Progressive jackpots are an intriguing concept in the world of gambling and quite alluring too; each time a player places a wager that doesn’t win the progressive pot, a small percentage of that stake contributes to it, thereby making it larger and more lucrative. Progressive jackpots are most commonly associated with slot machines and video poker machines but can be found at keno games, casino poker and even blackjack.
The Disadvantages
Before we dive into what makes progressive games good plays, let’s consider the possible downsides, which fortunately are few. The biggest concern is the odds of a game. Odds are, in part, determined by the potential payout, so as the jackpot fluctuates, so do the odds. If someone were to play simply for fun, then the changing odds are irrelevant, but for the player who chooses his or her machines based on those odds, it forces them to work harder and more frequently. Factors that affect the odds include jackpot size, reset period, meter rate and meter volume.
The Advantages
The obvious advantage of progressive games is that they’re more lucrative than similar machines without the progressive component. Think of it this way: Progressive payouts aren’t limited by the bet size. That detail is particularly important when dealing with games that allow for small bets. A non-progressive penny slot machine is never going to make someone a millionaire, but the jackpot of a progressive penny slot machine could actually climb into the millions.
Another benefit of progressive jackpots is increasing odds. As a progressive jackpot grows, the potential payout rises and thus the game’s odds lean increasingly toward the favor of the player. Progressive games can reach what is called the break-even point and actually move beyond it. Fully-pay Jacks or Better, for instance, pays out 99.54 percent at best, but a progressive Jacks or Better machine that has moved past the break-even point can have an RTP as high as 101 percent.
Progressive games, particularly when it comes to video poker and slot machines tend to be simpler than their non-progressive counterparts, which is a good thing for most players. A reason why so many slot fans still prefer pub-style machines is that the payout tables are straightforward. In modern video slots, a lot of the lucrativeness happens due to bonus features that aren’t so easily evaluated. With progressive games, however, the focus is on that swelling jackpot, and therefore, the game design will deemphasize features like on-the-reels bonuses and second-screen opportunities.
Evaluating a Progressive Jackpot
A progressive game’s greatest benefit is that it’s profitable. To determine that, the player first needs to identify the straight odds, which are the default odds after the jackpot has reset. Then the player needs to determine the meter, which is the percentage of each wager that goes toward the progressive jackpot. Finally, the player must assess the meter volume. A network-based progressive slot machine has much more volume than a single-person progressive slot machine. In theory, volume doesn’t affect the odds; in practice, however, high volume makes the chances of reaching the break-even point much likelier.