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Every one of us would love to change our lives by winning a progressive jackpot. The seduction of huge progressive jackpots is a key marketing element for most casinos. But is this merely a marketing ploy or do people really win these jackpots? In this article we tell you more about these progressive
slots.
History of Progressive Slots
Slot manufacturers launched the concept of progressive jackpots in the early 80's when they began to build sophisticated microprocessors into the games. The principle is that a portion of every bet is added to the jackpot.
Progressive slots made their biggest leap when slot maker IGT launched Megabucks, the first multi-site linked progressive slot, in 1986. With the arrival of linked jackpots, truly massive prizes would build up as gamblers nationwide contributed to the jackpot.
You'll now find linked progressive jackpots at numerous casinos, both offline and online. Cash Splash led the way online and regularly pays out more than a million dollars.
The Way Progressive Slots Work
Whenever you hit the spin button on a progressive game, a part of your bet automatically goes into the jackpot. This means the payback is lower on a normal, non-jackpot win because at least 5 percent of every bet is diverted into the jackpot in most of the progressive slots. The casino still needs to draw its profit from the remaining 95 percent. So the typical payout on progressives is about 90 percent or even lower.
Progressive Jackpot Playing Tips
Picture this - you're on a five-reel progressive slot that needs 9 coins if you want to play all of the paylines. You can't win the jackpot if you score a win with 3, 4 or even 8 coins. This gives us our first golden rule: ALWAYS BET THE MAXIMUM on progressives.
Avoid making a potentially costly error by betting too few coins. Always press the button for MAXIMUM BET.
Aren't Progressive Slots Just a Waste of Money?
Believe us, they not! That opportunity to win the big one is worth having a go even if the payout on a lower win is statistically smaller. Even so, we urge you to set aside only a part of your bankroll for progressive
slots and never spend more than than you've allocated for them.
When five-reel slots arrived they introduced a greater number of winning combinations. This means you have a better chance of winning. Some of them are worth a part of your bankroll even if you ignore the jackpot possibility.
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