Guide to Slot Machine Play – Max Bet and Progressives Slots
As casinos begin to open, excitement and curiosity may overpower health concerns. Some of us can’t wait to get back to the casino. However, if you are a prepared slot player, complete with a mask and hand sanitizer, you may be so excited while playing that you forget some essential things. So here is your Guide to Slot Machine Play – Max Bet and Progressives Slots.
Number of Credits – When to Play Max Bet
Well, it depends on the kind of slot machine you are playing. If you are playing a non-progressive machine (no accumulating jackpots), you should bet the amount your bankroll dictates for the time you wish to play. These machines are called Straight Multipliers.
Playing Straight Multipliers

Straight Multipliers payout the same no matter what your bet per line equals. For example, if you bet 25 cents and get paid 25 cents on that pull. If you bet 50 cents and get the same pay combination on the next pull, you receive 50 cents. It’s the same multiplier for all payouts.
John Robinson of the website Casino City suggests one coin per line since the payout will be the same for whatever amount is bet. However, our Guide to Slot Machine Play suggests considering the casino’s perception of your play. The bet and time played are the most critical perks and casino offers. Betting 40 cents a bet instead of $1.20 per bet is a big difference between the casino and its rewards program. But that is a personal choice for every gambler.
Playing Progressive Slot Machines
If you are playing a progressive machine with progressive amounts accumulating, check to see if you need a max bet to be eligible. If so, play max bet. The max bet is the only way to win the massive jackpot on most progressive machines. And remember, the payout percentage on slots with prominent progressives is slightly lower to make up for the eventual higher payout. Some machines offer jackpot choices on even the lowest bet as well.
Types of Progressive Slot Machines
- Standalone Progressives have a jackpot ticker on the game. Only money bet on that specific machine feeds the jackpot. Many are “pay-for-play” machines. You will be eligible for different payouts depending on the number of credits played. The more credits you bet, the more paying combinations are available. Max bet usually includes the jackpot.
- Standalone “Must Hit By” Progressives are different from the standalone jackpots. They accumulate on every bet, but very slowly. The machine has when it has to hit the jackpot. But it can take up to $5 to move the jackpot one penny closer to that “must hit by” amount.

- Local Progressives are games that feature linked jackpots within a specific casino. This network can include as few as a dozen or so machines or a hundred machines—it just depends on the casino. Usually, the jackpots available on these games are under $1,000,000, and often they’re under $100,000. Max Bet is usually required for these machines.
- Wide Area Network Progressives link slot machines from multiple casinos in the same state. This allows the jackpot to accumulate into astronomical sums, often over $1 million and sometimes over $10 million. The most well-known expansive area network progressives brand is the Megabucks games from IGT.
Final Guide to Slot Machine Play Reminder – Play All Lines
Always follow this simple rule – always cover the maximum number of lines. Not betting max lines diminishes the possibility of available payouts, diminishing a slot machine’s payout even more. Many slots today do not give you the option. All options are maxed lines and multiplied automatically for your bet amount.
Related Post – Where Do Old Slot Machines Go?
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