Progressive jackpot odds when the denomination doesn't affect the JP size

Progressive slot jackpots at online casinos often vary depending on the denomination. For example, for a particular slot, there's a specific jackpot for 25¢ players and a completely separate jackpot for $1 players, each fed by players of the respective denomination.

However, with some progressive slots, the progressive jackpot (PG) amount is the same for all denominations, and the PG is winnable even at the smallest denomination. It seems to me that the only way that's possible (without making the RTP drastically different between big and small denominations), is that the *chances* of hitting the PG go up as you bet more. For example, in one game, sometimes a treasure chest opens, and awards you one out of four items, the best being the PG. I'm thinking that if the odds of getting the PG at the $1 level are 1 in x, then the odds of getting the PG at the $0.25 level must be 1 in 4x, to keep RTP similar across denominations.

This seems simple enough, but maybe I'm missing something. Has anyone here ever programmed one of these, or seen a PAR sheet for such a game?

while my answers to your questions in your last paragraph are "no", what you suggest has to be true to keep the expected value the same across all denominations.

On some slots in Vegas I have seen wording printed on the machines that the odds of hitting the progressive vary by amount bet. So that would somewhat confirm what you suppose.

Quote: rsactuary

On some slots in Vegas I have seen wording printed on the machines that the odds of hitting the progressive vary by amount bet. So that would somewhat confirm what you suppose.

Well, that's pretty much a smoking gun! I'd be delighted if you (or anyone) could send me a picture the next time you come across such wording.

Quote: MichaelBluejay

Progressive slot jackpots at online casinos often vary depending on the denomination. For example, for a particular slot, there's a specific jackpot for 25¢ players and a completely separate jackpot for $1 players, each fed by players of the respective denomination.

However, with some progressive slots, the progressive jackpot (PG) amount is the same for all denominations, and the PG is winnable even at the smallest denomination. It seems to me that the only way that's possible (without making the RTP drastically different between big and small denominations), is that the *chances* of hitting the PG go up as you bet more. For example, in one game, sometimes a treasure chest opens, and awards you one out of four items, the best being the PG. I'm thinking that if the odds of getting the PG at the $1 level are 1 in x, then the odds of getting the PG at the $0.25 level must be 1 in 4x, to keep RTP similar across denominations.

This seems simple enough, but maybe I'm missing something. Has anyone here ever programmed one of these, or seen a PAR sheet for such a game?

I have programmed slots where there is a common progressive jackpot between denominations. On the quarter machine it is 4 times less likely to hit the progressive than if you are playing the dollar denom. Each denom has its own PAR sheet.

I think Nevada Gaming just started allowing this about 5 years ago.

(deleted)

Not sure if this is relevant to what you're speaking of, but I notice an amusing situation where the denomination of certain high limit machines can get so high that the Minor Jackpot, which scales off denom level and is NOT progressive, is actually bigger than a MAXED OUT Major jackpot, which IS progressive and is the same for all denom levels. Take for example this video where a YouTuber bets insane amounts of money on Dragon Cash ($2,500.00 per spin on a $25.00 denom).





So from this we can infer that it's harder to hit the Minor than the Major if the denom gets high enough (he does end up hitting the maxed out Major, at the end of the video, which I imagine is not difficult at that bet level).

(deleted)

I really do not understand the question at all.

I'm sorry, DRich, but I think I figured it out.

Say I'm developing a slot, that is multi-denomination, and can also accept 1-5 coins at each denomination. How do we determine the value of the progressive jackpot (PJ), based on the bet size? My understanding of how it's done is:

For varying the denomination, there are two potential ways to handle it:
(1) Each denomination has its own, distinct PJ. Play at the 25¢ level feeds the 25¢ PJ, play at the $1 level feeds the $1 PJ. -OR-
(2) Chances of hitting the PJ go up at higher denominations.

For varying the number of coins, in most slots you have to play maximum coin to win the PJ, and the PJ value shown to the player doesn't vary by the # of coins played, even though they can't win by playing 1-4 coins. (And although this is the standard, it's not entirely fair; the PJ shouldn't be displayed as though you can win it when you can't. If 1-4 coins are selected, the PJ value should be dimmed and a label saying "Play 5 coins to win progressive".)

If the PJ isn't winnable at 1-4 coins, then the RTP is different for 1-4 coins vs. 5 coins, and that has to be noted on the PAR sheet. If the progressive contribution is 0.5%, then the RTP is 0.5% higher at max coins played.

Howzat?

Quote: MichaelBluejay

I'm sorry, DRich, but I think I figured it out.

Say I'm developing a slot, that is multi-denomination, and can also accept 1-5 coins at each denomination. How do we determine the value of the progressive jackpot (PJ), based on the bet size? My understanding of how it's done is:

For varying the denomination, there are two potential ways to handle it:
(1) Each denomination has its own, distinct PJ. Play at the 25¢ level feeds the 25¢ PJ, play at the $1 level feeds the $1 PJ. -OR-
(2) Chances of hitting the PJ go up at higher denominations.

For varying the number of coins, in most slots you have to play maximum coin to win the PJ, and the PJ value shown to the player doesn't vary by the # of coins played, even though they can't win by playing 1-4 coins. (And although this is the standard, it's not entirely fair; the PJ shouldn't be displayed as though you can win it when you can't. If 1-4 coins are selected, the PJ value should be dimmed and a label saying "Play 5 coins to win progressive".

If the PJ isn't winnable at 1-4 coins, then the RTP is different for 1-4 coins vs. 5 coins, and that has to be noted on the PAR sheet. If the progressive contribution is 0.5%, then the RTP is 0.5% higher at max coins played.

Howzat?
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I think you are on the right track.