Roulette has always been a casino staple, loved for its simplicity and the excitement it brings. But the advent of online casinos has taken the excitement up a notch with the introduction of progressive jackpot roulette. This variation of the classic game not only offers the thrill of the roulette wheel but also the chance to win money. In this article, we delve into the world of progressive jackpot roulette, from how it works to strategies for playing and even some record-breaking wins.
What is Progressive Jackpot Roulette?
Progressive jackpot roulette is a variation of traditional roulette that offers a continually growing jackpot. Similar to progressive slots, each time the game is played, and no one wins the jackpot, the prize pot increases. This means the jackpot continues to grow until one lucky player scoops the prize, causing the jackpot to reset and start growing again.
This new dimension to roulette is incredibly appealing to players, especially those willing to take more risks for the chance to win big. It's important to note that the cost of playing a game with a progressive jackpot should be considered against the potential reward. Each spin of the wheel requires a side bet, which in most cases, has a low probability of winning.
How Progressive Jackpots Pool in Roulette
So how does the jackpot in a game of progressive roulette increase? Every time a player makes a bet on a progressive jackpot slot, a small portion of that bet goes into the jackpot pool. This means that the jackpot increases with each spin of the wheel until a lucky player scoops the prize.
The jackpot then resets to a predetermined amount, known as the "seed". This seed value is often provided by the software developer running the progressive jackpot network. The jackpot then begins to accumulate again, starting from the seed amount.
The progressive jackpot grows based on the number of players participating in the game and the size of their bets. Therefore, the more players and the larger the bets, the faster the jackpot will grow.
How to Play Progressive Jackpot Roulette?
Playing progressive jackpot roulette is similar to playing conventional roulette. The rules and objectives remain the same – predicting the pocket in which the little white ball will land after the wheel stops spinning. However, to qualify for the progressive jackpot, players are required to make a small mandatory side bet on top of their original wager.
This side bet is usually a nominal amount, and it contributes to the overall jackpot. Most of the time, such jackpots are not a fixed amount but continue to grow in small increments until a lucky player collects the prize. Once someone wins, the jackpot starts accumulating all over again, not from scratch, but from the predetermined seed amount.
Types of Bets in Progressive Jackpot Roulette
Betting in progressive jackpot roulette is similar to betting in traditional roulette. Players can choose to place inside and outside bets. However, to be eligible for the progressive jackpot, players must place an additional side bet.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers on the roulette table. These bets include:
- Straight Up: Betting on a single number. This bet pays 35 to 1.
- Split: Betting on two adjacent numbers. Winning split bets pay 17 to 1.
- Three-Line (Street) Bet: Betting on a row of three numbers. A winning three-line bet pays 11 to 1.
- Corner Bet: Betting on four numbers that form a square on the table. A winning corner bet pays 8 to 1.
- Line Bet: Betting on two rows of numbers. A winning line bet pays 5 to 1.
Outside Bets
Outside bets are placed on larger groups of numbers or on a certain characteristic of a number. These bets include:
- Column Bet: Betting on one of the three columns of numbers on the table. A winning column bet pays 2 to 1.
- Dozen Bet: Betting on a group of 12 numbers. A winning dozen bet pays 2 to 1.
- Odd/Even Bet: Betting on whether the winning number will be odd or even. This bet pays even money.
- Red/Black Bet: Betting on whether the winning number will be red or black. This bet pays even money.
- High/Low Bet: Betting on whether the winning number will be low (1-18) or high (19-36). This bet pays even money.
Jackpot Side Bet
The distinguishing feature of progressive jackpot roulette is the jackpot side bet. This bet is separate from the standard wager and contributes to the overall jackpot.
Popular Progressive Jackpot Roulette Games
There are several popular progressive jackpot roulette games. Let's take a look at a few:
Roulette Royale
Roulette Royale, powered by Microgaming, is a favorite among roulette enthusiasts due to its range of potential payouts that significantly exceed those of standard roulette bets. The game is played on a single-zero European wheel with 37 pockets. The jackpot is won when the same number comes up five times in a row. However, the game also offers payouts if the ball lands on the same number twice, thrice, or four times in a row.
Age of the Gods Roulette
Playtech's Age of the Gods Roulette offers a thrilling experience where players can spin the wheel with the gods and potentially win massive rewards. The game features a slot mini game where players can collect matching icons to win up to 100 times the staked amount. The biggest appeal of Age of the Gods Roulette is its multi-level jackpot game, offering a Power, Extra Power, Super Power, and Ultimate Power jackpots.
Dragon Jackpot Roulette
Dragon Jackpot Roulette, another offering from Playtech, is an oriental-themed game that follows the European rules. This game also features a bonus game that gives players a chance to walk away with one of the four progressive jackpots.
Frankie Dettori Jackpot Roulette
Frankie Dettori Jackpot Roulette, powered by Playtech, offers players a chance to enjoy an authentic gaming experience spinning the virtual roulette wheel. The game offers an extra section on the wheel for the bonus feature of the game, providing players with more opportunities to win.
Live Progressive Jackpot Roulette
Some software providers offer live progressive jackpots. Evolution Gaming provides live progressive jackpots but limits the choice to house-banked poker games such as Casino Hold'em, Texas Hold'em, and Caribbean Stud.
Strategies for Playing Progressive Jackpot Roulette
While the outcome of a progressive jackpot slot is determined by a Random Number Generator, there are ways to slightly increase your chances of walking away with the huge prize. One of the most important things when it comes to progressive games is timing. It's worth keeping an eye on the prize pots for different slots and avoiding those that have been won recently.
Another strategy is to stick to a budget. Determine a loss limit that best corresponds to your overall budget and comply with it. If you reach the loss limit you have set for yourself without winning the pot, it's best to stop playing and try again some other day.
Biggest Jackpot Wins
Progressive jackpot roulette games have given out some significant wins over the years. For example, the biggest payout on Microgaming's Roulette Royale was €1,166,462 in 2010. In 2018, a lucky player won €599,380 on the Age of the Gods Live Roulette.
Is Progressive Jackpot Roulette Worth Playing?
Whether or not progressive jackpot roulette is worth playing is a matter of personal preference. If you love the thrill of potentially winning a huge jackpot, then it's definitely worth a try. However, it's crucial to remember that the odds are always in favor of the house, and winning the jackpot is a long shot. As always, the most important thing is to play responsibly and have fun.
Conclusion
Progressive jackpot roulette offers a thrilling and potentially lucrative twist on the classic casino game of roulette. With hefty jackpots and the added excitement of a progressive prize pot, this variation of the game is sure to appeal to both seasoned roulette players and newcomers to the game. As always, play responsibly and remember to enjoy the thrill of the game.