From tasty turkey and dressing to delectable desserts, players can now score some excellent rewards via Jackpot Party’s new Platter Gather event. Platter Gather allows you to spin and collect Thanksgiving dinner items for delicious rewards! Keep reading to find out how to grab your own share of these prizes and get in on the holiday excitement. How Does Platter Gather Work? Platter Gather offers players a chance to go beyond simply spinning reels on the slots. Those competing on qualifying slots can collect Thanksgiving items along the way. Players will see the following pop-up as an introduction to the event:  Which slots qualify? Simply look for the plate and silverware icon in the top left corner of the qualifying slots as seen here. This allows players to gather some delicious dishes for the Platter Gather Thanksgiving meal such as: Corn Pumpkin pie Canned goods Rolls Party pass Coins Players can live like the Pilgrims in Platter Gather with a nice winning Thanksgiving Dinner on the line. Those who score well may be giving thanks for their own good fortune at the slots. Winning Ways As you play and complete dinner sets to track your progress while spinning, a small icon to the right of your screen will pop out to let you know if a reward is ready to collect, share how much you’ve collected for a set and much more! The bigger your bet, the likelihood of earning a food item increases. As you collect more food icons, graphical pop-ups will let you know your progress in collecting these platters. Those who collect all of a certain items can then claim some big rewards – another reason for some Thanksgiving celebration. The Platter Gather Quest Isn’t Over Those who go all the way and collect all their platters can still get in on the fun. Once a player has collected all the food items, an even bigger Thanksgiving awaits. All food items then regenerate and players can continue their journey in collecting items for the perfect feast. Only now these items reward even more, allowing players to keep the fun going. Jackpot Party’s Platter Gather feature is the perfect addition to Thanksgiving for slot players. Look for those plate-and-utensil symbols on some of your favorite games – a hearty helping of rewards awaits. Good luck!

It’s the dream of most slot machine players – seeing those reels align just right for a massive payday. Whether playing in a brick-and-mortar casino, online, or in a social gaming environment, seeing a huge jackpot is at least a goal to some degree for many players. Whether it’s a mini, major, or minor jackpot, landing some of those nice winnings can go a long way toward turning that time at a slot into a winning session. Players may face longer odds to winning those truly massive progressive six- and seven-figure jackpots, but it’s at least possible. But smaller jackpots happen more frequently and players face smaller odds in landing some of those less-stellar paydays. So what are the odds of hitting a slot machine jackpot? Do players really have a chance to win? Are there certain ways to play that might lead to a jackpot? This article hopes to answer some of those types of questions. Keep reading to learn more about what odds slot players face in winning a jackpot. What’s a Jackpot? Those new to slots may not realize exactly what a jackpot is. A jackpot is generally considered a much larger payout than one might find on a normal spin of the reels. The pay lines on a modern slot machine offer numerous ways a player can theoretically win. However, not all of those are considered jackpots. These larger payouts are much rarer and may even require what is called a “hand pay” at a live casino. This means that a member of the casino staff has to pay out a player personally “by hand” because the jackpot is so high. That may also require a winner filling out a tax form, although that may not be a major concern considering you’ve just hit it big. These jackpots mean that a player will usually see multiple symbols that occur less frequently on a single spin. A player faces much longer odds in seeing events like this happen. Sometimes these wins may also come in bonus games or free spins. These are extra winning opportunities a player receives by seeing certain symbols in the game to trigger these bonus opportunities. The chances of winning larger prizes may be better in these bonus games, but not necessarily for those much larger jackpots. Types of Jackpots Players hoping for a big jackpot always have a shot at a larger payout at least to some degree. But it’s important to remember that a casino has a house edge when it comes to slot machines. There is no legal way to overcome this such as card counting in blackjack or gaining a skill edge at the poker tables. Luck is a key factor in playing a slot machine and especially in winning one of those massive jackpots that make headlines. However, jackpots of various types are available for those who take a seat at a slot machine or play online. Here’s a look at a few types. Mini Jackpot – These are smaller jackpots one might find playing a typical slot machine in a casino. These usually come about by triggering certain bonuses or finding a certain number of key symbols on the reels. These may include multipliers that increase a player’s winnings. Mini jackpots are much more common than larger