Can You Win Major Jackpots on Smaller Bets?

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Dragon Link Autumn Moon slot denominations

Along the same lines as a recent question around Grand Jackpots we answered here on You Asked, this question goes a slightly different direction around Major Jackpots and bet size:

Do you think it matters on denomination when it comes to winning a major? So can you do it on a penny denomination with only a dollar bet?

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There are a lot of games out there where the Major tends to be the same number/progressive amount regardless of the denomination or bet level you’re playing. For those games, the denomination is less important than your bet amount itself.

The good news is you can win that Major on any bet level – we’ve seen plenty of examples where players can win it on a minimum bet. Higher bets will give players a higher chance at winning it, with the chances proportionally higher based on the bet. So a $1 bet will have twice the chances of winning than a 50 cent bet, generally speaking.

A member of our team has hit multiple majors betting under $2 a spin over the past few years, with two at 88 cent bets, which is the minimum.

There are some types of games where the jackpots change by denomination. Examples of this include the original Ultimate Fire Link, where the progressives differ by bet level, and Buffalo Link or Dollar Storm, where the major can differ on some denominations. 

In those cases, within a denomination, the same rules apply in that higher bets give you proportionally higher chances of winning a jackpot within a denomination. However, because the progressives can differ by denomination, that denomination choice can make a difference.

Here in Palm Springs, where we’re based, there’s an Ultimate Fire Link bank at a local casino with a Mega that’s more than $57,000 as this is written, drastically above the standard $10,000 starting amount. But this crazy high Mega is only on the one cent denomination – change to others, and they’re much smaller. 

So in that example it’s likely smarter to play the one cent denomination, so if you do manage to win that top progressive, the prize is going to be that much bigger.

One final note about Majors – while many games make the Major available at any bet level, not all do – for instance, on games like 88 Fortunes or Dancing Drums, you have to have at least four gold symbols active to be eligible for the Major, which means betting at least 68 cents a spin (when an 8 cent spin is possible). So you do want to make sure that you qualify, and a quick check of those pay tables can affirm this.

Have a question? Submit yours here!

14 Replies to “Can You Win Major Jackpots on Smaller Bets?”

  • Terry Neary says:

    Brian, I have been lucky enough to hit the major on Dancing Drums twice in the last two years, once on a $1.76 bet and most recently (last February) on an 88 cent bet. I assume that result is determined by the RNG right before the bonus symbols are swiped. So, to answer the question, it does happen…infrequently. And that chance being there keeps me playing. Thanks for this and all the great content!

    • FlipTheSwitch.com says:

      Hey Terry! The percentage of the time it will be the mini is high, but there’s still those majors in there – to get two is pretty great! And the chase of them is certainly one aspect that makes the game so fun!

  • Debra Harris Good says:

    Would still like more details on the online platforms Brian plays ie Lucky land or Chumba casinos. How are larger payouts handled like 20,00 sc win, when it says each sc is = $1us. To redeem are taxes also withheld or 1099G filed. Having immunal deficiency makes the option more intriguing to me. Hope you can address these?’s one day. Wishing you the best luck possible

  • P Risi says:

    Did u say Atlantic City? If so when?

    • FlipTheSwitch.com says:

      In a recent story on Facebook Brian noted that it appears Atlantic City may be moving towards a casino smoking ban. If so, he’ll look into a trip, but because the law is still in the works, nothing has been planned yet.

  • Debbie Davis says:

    Brian

    I have never seen anyone win as many times as you at slots. I think it’s ur date of birth mines Feb 13 I am not lucky often like 1 in 10 times I go to casino.My daughter born Sept 26 wins almost 10 out of 10 times.
    Anyway you & ur team keep up the great work of informing us all of your tips, tricks, & videos.
    Take care

    Debbie Davis
    Lacey Wa.
    P.S.
    You look my nefew

    • FlipTheSwitch.com says:

      Hey Debbie! We win a lot because we also lose a lot :) We show the good and the bad on the channel so everyone can see the truth about slots. Thanks for watching!

  • Janet Williamson says:

    My younger sister was playing .50 on a lightning link slot machine and she went into bonus won $14. but also got all 15 balls to drop for over $19,000. She has won the grand over 5 times. Now I play the max usually on a penny slot. I have never played Buffalo Gold collection. I only had just gotten to the casino and just wanted to run my card in a machine so I knew when we went to dinner my food comps would appear. As my husband approached me I had just gotten 3 coins which put me into bonus. 15 gold buffaloes and 114 games later – I won $9126.36. I didn’t get the last of the gold buffaloes until around game 64 and after that it was history for me.

    • FlipTheSwitch.com says:

      Those are both really amazing wins, Janet! And it just shows the potential of some of the games on the casino floor today!

  • Stephanie M says:

    Ive won two grands: 1 on a 5 dollar bet denom one dollar and the other on a 1.50 bet on a penny denom. So yes, it is possible!

  • jacs says:

    usually i lose more than i win,, that said reading all the info passed along here,,,
    i will be trying some different stratagies from now on
    i am always dumping dollars into high dollar slot with lousy results soooo from now on i will be giving the lower slot denoms more play to see what happens
    jacs

    • FlipTheSwitch.com says:

      Hey jacs! While we all lose more than we win, having some strategies to minimize those losses never hurt. Finding that balance to maximize your bankroll is the best we can do!

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