What Triggers A Jackpot On A Slot Machine?

Jackpot slots are some of the most popular online slots because of the size of the potential prize up for grabs. With some eye-catching prizes, it’s no wonder players want to know what triggers a jackpot on a slot machine. 

In this blog post, we’ll be busting some of the most common myths regarding when a slot is about to hit the jackpot. We’ll also share how a slot decides who wins the jackpot and the odds of winning.

Can You Tell If A Slot Machine Is About To Hit The Jackpot? 

Many gamblers believe there are ways to tell if a slot machine will hit. However, there is no way to tell when a slot will hit. The outcome will always be random when you play a jackpot slot – or any slot for that matter, because of the Random Number Generator.

Every slot machine, including progressive and non-progressive jackpot slots, uses a random number generator to determine all outcomes. The RNG is an electronic chip inside a slot that produces thousands of different number sequences every second. 

These number sequences then translate to the symbols you see on the reels. Once you hit spin, the outcome of that spin has been determined. As slots are random, there is no way to tell if it is about to hit the jackpot.

Even though the outcome of a spin is random every time, many rumours speculate otherwise. So let’s go through some of the most common myths regarding what triggers a jackpot slot and debunk them for you.

Myth #1 A jackpot slot won’t payout for a while after it is won

One common misconception is that once someone has won the jackpot, it won’t pay out for a while. However, this is completely false. Each spin is an independent event. Technically, 2 players could win the jackpot in a row, although this is unlikely as the odds favour the casino.

Myth #2 A jackpot is about to hit when the reels wiggle

Some players believe that when the reels wiggle, a big payout is due. However, this is not true. Slots have different sounds and animations to make them more visually entertaining; the reels can move or “wiggle”. This wiggle is simply an exciting element with nothing to do with the slot paying out.

Myth #3 The jackpot hits when it reaches a certain amount

Another myth is that the jackpot is about to hit when it reaches a certain amount. This myth applies to progressive jackpots, where the prize increases every time the game is played. Some players believe the magic number when the jackpot is near is around the 7-figure mark. But this is completely untrue, as slots are a game of chance and are random. Players have won jackpots at different stages many times, so the amounts have been very different.

Myth #4 A player will hit the jackpot after a long losing streak

A popular misbelief is that after a long losing streak, the jackpot will hit. Again, there is no truth to this rumour. Whether you are on a winning streak, a losing streak or are landing wins here and there, none of these situations matter when it comes to winning the jackpot. Each spin is independent, so previous results have no bearing on future outcomes.

How Often Do Slot Machines Hit Jackpots? 

There are various that determine how often a slot machine hits the jackpot. These include the return to player percentage, volatility, hit frequency, the size of the jackpot, and the random number generator.

The volatility of a jackpot slot may indicate how often a slot wins and how much it pays out. Jackpot slots tend to have high volatility, meaning they are likely to pay out less often than lower-volatility ones, but when they do, the prize is generally bigger.

The size of the jackpot may also affect how often it pays out. A slot with a smaller jackpot tends to have lower volatility compared to slots with big jackpots, so they may pay out more frequently.

However, volatility is just a theoretical indicator. The results may differ in reality due to the random nature of slots.

How Do Slot Machines Decide Who Wins? 

All outcomes of a slot machine, including who wins the jackpot, are decided by the Random Number Generator (RNG). The RNG is a complex device inside a slot machine that determines every single outcome of a slot game. Which also includes the outcome of winning the jackpot.

The RNG generates different number sequences – in fact, it generates thousands every millisecond! It happens even when the slot is not in use. When you hit the spin button, the number sequence generated in that instance decides the outcome, which you will see on the screen. 

All slots have an RNG to ensure all players have a fair gaming experience and the same chance of winning.

What Are The Odds Of Winning A Slot Machine Jackpot? 

Determining the odds of winning a slot machine jackpot is quite tricky. The chances of winning the jackpot are very, very tiny, and we know that for sure! As jackpot slots usually have high volatility, wins aren’t likely to occur as frequently as in lower volatility slots, in theory. 

Slot machines with a jackpot have smaller odds of winning compared to slots without jackpots. The obvious reason for this is that the casino has to pay out more money if the jackpot is won, so they balance this by making the jackpot more difficult to win than standard prizes. All casino games, including jackpot slots, have a house edge. Therefore, the casino always has an advantage over the players on slots, even ones with jackpots.

To know the odds of a slot machine, you can take a look at its Return To Player (RTP) percentage. Slots with a low RTP, as jackpot slots do, tend to pay out less to players over time than higher-RTP slots. The odds of winning the jackpot are even lower. The odds of winning a large jackpot on a slot machine can be as little as 1 in 600 million!

*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to this slot game are subject to change at any time.