What is a Progressive Jackpot? – A Comprehensive Guide in 2023

Progressive jackpot attracts gamblers with their prize pools, often reaching several million dollars. All players influence the prize pool amount: it increases every time someone makes a wager on the selected slot. A certain percentage is deducted from each bet per game and adds up to the overall jackpot sum. A jackpot pool can be linked to several progressive jackpot pokies games, casinos, or software from a specific developer. Once some lucky player hits the prize, the jackpot size resets, and the prize pool grows again.

Are Progressive Jackpots Real?

Yes, absolutely. Furthermore, progressive slot machines are among the most popular online casino games, and not without reason. While players hit them rarely, once they do, they typically win life-changing sums. Fair and licensed online casinos and software developers provide payouts since they care about their reputation. Therefore, choose a reliable and trusted casino site like Bambet when you want to play a progressive jackpot game.

What Triggers a Progressive Jackpot?

Most progressive jackpot slots require gamblers to trigger a unique bonus game, where they have to spin the wheel, pick cards, match symbols, etc., to trigger a jackpot. Other slots require players to line up specific slot icons on a specified pay line or fill all lines with unique icons. However, you can sometimes find slots paying out progressive jackpots randomly, where you do not have to land unique icons or play bonus games. Such pokies usually have higher wagering requirements.

How Do You Hit a Progressive Jackpot?

Each progressive slot machine comes with its setup, so you must check the game rules before starting to play. While keeping in mind that the progressive slots are always triggered by luck, one thing that depends on you is checking whether you are eligible to trigger such a prize. Usually, you cannot place minimum bets for a chance at a progressive.

Most progressive pokies set the minimum bet size to be eligible for a progressive jackpot about twice the regular minimum bet for that slot. The best way to determine how to qualify for such a prize is by checking the “Info” section of the slot.

What Are the Odds of Hitting a Progressive Jackpot?

Progressive jackpots are 100% random casino games, so there’s no predicting when the jackpot might land. However, let’s explain the odds of winning. For a 5-reel slot with 20 symbols on each reel, one of which is the jackpot symbol, the jackpot will be won when the specific icon lands on the pay line, giving you a 1:3,200,000 chance of winning.

According to the statistics, the chances of hitting a progressive jackpot start at around 50,000,000:1. Still, there is some good news. The chances of winning a progressive jackpot are higher than winning a lottery. Besides, the odds of winning increase as the prize pool grows.

7 Tips For Playing Progressive Jackpot Slots

There is no perfect strategy that will allow you to win the progressive jackpot slot, but there are several ways for you to tip the scales of luck in your favour as much as possible:

  1. Read the instructions for each casino game you want to play carefully. Although progressive jackpots typically have similar rules, there may be slight differences between individual casino games.
  2. Test demo versions. They let you see if you like the particular slot before creating an account.
  3. Select pokies known for paying out progressive jackpots at least several times, for example, the Mega Moolah slot game.
  4. Consider playing for hot drop jackpots. Such slot games guarantee to pay out their smaller jackpot prize sums within a specified time interval or when the prize pool has reached a set level. 
  5. Avoid the progressive slots where the prize pool is currently low.
  6. Before playing, set the maximum stake you can afford to spend on gambling. 
  7. If you haven’t been able to win for a while, take a break. If you cannot tear yourself away from the game alone, do not hesitate to ask for help.

Final Verdict

Progressive jackpots bring more excitement to playing pokies, offering a chance to win millions. While they are tough to hit, thousands of gamblers enjoy playing such slots, contributing to substantial prize pools. Consider our tips above and immerse yourself in the fun world of progressive pokies.

Narciso Baldo is the Director and Head Coach of Texas Hold'em Questions. He has been playing poker for over 16 years. After spending many years as a professional, he now runs UK poker training site Texas Hold'em Questions. Narciso regularly writes poker articles sharing tips, strategy, news and experience with gambling enthusiasts. Narciso also writes for reputable gambling portal Casino City Times, (bio here). Contact: info@texasholdemquestions.com