Slots are popular for their simplicity. New players can get to grips with basic gameplay after a few games, and even those with hundreds of paylines and bonus games are designed to be intuitive. But, despite the simplicity of slot machines, the sheer range of games available can make the choice daunting. One type of online slot we see a lot of is the progressive slot, typically boasting massive jackpots for relatively modest stakes.
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Online Slots
Online slots are the most popular games at online casinos. They have attractive designs and appealing audio, and their gameplay is quick and easy to grasp. Jackpots can also be sizeable, especially when it comes to progressive slots.
Progressive slots are found at virtually all online casinos, as well as at sweepstakes casinos like ProgressiveSweepSlots. Sweepstakes casinos enable players to enjoy the same casino games as online casinos, but they can be played in some jurisdictions where online gambling is still prohibited. They also allow gamblers to play for free and win real prizes.
Progressive Jackpot Prizes
Progressive Jackpot prizes accumulate over time. Whenever somebody plays the game and stakes money, a small amount of that stake is added to the total jackpot. When it is won, the winner takes all of the prize, and the jackpot resets. Typically, it doesn’t reset back to zero but starts from a sizeable position, potentially several thousand dollars.
Progressives are won rarely, which enables the jackpot to grow and grow. Some machines even share the same progressive jackpot. This means more players are vying to win the big one, but the additional players mean more stakes are placed on the machine and the jackpot can grow even bigger.
There have been several instances of these jackpots reaching millions of dollars. So big are the prizes that progressive jackpot wins can make mainstream media news. And they can certainly change the lives of winners.
Stake Matters
Progressive jackpots are commonplace. They are popular with casinos because the jackpot can reach massive levels, even into the millions of dollars, and these big prizes act as a major draw to punters. Different progressive slots have different rules and requirements that need to be met to win the jackpot.
Typically, the player is required to place the maximum stake as their bet to be in with a chance of bagging the big one. Players who aren’t comfortable playing for large stakes should avoid progressive stakes. Players in the UK and other countries that have imposed maximum stake limits may not be able to bet the required amount.
Game Requirements
The most basic progressive slots might only require that the player match the required symbols. However, in most cases, this pays out a standard jackpot and allows the player to play for the progressive jackpot as part of an additional game. This may mean spinning a jackpot wheel or there may be other steps. Casinos and software makers don’t want the progressive jackpot to be won too often, or it never has the opportunity to build up. This is why players have to complete several stages to win the jackpot.
Why Are They Popular?
The main reason progressive jackpots are popular is because of the sizeable prizes they offer. Not all reach that level, but some progressives have offered prizes of millions of dollars to players.
The games are also popular because, as the jackpot grows, it garners more attention. There are sites and services dedicated to providing details of the largest prizes. As more people stake their money and the jackpot grows, it becomes increasingly prominent. The casinos can use the progressive jackpot as a means of advertising their site, and players will talk to friends and family about the size of the prize.
Some progressives are shared across multiple websites and casinos. This means that the prize can increase quickly, which is another way that software makers ramp up the excitement of games.
Why Doesn’t Everybody Play Progressive Slots?
The single biggest reason some players avoid progressive jackpot games is that they generally require players to stake the maximum amount possible. This can be as much as $5 or more at some slots, which means spending a lot of money just to spin the reels a few times. For most people, this doesn’t fit in with their carefully crafted budgets.
Progressive jackpots do have additional requirements beyond simply spinning and matching the reels. The jackpot will usually require players to hit matching symbol patterns before spinning a wheel or completing some other side game to reward them with the big one.
Some players simply may not know about progressive jackpots. Not all casinos offer them, and unless the prize is really worth shouting about, some casinos that do offer progressive games may not explicitly market their existence.
Progressive Jackpot Tips
Always ensure you meet the wagering requirement. This generally means staking the maximum amount possible. This may mean reducing the number of games you play, to ensure you stay within budget.
Understand the rules before you spin. Some progressives might pay out if you simply hit the required pattern of symbols on the reels, but this certainly isn’t always the case. Check the rules and requirements for walking away with the big prize before you start spinning, to help avoid confusion and disappointment when you reach the final game.
Finally, don’t get carried away. The odds of winning such large jackpots are very slim. And the machines are designed to make you feel like you’re only one step away from a win. Don’t fall into the trap of dropping maximum stakes in the hope of winning a huge prize, and make sure you really are enjoying the game before you keep playing.
Conclusion
Progressive slots are some of the most popular slot machines at online casinos. They can have massive jackpots, even as big as several million dollars, although they do require players to stake large amounts to have a chance of winning.
If you’re interested in progressive slots, do your research on the game you’re considering, stick within your budget, and be prepared for the fact that the odds of picking up the progressive jackpot are even slimmer than winning the jackpot on standard machines.
