$500 Slot Machine Jackpot
With an 98% theoretical payback%, your odds of winning is 9.8 wins in 1,000 spins (1000/9.8) or an average of once every 102 spins. In the $500 or Nothing slot, with a $5/spin wager, the odds of winning/average win frequency is the same as above. On the WMS games, it is my understanding that the Minor jackpot starts at $25 and must hit by $50. The Major jackpot starts at $200 and must hit by $500. Based on my own play, the rate of meter rise, for each meter, is 0.00582 times money won. These two images below show two versions of the pertinent rule screen on the WMS games. The Pinball slot machine by IGT/Barcrest is a classic and can be found in many high-limit rooms! If you're new, Subscribe! → http://bit.ly/Subscribe-TBPWhat. Amazingly, a 25 cent machine can pay out as much as $200,000. Many jackpots reach into the realms of $500,000 before a lucky winner hits. Normally $1 and $5 machines start the jackpot at $1 million. Progressive jackpot slot machines are linked together, either within a casino, a state or in fact the whole country. This win is the second major jackpot hit at Pala Casino is recent weeks, following the $143,373.90 jackpot win by Onesimo T. Onesimo won big on the Wheel of Fortune Triple Double Diamond Slot Machine, a part of a Wide Area Progressive network across California operated by International Game Technology PLC.
- Appendices
- Slots Analysis
- Miscellaneous
Introduction
A must-hit-by jackpot, sometimes called a mystery jackpot, is one that is guaranteed to hit by a certain point. There are two good things about a large jackpot:
- The jackpot itself is larger.
- The probability of winning it is greater.
As with any progressive game, at some point the jackpot becomes large enough to sway the odds in the player's favor. This page will examine these 'target points' on some new slots by WMS with mystery jackpots. If you're interested in must-hit-by progressives on Ainsworth slots, please see my separate page on that.
This page assumes that a jackpot is equally likely to trigger anywhere between the starting value and must-hit-by maximum. This seems to be true for all makers except AGS. The reader should be warned that AGS must-hit-by jackpots tend to hit near the must-hit-by-point. For example, on a version of River Dragons, where the large jackpot starts at $4,000 and must hit by $5000, I calculate the average point it does hit is $4,945.49. So, please do not apply the information in this page to AGS machines.
General Rules
Following are generally how must-hit-by progressives work.
- The jackpot starts at a defined minimum amount.
- A point at which the jackpot will hit is randomly chosen on a uniform distribution between the starting value and maximum possible jackpot.
- A certain percentage of money bet, known as the 'meter rise,' will be directed towards the jackpot.
- When the meter crosses the predestined win point the player will be awarded the jackpot.
The WMS jackpot games are different from the usual Mystery Jackpot games in two ways:
- There are two jackpots.
- The meter rises by the amount won, not the amount bet.
On the WMS games, it is my understanding that the Minor jackpot starts at $25 and must hit by $50. The Major jackpot starts at $200 and must hit by $500. Based on my own play, the rate of meter rise, for each meter, is 0.00582 times money won.
These two images below show two versions of the pertinent rule screen on the WMS games.
Math
The general formula for the Target Point can be given as:
t = m × (h + r) / (h + 2r), where:t = Target Point
m = Max jackpot
r = Rise of meter rate
h = House edge of game (taking into consideration the average value of the progressive)
An unknown piece to this equation is h, the house edge of the game. No casino is going to tell you exactly what a given slot machine is set to. So, you may have to resort to industry averages. The following table shows the averages for Clark County, Nevada (where Las Vegas is). You can see for penny slots, which Mystery Progressives tend to be on, the overall house edge is 10.77%.
Clark County Slot Win to 11/1/2017 to 10/31/2018
| Denomination | Casino Win (pct) |
|---|---|
| $0.01 | 9.97% |
| $0.05 | 5.54% |
| $0.25 | 7.11% |
| $1.00 | 6.34% |
| $5.00 | 5.51% |
| $25.00 | 4.99% |
| $100.00 | 6.22% |
| Megabucks | 12.34% |
| Multi-denomination | 5.26% |
| Total | 6.82% |
Source: Nevada Gaming Control Board, Gaming Revenue Report for 12-month period ending October 31, 2018 (PDF, see page 4).
Although the information is a bit dated, you may wish to also consider the returns of random games I sampled in my page on Slot Machine Odds in Las Vegas. All things considered, I think it is safe to assume a house edge of 8% to 12% in Las Vegas. The nicer the casino and closer to the Strip the casino is, the higher the house edge will generally be. Outside of Vegas, you're on your own.
WMS Target Points
The math for the WMS games gets rather complicated because of the two jackpot and that they go up by amount won, not amount bet. So, you'll have to take it on faith that the tables below are correct.
The first table shows the Target Point for the Major jackpot, according to the house edge on the game and the amount of the Minor jackpot. In most situations, it will need to be about $482.
