Understanding Exactly What Jackpot in Casino Games Means

what is jackpot

Explore the fundamentals of casino jackpots, including the different types and how they work, in this comprehensive guide...

  • Casino games have differing gameplays and potential payouts

  • None are as alluring as those offering a huge payout

  • Find out everything you need to know about jackpots


What is a Jackpot Exactly?

In its simplest terms, a jackpot in casino jargon is a large cash prize that accumulates and is awarded to a player under certain conditions. This type of prize is commonly found in games of chance, such as online slots and lotteries, but is also present in some table games, including poker.

Jackpot prizes at online casinos, such as Betfair Casino, can range from hundreds to millions of pounds.

There are several types of jackpots in casino games, but they all generally fall within one of the following categories:

jackpot types.png

  • Fixed Jackpot - This is a predetermined amount that does not change with every wager and when it is won. For example, an online slot might offer a fixed Grand Jackpot worth 5,000 times the base wager. In many cases, slot games have three or more fixed jackpots and often include prizes worth tens or hundreds of pounds.
  • Progressive Jackpot - This type of jackpot increases every time a wager is placed. A portion of each bet contributes to the growth of the prize pool, which means that the jackpot can grow to incredible value until it is won. At this point, it reverts to a predetermined baseline value.
  • Local Progressive Jackpot - This type of progressive jackpot grows faster than the standalone version as it is fed by multiple games from a single casino or a single software provider. This means that all bets placed on the local network can result in the jackpot being awarded.
  • Wide Area Progressive Jackpot - This type of progressive jackpot has a much wider reach than local jackpots, connecting multiple casinos and games across different geographical regions. As a result, these jackpots tend to have the highest prize pools which commonly surpass the million-pound mark before being won.

How to Play Casino Jackpot Games

The mechanics of jackpots vary depending on the type of game in which they are found.

Slot Machine Jackpots

Some slot games feature jackpots that can be won randomly, regardless of symbol combinations and paylines. Others are awarded when a certain symbol pattern is created or a minimum number of symbols land on the same payline.

These types of jackpots are generally fixed and the value of the wager does not influence the likelihood of winning them.

With progressive jackpot slots, increasing the value of the wager may make it more likely to win a prize. If this is the case, you'll find this information in the paytable. For the best chance of winning this prize, you should always bet the minimum wager to extend your bankroll as much as possible.

Moreover, since part of every wager contributes towards the prize pools, this category tends to have payout percentages that are lower than the best RTP slots.

Poker Jackpots

When you play regular online poker against other players, you may be participating in a game that's part of a Bad Beat Jackpot network. This special type of jackpot is awarded when a player with a very strong hand that would normally win is beat by an even stronger hand.

Unlike in slot games, when a jackpot in casino poker is won, it is often shared between all the players who were dealt in the hand. No strategy can increase the likelihood of you winning this jackpot, but you can use our other casino betting guides to help you improve your skills like the pros.

On some platforms, it's also possible to win high hand jackpots which, as their name suggests, are awarded when players achieve a particularly strong hand, such as a Royal Flush.

Other Casino Games

Several other casino games, including blackjack, roulette, and video poker, may offer jackpot prizes. These are typically linked to optional side bets or specific outcomes and can be either fixed or progressive. The mechanics of winning these prizes vary, but you will always find instructions in the paytable.

Strategies on How to Play Casino Jackpot Games

Hitting a jackpot is largely a matter of luck, but the following tips can help to increase the likelihood of a win.

  • Familiarise yourself with the game - Take a moment to understand the rules of the game and any conditions which apply to the jackpot prizes, such as a minimum wager.
  • Choose games with higher RTPs - If you've got a choice of jackpot slots with similar top prizes, opt for the ones with higher return-to-player (RTP) percentages as these are likely to pay out more often, extending your bankroll further.
  • Manage your bankroll responsibly - While winning a jackpot is an appealing proposition, you should never wager more funds than you can afford to lose whilst stretching your bankroll with small bets to play as many rounds as possible.
  • Understand the odds of winning - The higher the jackpot's value, the lower the odds of winning will be, so it's important to manage your expectations and realise that only a few lucky players will win these prizes.

Key Takeaways

  • Casino jackpots are mostly present in slots and poker, but can also appear in blackjack, video poker, and other games.
  • Fixed jackpots don't change in value with every wager or when they are awarded. Progressive jackpots increase in value with each wager until they are won, at which point they revert to a predetermined starting value.
  • Some progressive jackpot games have a minimum bet threshold below which your wagers don't participate in the jackpot drop.
  • The Bad Beat Jackpot prize in poker is shared among all participating players.
  • While playing jackpot games is an enticing proposition, you should never wager more than you can afford to lose and should have realistic expectations about your odds of winning.

Prices quoted in copy are correct at time of publication but liable to change.