Every type of online casino game has its charms and appeals to a certain group of players. The majority of players prefer game styles that require a minimum of active attention and promise good pay-outs. One game category scores well on both accounts and is consequently seeing a spike in popularity – progressive jackpots. Games in this genre are easy to learn, fun to play, and quite rewarding if you somehow manage to hit the jackpot.
For anyone wondering how progressive jackpots work and how to get the best returns from playing such games, we prepared a short guide covering the basics.
What Are Progressive Jackpots
While the name sounds mysterious, progressive jackpots are not too complicated. They are essentially slot games that come with a special feature which lends the name to the genre. The main concept is very simple – the game features a jackpot that keeps increasing in value every time a player attempts to hit it and fails. The more players participate, the higher the prize goes. The casino can set the pace at which the jackpot grows (usually 1% or more) and specific conditions may apply to determine when the increase is triggered, but the basic mechanic is nearly identical in all games of this type. The main draw of progressive jackpots is the possibility to win a much bigger prize than would otherwise be possible on slots. They are also very dramatic, with players able to track the value as the jackpot meter slowly moves up and anybody who gets lucky at the right time can take home an enormous haul.
How Fast Can You Learn to Play Progressive Jackpots
Modern online games are so user-friendly that hardly any preparation is needed. You could just run a typical progressive jackpot slot and glean the basic rules just from looking at the symbols on the screen. Of course, being able to spin the reels doesn’t make you an expert for slots and jackpots add another level of complexity to account for. It takes surviving a lot of close calls to truly master the nuances of this style of play and understand how to time your attempts and maximise your chances. Most players become comfortable in this format after a couple of weeks, although this depends on the exact games they choose. Slots are largely luck-based anyway so you can only prepare so much, but it certainly helps to be familiar with the interface and confident in your command of the gameplay.
Smart Strategy for Progressive Jackpots
It may sound counterintuitive that such a simple game can be strategically demanding, but progressive jackpots meet this definition. Smart players try to optimise their attempts and increase expected returns, and timing is key for this strategy to work. Playing too soon carries the risk that a winning round will produce underwhelming returns, which is why it’s wise to wait until the pot starts getting hefty. In many progressive jackpot games, it’s possible to calculate the exact point at which the expected returns turn positive, but even if that’s too much math for you the size of the jackpot pool is easy enough to scout. That’s easier to do if you participate in several games and strategically jump between them depending on the current amount of money in the pool.
How Much Cash You Can Make On a Progressive Jackpot
Games usually start with a set amount as the value of the jackpot (i.e. $1,000) but the figure can grow quickly as more players join in the fray. Five-figure pay-outs are common, while in some cases it might be possible to push the winnings into six-figure territory. That’s truly a staggering amount of cash, but you have to realise that it’s not all profits. Presumably, you won’t hit the jackpot on your first spin so you have to subtract whatever amount you spent on the game before winning. Depending on where you live, there might also be transfer fees and taxes to pay, but even after all these deductions the player is left with a small fortune. However, wins are infrequent and this is definitely not a type of game where chasing your loses makes any sense. A slower pace of play is preferable.
What Are the Best Progressive Jackpots on the Web Right Now?
There are so many titles to choose from, and some of them might be popular in different parts of the world. According to playlive casino South Africa reviews, progressive jackpots are among the most beloved games in this country. Some of the titles to keep in mind include Mega Moolah, Age of the Gods, Fortune Coin, and Reels and Wheels XL, but there are so much more to discover. Keep in mind that every game has its own rules, so even if they look very similar that could be a few wrinkles to master. As we said before, it’s best to be proficient with a few progressive jackpot slots and spend your time playing the one with the currently highest jackpot value. That’s why experienced players are always looking for the next game that will become wildly popular and attract lots of competitors.