Progressives on Multi-Denominational Machines

17 May 2014

By Jerry Stickman

Dear Frank:

Much thanks for an always interesting column. I read it the day it is sent to me via email. Please keep up the good words.

I have a question concerning Video Poker machines. Here in Vegas, there is a local casino that has a multigame, multi-denominational bank of progressive video poker bar-top machines. I always wondered about this: suppose the progressive is $1500 and you’re playing 25-cent double double bonus. And you hit the royal. You’ll get $1500. But, suppose you were playing 50-cents? Would you still get the $1500, or would you be rewarded with $3000? Just wondering if it is worth playing more than 25-cents on these type of machines.

Thanks again for a GREAT column and even greater advice.

Tom G.

From Frank:

Thanks for your comments about my columns. I passed along your question to our resident video poker expert best selling author Jerry "Stickman," author of "Everything Casino Poker: Get the edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker."


From Jerry "Stickman":

Hi Tom:

Your question is a good one. Many casino players are clueless as to the workings of multidenominational games, and couldn’t care less.

Every multidenominational video poker game I have seen in Las Vegas has separate progressive amounts for each denomination. For example, when the quarter game has a progressive jackpot of $1,500 as in your example, the 50-cent game might have a progressive jackpot of $2,400, and the dollar game might have a jackpot of $4,200. Each denomination keeps a separate jackpot tally. In fact, several multidenominational machines that I am aware of have a progressive for quarter games only and have standard non-progressive games for the 50-cent and dollar games.

Also, speaking of multidenominational games, many have different pay tables depending on the denomination chosen to play. The only thing that will not change when switching denominations is the actual variety of game being played whether it is Jacks or Better, Double Bonus Poker, Double-Double Bonus, etc. Even though these games are on the same physical machine, they are totally separate. Each game can have its own pay table and will have different jackpot amounts.

Best of skill in your casino endeavors.

Jerry “Stickman”