Types of Progressive Slot Machines

Online gambling gives you access to hundreds of different games, many of which are slot machines.  There are numerous types of slot machines out there based on game play and payout models.  Two of the main payout models are progressive vs. static.  Static slot machines pay out a fixed jackpot every time.  Progressive slot machines on the other hand have a jackpot that continues to increase until someone wins.  Progressive slots are exciting because they give you the chance to win a huge sum of money. 

Even within the world of progressive slots, though, there are some different types based on payout.  This has nothing to do with game play—just the way the slot machines are linked together.

• Standalone:  This is a single progressive slot machine which stands on its own.  It is not linked to any other slot machine.  It has its own progressive jackpot, generally in the range of £1,000-£10,000.  These are the smallest progressive jackpots.  The coin to play them may be lower though than it is with the other types.  That makes it a good “in-between” option if the progressive jackpot appeals to you, but you do not want to burn through all your money at once.

• Locally linked machines:  You will find these in land-based casinos.  A number of progressive machines may be linked together to offer one huge jackpot.  Often, the payouts for these machines are in the tens of thousands pounds.  All the money which is wagered at all the machines goes into the payout should someone win.

• Global progressive slots:  These slot machines are linked together over a much wider area, sometimes the entire globe.  These are the biggest progressive jackpots, because they are the largest networks of slots with the most money going in.  Jackpots may range in the hundreds of thousands to millions of pounds.  Winning one of these slots is like winning the lottery.  It is about as unlikely, and if you do manage to do it, your life could change forever in a huge way.  These types of machines usually take the largest coins, which means that you are going to go through your bankroll very quickly if you decide to play them.  This is one of the reasons you are so unlikely to win.

One more thing to know about types of progressive slot machines is that each of these categories has plenty of variety in terms of game play.  Your classic three-reel slot is the most basic type of slot machine.  You can find standalone, locally linked, and global progressive versions of it.  You can also find standalone, local, and global progressive video bonus slots, fruit machines, and more.  Whatever type of game play you enjoy and whatever type of jackpot you are interested in, there is a machine out there for you with the right odds. 

The most important thing to know about gambling on online slot machines is that you have a chance to play those global progressive slots.  At your local land-based casino, you do not get this chance.  The jackpots you can win there are big, but not huge.  Gambling online gives you the unique shot at winning millions of pounds with a single pull of the virtual lever.