Jackpots are truly the most desirable of online casino prizes, aren’t they? Imagine you’re playing at one of the best slot siteswhen the reels hit just right and, yes, you managed to get the big one! These prizes have been around for quite a while, but recently online casinos saw the addition of something new - jackpot drop slots. Ever seen these and wondered what they involved? Then wonder no more, as we’re going to explain all about jackpot drop slots, as well as the jackpots you can find at your favourite casino sites.
Slot Sites Offers in Ireland
Advertiser Disclosure: At Gambling Zone, we may earn a referral commission if you sign up through links on our site. This helps support our work and does not influence our independent reviews or ratings.
What is a Jackpot?
You all almost certainly know what a jackpot is, but just in case here’s a brief refresher. The term “jackpot” has been around since 1881, and like nowadays back then it described a significant prize that could be won through gambling, specifically by playing poker. A few years later it started being used for slot machines which had larger than average potential winnings. Eventually, by around the 1980s, the term jackpot was adopted by the casino industry as a whole and, soon enough, online casinos.
The Different Types of Jackpots: Fixed and Progressive
Jackpots, regardless of variety, come in two main types - fixed and progressive. Fixed jackpots are the traditional type of jackpots, as these have a, well, fixed size. Also known as flat jackpots, you can find how much this is worth by checking the game’s About section. Sometimes online casinos may also offer a fixed jackpot prize as part of a tournament or a promotional event.
Progressive jackpots, on the other hand, grow over time. The provider first puts a seed amount in the jackpot before people start playing, which is when a small part of each stake put in the game goes towards the jackpot prize. In turn this can work on a local level, with just the players at your online casinos, or global, with the stakes wagered across multiple online casinos across the world. Whichever the case progressive jackpot games typically display the prize’s current value in a panel on the side of the screen.
How Do You Win a Jackpot?
Winning a jackpot, like everything else in slots, boils down to chance. This will involve either landing a required amount of jackpot symbols, which is how the Mega Moolah games do it, or simply on any random spin without need for specific special symbols to hit. Some jackpot networks, such as Red Tiger’s, promise to boost your chances of winning a jackpot in proportion to the size of your stake. Whichever is the case, always check the details regarding jackpots in the game’s About section.
What Are Drop Jackpots?
What Are Drop Jackpots
With this knowledge of the different types of jackpot prizes in mind, we get to this blog’s main topic, Drop Jackpots. Simple - these are jackpots that have to be won, or drop, by a set time or date. This drop feature is typically tied to progressive jackpots, as it makes for an exciting combination. Players are able to see the value of the jackpot growing in the side panel, all while the clock ticks down. Drop jackpots can come in three varieties - Daily, Hourly, and Must Drop. Let’s see what each of these involve!
Daily Drop Jackpots
As the name suggests, Daily Drop jackpots are ones that can be won on set time within a 24 hour period. This makes the game particularly exciting, since you can go ahead and play an hour, if not minutes, before the time limit and take a chance at the big prize! Daily drop jackpots are generally progressive, growing as more people play, and can reach very decent amounts. That said, note that daily drop jackpots don’t have to be won, and if no one manages to trigger the jackpot feature then the prize will reset back to its initial amount. The same goes if someone manages to win it, of course.
Hourly Drop Jackpots
Hourly drop jackpots are the same deal as daily drops, only on an hourly basis. Depending on the game this must be won by the time the hour is over or it can reset back to its initial amount if it happens to be a progressive prize. Hourly drop jackpots tend to be smaller than daily drops but being more frequent means one can take their chances to win one more often.
Must Drop Jackpots
One of the most interesting types of prizes, Must Drop jackpots are progressive jackpots that must be won before they reach a set amount. This means that if a Must Drop jackpot is set at €1,000 then someone will win the prize, no matter its current value, before it grows to that total. Once the prize is won the process starts all over again until, once again, the Must Drop prize is won.
Drop in a Game and Take a Jackpot Chance!
Drop jackpots mean not only a chance at a big prize, but also more slot fun. After all, you get to feel more anticipation with each spin, as you wonder whether this will be the one that can lead to the jackpot. Most often this won’t be the case, but slots are games played for entertainment and the hope of winning is where the fun truly is!
That said, it’s crucial that you always play slots responsibly. Set a bankroll for playing at your favourite slot site, and stick to it. Make small bets so that your bankroll lasts longer, and remember that these are games of chance. This means they have no such thing as hot or cold streaks, not even when you’re going after the jackpot. Enjoy slots in a safe and responsible way, and that way you’ll get the most out of these games.
