Max Bet in Online Slot Games: Only Way to Get the Jackpot?

Online slots have churned out some of the most ridiculous wins in casino history through jackpots. Playing the max bet is the best way to win the jackpot in a slots game – deposit & play Ted.
Therefore, many gamers are curious; is it the only way? And if it is, are slot games rigged?
At the end of this article, you will discover why both assumptions are wrong.
How Jackpots are Won in Online Slot Games
The jackpot is the highest possible payout in any slot game. Different slots have different methods of winning as well as different jackpot types.
One of the oldest slots, the Liberty Bell, had its highest payout at 50 nickels which was won when three bell symbols appeared. However, there are two major ways to trigger the jackpot in online slots today:
- The jackpot can be activated when you align specified symbols in a specific payline. It is usually the highest paying symbol that needs to be aligned across the reels to win the jackpot.
- The jackpot can be activated in a bonus game. The bonus game itself would also require certain symbols to be activated. Some games provide three jackpot tiers for players, e.g. Minor Jackpot, Major Jackpot, Mega Jackpot.
Is the Max Bet Necessary for Slots Jackpot?
There are two broad classifications for the types of jackpots out there:
- Classic Jackpots – These jackpots are mostly fixed at a certain amount.
- Progressive Jackpots – These jackpots have a specific starting amount, but the jackpot increases the more people wager on the game.
With classic jackpots, the max bet option is not the only way to win. You simply need to look at the paytable to find out the payout for the jackpot. It goes without saying then that the max bet will get you the highest possible amount that you can get on the jackpot.
However, with progressive jackpots, the jackpot is generally awarded only to max bet players. The progressive jackpot is a percentage of the house edge that is being awarded back to lucky players.
Fairness of Online Slot for Progressive Jackpots
Since the max bet is required to win progressive jackpots, can we then say that the game is fair and not rigged? And the answer is yes, the game is fair. The max bet is simply a product of the highest bet per line and the total paylines available.
This means that when you play the max bet, you are contributing the highest possible amount to the pool. Also, you are making use of every possible combination to activate the jackpot itself, either directly or through the bonus round. This does not affect the fact that the Random Number Generator is still influencing the results you see from each spin.
Conclusion
The max bet is not compulsory for all types of jackpot offers out there. However, the max bet is important in all jackpot types. This is because it is required to win progressive jackpots, and it is useful to get the best possible win with classic jackpots.