin. Betting less than the maximum is not profitable due to the fact the payout is not as good as the one provided by other types of slot machines. Single multipliers (bets of one coin) are also not recommendable when trying to qualify for the jackpot.

Players need to closely monitor their own gameplay and remember to stay safe when it comes to bankroll management. Some experts recommend not to play with your own money but use your winnings instead. Very long game sessions are also not recommendable when playing progressive machines.

Return statistics guide illustration

The Stand-alone Progressive Slot Machines

The stand-alone progressive slots are not linked in a network with other machines. A percentage of the coins wagered by the players is always added to the prize awarded for the highest winning combination.

This type of slot machine’s payback is the same as that of other machines with the same denomination, but it is distributed differently in order to provide players with the opportunity to win various amounts of the top prize.

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In-House and Proprietary Progressive Slot Machines

This type of progressive slot machines are normally linked together in a network and are owned and operated by a specific casino, respectively. Such machines may be situated in a single casino, or in several properties in case the gaming company owns more than one venue.

Wide-Area Progressive Slot Machines

These are the machines that usually offer the most massive jackpots. They are linked together in a special network connecting many unrelated casinos, which may even not be a property of one gaming company. However, the payback ratio of these machines is usually much smaller than the payback percentage of other slots.

”Crossover” Slot Machines

A large number of casinos are offering maxi-line slot machines that feature the so-called random progressive jackpots. These machines are a mixture between a regular progressive machine and a maxi-line slot. The important thing here is that all bets are made on the maximum number of paylines and the winnings generated are much smaller in comparison to the original multi-line equivalent of the slot machine.

Players need to always check the payout table of these machines in order to carefully evaluate the eventual winnings. There is usually a difference between the prizes provided by the crossover machines and the more traditional slots.

Slots history guide illustration

Playing Progressive Slot Machines

Before choosing a progressive slot machine, players need to be aware of the fact that playing such a machine is not the same as playing other slots. As was already explained above, a certain portion of every bet goes toward the progressive jackpot. The latter, however, is reset by the casino at a certain amount once the jackpot is hit.

Another important detail related to playing a progressive slot is the fact players need to bet the maximum number of coins per spin if they want to qualify for the huge prize. Of course, the player is permitted to use any other bet size other than the maximum, but this will earn them only a small portion of the progressive jackpot.

The regular prizes on progressive slots are usually relatively small. This is deliberate, of course, because most players who go and try their luck on a progressive slot machine are not usually interested in the regular payouts.

Bankroll guide illustration

A wise thing to do is not to use your own money when playing a progressive jackpot but bet the winnings you have generated. This is exactly why most experts recommend that these machines should be played at the end of the player’s session. A good idea is also to set a loss limit in advance and put an end to the session once you have spent this amount.

Over the last few years, a large number of casinos are starting to add a new kind of progressive slot machines that feature both a minor and a major jackpot. Of course, these jackpots are much smaller in comparison to the mega jackpot progressives and are also randomly won.