What Are the Odds of Winning a Jackpot on Slots

Learn what are the chances of winning a jackpot on slots, and the many ways to increase your odds, and what misconceptions you should disregard.

odds of winning a slot jackpot
What Are the Odds of Winning a Jackpot on Slots

Walking out of a casino with millions of dollars in hand after winning a slot's jackpot prize, the fantasy of every casino patron. That's why people play slots after all - they want to win the largest payouts ever!

What are the slot machine odds of being one of those people who took home one of the coveted jackpot prizes? Is there a way for you to improve your odds of winning casino progressives?

Odds of Winning Large Jackpots In Slots

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Your chances of winning any major jackpot start at 50 million to more than 100 million to one. The likelihood of winning a slot jackpot depends on the slot game's RTP rate and variance.

Take note that these odds are provided by a handful of software providers, which tend to be different from the actual probability of a game. Certain slots can reach up to 600 million to one likelihood of winning the jackpot.

Slot jackpot probability mentioned here is from local and wide area network progressive slots instead of fixed jackpots. When people spin the reels of these slots, the jackpot amount grows. Local progressives only count the spins from machines within the vicinity while wide area network progressives count spins from players around the world. Expect the former to have a low jackpot prize than the latter because of the availability of these games.

At this point, you are likely thinking of how to win jackpots on slot machines given the unsurmountable odds associated with progressive games. One method to improve your odds is in playing higher denomination slots.

Odds of Winning Large Jackpots In Slots
Odds of Winning Large Jackpots In Slots

How Can Players Win Slot Jackpots

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To understand how slots determine whether you win the jackpot or not, we need to cover the basics of the PRNG algorithm. Every online and video slot uses a PRNG algorithm to determine the results of each spin. This algorithm uses seeds and entropy data to create multiple authentic results. To achieve "real randomness", entropy comes from real-world factors such as the system clock.

To have the jackpot within your reach, you need to spin the reels with the specific seed and entropy data (likely the specific time) set. Take note that this is just going to give you a chance at winning the jackpot. You also need to get one of the multiple results generated by the specific seed and entropy. The high variance rates and conditions set are the reasons why getting the jackpot is hard.

Play Higher Denomination Games & Max Bets

When you play higher denomination games, you get a better payout upon your wins and a better edge against the house. When you play 1 to 5 cent denomination games, you only get a payback rate of 84% to 89% with a player edge of around 84% to 88%. Going for slots that costs a dollar to spin, you get a 93% to 95% return and an edge of up to 95%.

Higher denominations are one of the achievable slot machine tips to win the progressive jackpot prize since you are increasing the number of spins or chances. It is important to note that you are exchanging better jackpot win odds with higher risks. These denominations can result in losing more spins over a set period. On the other hand, the massive jackpot prize is worth taking on a bigger risk than playing it safe with small bets.

Different slots have their gameplay mechanics in giving players a shot at the jackpot prize. Here are ways on how you can win the top progressive jackpot slots.

Mega Moolah (Microgaming)

With an RTP of 88.12%, Mega Moolah offers one of the largest jackpot prizes in any casino with a low edge against the house. You need to get into the Mega Moolah Jackpot Wheel to get the coveted prize, which is triggered by random during the base game. There are four different jackpots in the bonus mode that increase in amount as more people spin the reels: Mini, Minor, Major, Mega. You win one of the four jackpots when you land at its corresponding place on the reels.

Mega Moolah
Mega Moolah by MicroGaming

Aztec's Millions (RTG)

In the 3x5 reels and 25 payline Aztec's Millions (by Realtime Gaming), the progressive jackpot is obtainable by matching 5 Aztec's Millions symbols. Furthermore, you can win up to 25 free games by matching 5 Scattered Idols symbols to get a free shot at the progressive jackpot as well as tripling all non-bonus symbols' payout.

Halls of Gods (NetEnt)

Halls of Gods' progressive jackpot is hidden in the Bonus Feature of the game, which you can trigger by getting three Bonus symbols to appear on the reels. During the bonus game, you choose from 15 shields that contain three different jackpot symbols: Mega, Midi, Mini. You win the corresponding jackpot by revealing three of its symbols on the board.

Funky Fruits (Playtech)

Obtaining the jackpot in Funky Fruits from Playtech is straightforward and simple. You need to match eight or more of the Cherry symbol to win the jackpot. Do not mistake simply as easy though. The chances of having a Cherry symbol appear on the reels are incredibly low since this is the most valuable symbol in the game. Fortunately, Funky Fruits is a cluster pay slot where you get a free re-spin when you match any symbols.

Common Myths About Slot Machine Jackpots

Slots are somewhat esoteric with lots of people believing in random misconceptions. There have been several myths regarding slot jackpot probability such as ones where players can trigger the massive cash prize itself. Others involve finding slots with the best odds among the dark corners of the casino floor. Here are the two common myths of a win at slots jackpot payouts.

There Are Loose Slots Hidden in Plain Sight

Imaginations run wild among casino patrons when they see a worker servicing one of the machines. Questions such as "Can resetting the machine refresh the algorithm to give the next player a better chance at winning the jackpot?" can go around various players. When the service option appears on the screen, one cannot help but wonder if defragging or removing the money from a machine can loosen it up.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a loose slot that increases the slot machine odds. Hot or cold slots that pay high or low during specific times are also a myth.

Remember, every slot machine uses a PRNG algorithm to determine if a spin wins or loses as well as the corresponding symbols matched. An employee cannot change the algorithm programming when they service the machine.

Apart from being serviced by the staff, slot jackpot odds are also not affected by the payouts. Players who won the largest possible payout from a single title will not decrease the chances for the next person to get a high cash prize. All results are still created by the algorithm, which will not consider the money it paid out to players when determining the symbols appearing on the reels.

Players Can Trigger The Jackpot With a Button Sequence

A majority of casino patrons likely saw the clip of Brad Pitt entering a sequence of button presses and coin insert to win a slot's jackpot prize. Those who did watch Ocean's 13 tend to try their luck at pushing buttons at random to control their odds, which will not work.

Is the button sequence a myth? You will be surprised to know that this is real and was achieved by Ronald Dale Harris. Ronald was a programmer who has a job at the Nevada Gaming Control Board as an inspector of slot machines across Las Vegas casinos. During his career, he was able to create a chip that lets him win a high payout from any game. To accomplish his goal, Ronald recruited friends to embed his chip onto targeted slots.

Ronald was able to get away with thousands of dollars from Las Vegas casinos. Unfortunately for him, the law caught up to Ronald in Atlantic City, and was sentenced to seven years.

Because of Ronald's illegal pursuit, casinos and manufacturers increased the security of each slot machine. Any random button presses on a slot machine will not increase a player's slot machine odds, but it can catch the attention of casino security.

myths and misconceptions about online slots
Common myths and misconceptions about online slots.

With the massive payout provided by progressive jackpots, your odds of winning them are slimmer than winning the lottery. You can still increase your chances of winning the elusive jackpot prize by playing high denomination slots and raising the number of spins instead of following busted casino myths.

This article was published on June 17, 2021, and last updated on October 25, 2022.