How Progressive Slots Work, the Jackpot Contribution and Tips to Play Progressive Slots in an Online Casino

Slots machines have been around in casinos for a long time; however of late, progressive slots have become very popular. They are based on an idea implemented by slots manufacturers where a percentage of each placed bet accumulates to reach the total jackpot prize.

It was in 1986 that the famous slots manufacturer, International Gaming Technologies had started Megabucks, the first multi-site linked progressive slots game. With these machines linked to a single progressive jackpot, the jackpot adds up to a large prize but comes with a lower payout percentage.

These progressive jackpots are available both online and in land based casinos. Like slots, here you have to select the coin size, the number of coins per payline and the number of paylines the jackpot offers. You then wish for luck on clicking the spin button.

Check out the machine's meter

You can find out the amount that you stand to win through the progressive jackpot by looking at the meter on the machine. This amount increases in small increments for each play made on any of the connected progressive slots machines. This increment is usually decided by the casino or house wherein if the casino’s edge is 15%, they may offer a 3% jackpot contribution.

The casinos are ready to offer the jackpot contribution because of the popularity of the game. It is the large amount of the progressive jackpot that attracts casino players to progressive slots; so this amount is displayed as a changing meter on a large eye catching display.

Bet the maximum number of coins to win

There is an important rule that has to be followed when playing progressive slots; which is to bet the maximum number of coins. This is to ensure that you qualify for the progressive jackpot. If this rule is overlooked, and you end up with the right symbols in the right order, you end up not qualified for the jackpot.

So what has to be done is to immediately click on the Bet Max button found in most machines, when you log onto the game. However, this maximum betting does not necessarily mean you have to bet a lot of money to play progressive slots.  On the contrary, the betting requirements are rather low when compared to the progressive jackpot you can win.

Think to find out if you are fit for playing progressive slots

Before playing progressive slots, you have to ensure that you are suited to play the game. This is because it is only if you are ready to invest your stakes in winning should you play progressive slots.

If you want to play for a longer time, and are satisfied by making some money, then slots is the better option for you.

Make sure you recognize the trade off between the probability of winning and payout. Remember that it is because of a small chance of winning that progressive jackpot amounts reach large amounts.

There is no fixed level in progressive slots

Before you start playing progressive slots, be careful of the jackpots having constant value meters as these meters may either not be progressive or have topped out wherein the casino keeps a large amount of the money.

On the contrary, there is no fixed level in the game wherein the machines get ‘due’, and start paying. This is because progressive slots are not programmed to payout on reaching some values.

With all these tips and pointers in mind, you will find progressive slots a more interesting game to play where you stand a great chance of winning the jackpot.