Slot Game Jackpot Mechanics Explained

16-11-2022

Introduction

When diving into the online casino world and slot game industry specifically, the list of titles may seem endless upon first glance at one of the many online casino sites. However, each game on offer varies drastically from the next, each with unique and distinctive graphical thematics, pay symbols and bonus mechanics.

One of the most popular and exciting bonus features that are present in a multitude of slots is Jackpots. This mechanic often offers the greatest winning potential, with some rather immense prizes often setting win records across the world of gambling as a result of this mechanic.

However, jackpots aren’t limited to a singular bonus formula, with a multitude of different jackpots being littered across various titles. Within each of these jackpot slots, these mechanics have their own identities, offering varying prizes and being triggered in a host of ways. As a result, it is important to understand the differences regarding this bonus mechanic. However, not to worry, as in this following piece, we will be breaking down all the different types of jackpot mechanics out there and detailing everything you may need to know surrounding them.

Different types of Slot Game Jackpots

When it comes down to how a Jackpot works and operates, a number of aspects influence this, resulting in several unique jackpot variations. When choosing a game, it is important to know which type of jackpot is in play to help you decide whether or not you want to play it.

Local Jackpots

One of the aspects that influences a jackpot`s operation is the locality of the game in which it is featured. This is down to 2 key factors: whether the jackpot is solely machine based or spans across several slots. Local jackpots often have cumulative payouts, added via player stakes from a specific casino or individual device. This practice is the same in both the more traditional inland casino establishments and the more popular online casinos. However, as a particular number of machines can only add to the jackpot, there are hence fewer players contributing to the jackpot, and as a result, these often result in much lower jackpot payouts when compared to their more progressive jackpot counterparts.

Network Jackpots

Network Jackpots are among the most popular jackpots in the online casino world. Typically, the value of these jackpots comes from player stakes from all over the world. As the players contribute to this jackpot, these prizes continuously increase in value, with these progressive jackpots having the potential for large payouts. However, these come with a high variance rate and lower odds of triggering the jackpots.

Fixed Jackpots

Fixed jackpots, commonly referred to as Cash Pot jackpots are pretty straightforward when it comes to their concept. As you may be able to discern from their names, these jackpots are set at a certain value and do not increase. Although you may think this is unbeneficial, some of these jackpot slots contain the largest possible prizes amongst the multitude of online jackpot slots available. As a result of this, the requirements to trigger these are often difficult to accomplish, meaning they may be hard to obtain should you choose to play one of these slot titles.

Despite fixed jackpots not being contributed to by player stakes and bets, it is still possible to influence the potential payouts on offer. This is done by adjusting your stake, as fixed jackpots are often just your wager with a large multiplier attached!

Progressive Jackpot

Progressive jackpots are the largest jackpot mechanics currently active in the online casino market. These prize pools continuously grow larger due to player bets that they accumulate, which in turn provides players with some potentially huge payouts compared to many other regular slot games. When playing these jackpot games, your attention may be drawn to the jackpot counters, which seem to increase steadily in value as you spin the reels. As this type of jackpot has become more and more popular, the prizes that have been paid out to players also continue to increase, with prizes commonly resulting in million-plus payouts. However, like many other jackpots, these can be hard to activate due to the large awards. Should one of these jackpots be won, the jackpot will be reset and added to via player stakes once again.

Summary

In conclusion, Jackpots can be some of the most exciting additions to any online casino title. Not only does this bonus feature add an additional layer to a slot`s gameplay, but it obviously has the potential to pay out some rather large sums, should you be the lucky player to trigger or win one of the many different jackpots available.

As many different bonuses are currently available to players across the online casino world, it is important to note that all of these differ in their own ways, from the prizes on offer all the way down to how they are triggered or activated. As a result, taking time to read up on specific types of jackpots can be beneficial before delving into a jackpot title, ensuring you know as much as possible about the respective bonus on offer.

However, when playing at an online casino, we must reaffirm the real risk associated when playing real money games. Only play money and funds you are willing and can afford to lose, and always gamble responsibly when playing any online casino game. With jackpot slots and games, you are never guaranteed to receive one of the jackpot prizes available, so don`t chase these enticing rewards as more often than not, they take a substantial amount of time to payout, with some only being triggered in very rare instances.