The technology behind gaming machines has changed a lot over the decades. After starting as a mechanical invention, they evolved with the introduction of electronics and video in the 1970s. Today, you can even play slots on your own computer or mobile screen and win different jackpots. Gaming as a whole has changed a lot in recent years, and slot games are no exception to that.
Early mechanical slots could usually only pay out preset jackpots, but with the transition to the digital world, cumulative jackpots and bonus multipliers have become far easier to implement. Sometimes, game development isn’t limited by the natural progression but by the medium they’re working with; while old-time slots would unquestionably have benefited from these extra forms of payout, it just wasn’t feasible in mechanical versions… but how that has changed! Nowadays, there are many different types of jackpots and, in this article, we’ll go into detail about each one of them.
The Origin of the Jackpot
So, what was a jackpot if we cast our eyes back a long way? Just a payout of a few coins at a preset amount, or possibly a couple of preset amounts, depending on the slot machine. The concept of jackpot is thought to have come from poker. It is a term that was used in these card games when there was a game in progress and no player had a pair of jacks or higher cards in their hand. The bets placed before receiving the cards increased until someone managed to collect this desired pair; at that moment, the player won what was called “Jack’s pot.”
Slot machine developers embraced this idea and ran with it, and the “jackpot” was often the main appeal of many games, as opposed to the smaller wins that many of these options could pay out. Indeed, the term “jackpot” became synonymous with good luck and a big win. Now, things have got even more exciting. An online jackpot at a digital casino can be infinitely more varied, and has many exciting features to grab players’ attention and encourage them to give the game a whirl.
Today’s Jackpot: What is it?
Jackpots are probably the most exciting features of many of today’s slot machines, since they usually represent the biggest prizes and they are often the trickiest to win. They have, therefore, received a lot of attention from the programmers behind the games, who are constantly looking for new ways to make them appealing to players.
In some machines, the jackpot will grow at different speeds depending on the number of players and the value of the spins. In other cases, to qualify for the jackpot, it will be necessary to play with the maximum bet. If you’re going to have a go at winning a jackpot, do make sure you’ve checked out the stipulations first so you know exactly what you need to do to succeed.
Types of Jackpots
Generally speaking, one of the key elements that make players choose one slot or another is the jackpots. These can be fixed or progressive, and they offer special prizes that are often considerably higher than the other rewards available from that machine.
Here are some of the key types of jackpots you might see at a digital casino!
The Fixed Jackpot
A holdover from the early mechanical games, the fixed jackpot has a pre-established amount. In general, to be eligible for this prize, the maximum bet must be placed. The advantage is that the jackpot isn’t depleted when somebody wins; the same amount is immediately available again as a prize, so if two players in a row get lucky, the second doesn’t miss out.
Don’t forget that the jackpot is often hard to win, though, so you should play for fun and not just prizes. It’s also worth being aware that in slots with fixed jackpots, a higher RTP (return to player) value means you often have a better chance of winning.
The Progressive Jackpot
Some jackpots increase each time they are not won – and they’re often termed “progressive jackpots.” These really appeal to players because there is often no maximum limit and thus they can reach very tempting sums. Some casinos, both physical and virtual, will have interconnected machines and allow the jackpot to accumulate across all of them, creating big prizes. When won, the jackpot will often reset to a low value.
Other jackpots
There are other types of jackpots too, attracting players who like variety. For example, hot drop jackpots trigger at specific times, whether hourly, daily, or on another schedule. These can be especially exciting for players because as the time limit draws close and the jackpot still hasn’t been claimed, the suspense mounts. This is proof of our earlier point that game developers are always looking for new ways to build exciting new mechanics into the jackpot systems! Hot drop jackpots have proven unquestionably popular among players, and they are far from the only new approach.
What is the Ideal Formula?
There’s no simple way to win the jackpot at these games, which tend to be heavily luck-based. That’s disappointing, but if it weren’t true, there wouldn’t be much point in playing! However, you can give yourself a bit of an edge by choosing machines that have a high RTP and multiple prizes.
Remember too that patience is crucial. Don’t feel defeated if you have been trying for a long time. Playing the slots should be about having fun and enjoying the themes and features that many of these modern games offer… so peruse the selections provided by your favorite online casino and pick games that look appealing to you!