Major Jackpot Target Points
$500 Slot Machine Jackpots
| Minor Jackpot | House Edge | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14% | 12% | 10% | 8% | 6% | |
| $25 | $484.82 | $482.32 | $479.03 | $474.47 | $467.77 |
| $26 | $484.78 | $482.27 | $478.95 | $474.36 | $467.59 |
| $27 | $484.74 | $482.22 | $478.87 | $474.24 | $467.40 |
| $28 | $484.70 | $482.15 | $478.78 | $474.11 | $467.19 |
| $29 | $484.64 | $482.08 | $478.69 | $473.96 | $466.96 |
| $30 | $484.59 | $482.01 | $478.58 | $473.80 | $466.69 |
| $31 | $484.53 | $481.92 | $478.46 | $473.62 | $466.40 |
| $32 | $484.45 | $481.82 | $478.32 | $473.42 | $466.07 |
| $33 | $484.38 | $481.72 | $478.16 | $473.18 | $465.69 |
| $34 | $484.29 | $481.59 | $477.99 | $472.92 | $465.25 |
| $35 | $484.18 | $481.45 | $477.78 | $472.61 | $464.74 |
| $36 | $484.06 | $481.28 | $477.55 | $472.24 | $464.13 |
| $37 | $483.92 | $481.09 | $477.27 | $471.81 | $463.41 |
| $38 | $483.75 | $480.86 | $476.93 | $471.30 | $462.53 |
| $39 | $483.55 | $480.58 | $476.52 | $470.66 | $461.44 |
| $40 | $483.30 | $480.23 | $476.01 | $469.85 | $460.04 |
| $41 | $482.99 | $479.78 | $475.35 | $468.81 | $458.18 |
| $42 | $482.57 | $479.20 | $474.48 | $467.40 | $455.60 |
| $43 | $482.01 | $478.40 | $473.26 | $465.38 | $451.78 |
| $44 | $481.21 | $477.23 | $471.44 | $462.27 | $445.53 |
| $45 | $479.95 | $475.35 | $468.43 | $456.84 | $433.44 |
| $46 | $477.72 | $471.89 | $462.52 | $444.97 | $400.25 |
| $47 | $472.64 | $463.29 | $445.49 | $398.35 | |
The second table shows the Target Point for the Minor jackpot, according to the house edge on the game and the amount of the Major jackpot. In most situations, it will need to be about $48.
Minor Jackpot Target Points
| Major Jackpot | House Edge | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14% | 12% | 10% | 8% | 6% | |
| $200 | $48.50 | $48.25 | $47.93 | $47.49 | $46.84 |
| $210 | $48.49 | $48.25 | $47.93 | $47.48 | $46.83 |
| $220 | $48.49 | $48.25 | $47.92 | $47.47 | $46.82 |
| $230 | $48.49 | $48.24 | $47.92 | $47.47 | $46.81 |
| $240 | $48.49 | $48.24 | $47.91 | $47.46 | $46.79 |
| $250 | $48.48 | $48.23 | $47.90 | $47.45 | $46.78 |
| $260 | $48.48 | $48.23 | $47.90 | $47.44 | $46.76 |
| $270 | $48.47 | $48.22 | $47.89 | $47.42 | $46.74 |
| $280 | $48.47 | $48.22 | $47.88 | $47.41 | $46.72 |
| $290 | $48.46 | $48.21 | $47.87 | $47.40 | $46.70 |
| $300 | $48.46 | $48.20 | $47.86 | $47.38 | $46.67 |
| $310 | $48.45 | $48.19 | $47.85 | $47.36 | $46.64 |
| $320 | $48.45 | $48.18 | $47.83 | $47.34 | $46.61 |
| $330 | $48.44 | $48.17 | $47.82 | $47.32 | $46.57 |
| $340 | $48.43 | $48.16 | $47.80 | $47.29 | $46.52 |
| $350 | $48.42 | $48.15 | $47.78 | $47.26 | $46.47 |
| $360 | $48.41 | $48.13 | $47.75 | $47.22 | $46.41 |
| $370 | $48.39 | $48.11 | $47.73 | $47.18 | $46.34 |
| $380 | $48.38 | $48.09 | $47.69 | $47.13 | $46.25 |
| $390 | $48.36 | $48.06 | $47.65 | $47.07 | $46.14 |
| $400 | $48.33 | $48.02 | $47.60 | $46.99 | $46.00 |
| $410 | $48.30 | $47.98 | $47.54 | $46.88 | $45.82 |
| $420 | $48.26 | $47.92 | $47.45 | $46.74 | $45.56 |
| $430 | $48.20 | $47.84 | $47.33 | $46.54 | $45.18 |
| $440 | $48.12 | $47.72 | $47.14 | $46.23 | $44.55 |
| $450 | $48.00 | $47.54 | $46.84 | $45.68 | $43.34 |
| $460 | $47.77 | $47.19 | $46.25 | $44.50 | $40.02 |
| $470 | $47.26 | $46.33 | $44.55 | $39.84 | |
Example: You suspect the Minor jackpot may be high enough to play. The Major jackpot is at $300 and you assume a house edge of 10%. The table above shows the Target point is $47.86.
