When playing slot machines at either a land based or online casino there is no skill involved in pulling the handle or pushing the button. Understanding what the machine pays and what you goals are is what you can control. If you know what to look for you will enjoy your experience more.

Progressive online slots are played the same as regular slot machines; the difference between them is in the payouts. Progressive slot jackpots are constantly increasing in value. The value of the progressive slot is usually displayed on a large board in traditional casinos and on screen in online casinos. In a land based casino these boards are hung above the bank of machines and can be spotted from across the casino.

Progressive slots machines are a pre-determined group of machines that are networked together. These machines do not need to be in the same location. They are often networked between several land based casinos or even online casinos. Every time a player makes a wager at any of these machines a percentage goes towards the progressive jackpot. The progressive jackpot is the largest payout at these machines and can be won at any slot machine that is part of the network.

The most important thing for the player to remember is that they must play the maximum amount of coins in order to win the jackpot. There is no reason to play a progressive slot machine if you are not going to play the maximum. Each winning combination on these machines pays slightly less than they would on a regular machine. They play slightly less because the extra money goes towards the progressive jackpot.

The progressive jackpot continues to grow until one player hits it big. After someone hits the jackpot, it resets and goes back to its minimum payout and starts to grow again. Payouts on progressive slot machines can range from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars. The more difficult it is to win the progressive jackpot the more it will usually pay. This also depends on how popular the progressives are.

All sots work basically the same way. The differences are in the cabinet that they are stored in and the pictures on the screen. You simply add credits, insert your coins or add cash or maybe a card and then press a button. The button or lever activates the machine. All slot machines work on the same principle. A random number generator determines the outcome, and then the symbols on the screen represent this outcome.

Slot machines pay winners based on a payout schedule. A payout schedule is how much each winning combination pays. Some machines pay more on the smaller wins and less on larger wins. Others, such as progressives, pay much more on the top jackpots and much less on the lower winning combinations. You need to determine what your goals are. Are you trying to play for as long as possible, or are you trying to win the biggest jackpot? Reasons for Playing at a machine which pays more for lesser combinations is the fact that your chances of winning the large jackpot are a lot lower than winning smaller payouts.

By Dave Daniels
For more information on online casinos and online gambling