Almost all slot games randomly determine when a jackpot is paid. Mystery progressive slot machines, on the other hand, differ because theypay jackpots at a specific amount.
On progressive slot machines, a percentage of each wager is added to the jackpot or jackpots. Three-reel slot machines usually have a single progressive jackpot on the top payoff, and you must bet maximum coins to be eligible. On a three-coin dollar slot machines, for example, you can’t win the progressive if you bet only one or two coins. In a modern slot machine, the odds of hitting a particular symbol or combination of symbols depends on how the virtual reel is set up. As we saw in the last section, each stop on the actual reel may correspond to more than one stop on the virtual.
For instance, a game might be programmed to pay its jackpot at exactly $250. This means that you can predict exactly when the payouts will be delivered.
One defining characteristic of mystery progressive slots is that they have small jackpots. Their top payouts usually range between $50 and $500.
This isn’t very exciting if you like chasing huge jackpots, but the benefit is that you can use these guaranteed amounts to gain an advantage.
You need to calculate the target point when you should start playing in order to gain this edge. Here’s a formula that’ll help you do so.
- Formula: t = m × (h + r) / (h + 2r)
- t = Target point
- m = Max jackpot
- r = Rise of meter (how much of each bet goes into the jackpot; i.e., 2%)
- h = House advantage
The toughest part about this formula is that you’ll be dealing with one or more unknown variables. You won’t know the rise of meter, but you can reasonably assume that it will be around 2%.
Return to player (RTP) for most online slots is easy to find. But land-based slot machines’ payback is rarely public information.
Distance Method Win Slot Machines Game
You’ll have to estimate the latter by looking at state gaming reports to see how much each coin denomination pays. For example, a Nevada report might show that dollar slots offer 95% RTP onaverage.
Here’s an example on using the formula to figure out a target point.
- You’re playing a slot with 96% payback (4% house edge)
- Rise of meter is 2%
- Jackpot hits at $400
- Formula is: $400 jackpot x (0.04 + 0.02 rise in meter) / (0.04 + 0.02×2) = $300 target
- You should play this game when the mystery jackpot is at $300 to gain an edge
Once you know the target point, you can either start playing right away or wait for the jackpot to increase further. Waiting is risky, though, because somebody can step in and play for thejackpot before you.
Therefore, the best strategy is to jump in as soon as possible, rather than leaving things up to chance.