AGS Warning
This page assumes that a jackpot is equally likely to trigger anywhere between the starting value and must-hit-by maximum. This seems to be true for all makers, except AGS. The reader should be warned that AGS must-hit-by jackpots almost never hit until they are near the must-hit-by point. For example, the large jackpots are supposed to hit by $5,000, but it is rumored in the advantage player slot community that they rarely hit below $4,990. So, please do not apply the information in this page to AGS machines.
Further Reading
- The Secret World of Video Poker Progressives, by Frank Kneeland
- Million Dollar Slots by Peter Liston
Written by: Michael Shackleford
Free to Play IGT Slots Online
Wheel of Fortuneslot machines have been around casino floors so long they’re nearly impossible to miss. Any regular casino-goer has surely noticed the large, colorful, spinning wheels perched atop the otherwise normal slot machines.
Stemming from one of the most popular game shows of all time, Wheel of Fortune’s music, sound effects, and the wheel itself have become unmistakable in American culture. It’s these features of the show that create the basis for the Wheel of Fortune slot machines by IGT.
Wheel. of. Fortune!
It doesn’t take much to sell a game based on another game already with millions of fans. Whether it’s the distinctive ding of a new letter being revealed, or the final bonus puzzle countdown music, or from the sight of the wheel itself, any Wheel of Fortune game show fan is certain to immediately recognize the slot machine on a casino floor.
And for any fans with dreams of spinning the wheel themselves, this game can provide at least a taste of what that might be like.
Wheel of Fortune slot machines are often standard three-reel machines with typical symbols and paylines. They’re differentiated by the obvious Wheel of Fortune game show theme and the even more obvious giant wheel.
As a novelty, Wheel of Fortune slots are attractive to slot experiencers. The allure of spinning the wheel and having it quite literally dictate their fortune could definitely be enough to sway an experiencer to play.
The Wheel
Earning spins on the wheel can be very valuable. Depending on the specific machine and stakes, a spot on the wheel is usually worth between 20 and 1000 credits. Earning spins is reasonably common, too.
A standard three-reel WoF slot simply needs the “spin” symbol to appear on the payline of the third reel. This ensures players will likely get to experience the Wheel of Fortune aspect of the game. It also guarantees that each play on the slot machine is itself suspenseful. No matter what shows up on the first two reels, a potentially lucrative spin of the wheel may be approaching.
The best-known and most popular WoF slots work like this: they have three reels, a few standard paylines, and a large wheel above the machine. But the strong popularity of the WoF slots has created the opportunity for variations, most notably the three-wheeled, five-reeled Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin. This game provides more action and more winning combinations than the traditional WoF slots while also giving the player a more interactive experience with the bonus game wheels.
To start this bonus game, a player needs at least three spin symbols to appear among the five reels. Once the bonus game begins, the player will select an envelope, like the winning contestant on the WoF game show would do for their bonus game, for each spin symbol that appeared on their reels.
At least three envelopes will be selected every time the bonus game is played. This is because at least three spin symbols are required to start the game. Each envelope corresponds to getting a result on one of the three wheels — two of which having amounts to win and the other having multipliers.
Players can even attain special multipliers if more than three spin symbols are used to activate the game. In this way, players can win huge amounts of money by getting lucky and having large prizes supplemented by large multipliers.
No matter the specific WoF slot, the potential to spin the big wheel(s) will always be one of the main draws. And it would likely be the biggest draw if it weren’t for one thing…
Progressive jackpots on Wheel of Fortune slots
WoF slot machines offer some of the largest progressive jackpot prizes anywhere. The 25-cent machines offer a jackpot that starts at $200,000 and steadily rises. The jackpot frequently reaches over $500,000 before being hit.
The $1 and $5 machines offer a jackpot that starts at $1 million. A WoF machine’s jackpot is linked to all other machines of the same stakes that offer the progressive jackpot in the state of Nevada. The amounts will be reset on all machines to their (still quite lofty) starting amounts whenever the jackpot is hit.
To be eligible for a progressive jackpot on these machines, players must play max credits on their spin. Max credits are three for the 25-cent machines and two for the $1 and $5 machines.
Not all WoF slots have this progressive jackpot, but the jackpot has undoubtedly become a staple of the brand.
With a unique money-making opportunity at a relatively low cost, the WoF progressive jackpots are certain to attract jackpot hunters. And when the jackpot amount swells to unusually high numbers, many seekers who don’t spend much of their time playing slots will make their way to the WoF machines in hopes of life-changing encounter.
What to expect from Wheel of Fortune slot games
With big money wheel opportunities and enormous progressive jackpots, the money swings on many WoF slots will also be substantial. Money will come and money will go. And perhaps it’ll come again, but it won’t be slow.
Players may well sit down at one of these machines with only 20 to 30 credits and go on a long dry streak. But if that luck does come, it’s entirely reasonable for $20 to become $500 within a matter of minutes. Either way, WoF slot machines are not for the faint of heart.
$500 Slot Machine Jackpot Videos
Hinged to a game show that has been successful for over 40 years, these slots don’t seem to have any end in sight. A solid game with potential for huge money, fun times, and the intrigue of a life-altering progressive jackpot will never have trouble finding players waiting to be the next winner.