payouts. Obviously the higher the jackpot, the longer the odds are of hitting it. This is the first tier usually on a slot machine’s jackpot sequence. Major Jackpot – This is a larger jackpot than the Mini version and the second tier of larger payouts on a slot games. As expected, players face larger odds at achieving this level. While on a penny machine a Mini Jackpot may be $50 to $100, a Major may bring a few hundred dollars. Minor Jackpot – This is the third tier of jackpot and sees that potential payout rise even more. This is a more difficult level to reach because of the longer odds involved. This type of jackpot could register a few thousand dollars for a lucky player. This may not be life-changing money, but any player would be happy to see the bells and whistles on a machine go off to advertise this type of win. Mega Jackpot – This is a really hefty payout as the name implies. A player hitting a Mega Jackpot has really accomplished something and can usually expect a payout of up to tens of thousands of dollars at least heading their way. These can be huge payouts and don’t come around everyday for slot players. They are more difficult to achieve with longer odds. Progressive Jackpot – This are that colossal seven-figure and higher jackpots that might even make headlines in the new media. A progressive slot is tied into other machines throughout a certain state or territory. With so many machines feeding money into the prize pool, these potential payouts can get truly astronomical. The odds of winning these types of jackpots can be astronomical as well. Some jackpots may also vary or have slightly different names than those above, but this is the general sequence and names for slot machine jackpots. Some players may also see payouts called Local Jackpots, which are similar to progressives but may include players in a pool smaller than a traditional progressive but still achieving larger jackpots than traditional games. Huge jackpots in these games can also be rare as well. Odds of Winning a Jackpot As noted above, hitting those massive jackpot payouts isn't easy. The reason those huge paydays make news is because they’re not only handing a player massive money, but they’re also extremely rare considering the number of players pumping credits into slot machines around the world each day. The largest jackpot in history came in 2003 at the Excalibur casino in Las Vegas. A software engineer played about $100 in a Megabucks, a popular progressive machine seen at casinos around the world. When three Megabucks symbols stacked up on screen, this player struck gold – taking home $39.7 million. So what are the odds of actually winning a million-dollar jackpot, not even one at these gargantuan levels as won at the Excalibur? There are numerous intricacies in each game that can make this vary, but in general, many experts concede that the odds of hitting that kind of jackpot come in the range of 50 million to one or even as high as 100 million to one. Just as a comparison, the odds of getting struck by lightning are about one in a million, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. That shows just how difficult it is to win one of these life-changing prizes. Also, playing progressives to win at this level usually requires betting at the max-bet level and at higher stakes. This gives a player an opportunity to win, but those odds at huge payouts are still long. Here are a few pros and cons of playing progressive slots: PROS chances at larger payouts usually better RTP (return to player) usually, better comps/rewards because of higher limits better chances at smaller wins because of higher RTP CONS can deplete a bankroll at higher betting stakes RTP may not be that much better depending on individual games may have more limited game options, depending on the casino or online site Does that mean a player shouldn’t hop in a casino for some fun or fire up the computer or mobile device for some online slots? Certainly not. Slots should be seen as a form of entertainment only with a chance that you could actually win some money on a gambling excursion. Players regularly win smaller jackpots and these are much more likely than a massive progressive jackpot. A few nice scores and a winning session can make for a fun night spinning those slot machine reels. Jackpots: Online Versus Live Casinos As noted, the odds of hitting massive jackpots are long. Online slot players face similar odds, but there are some opportunities to win major payouts at a virtual casino as well. Players playing online or on social media platforms, such as at Jackpot Party, can expect some opportunities to see some major boosts to their credits if those reels line up just right. Do slots pay out better than live casinos when it comes to slot games? Probably not. Your chances of winning largely depend on the RTP of each game, whether in a casino or in an online setting. There are numerous online sources that offer the RTP of individual casinos, whether in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, London, Monte Carlo, or some other location around the world. Many RTP rates are also available for online casinos. An RTP rate can also vary by games, and that can often be found online as well. A game or casino with a 96% RTP has a better shot at winning than at a game or property with a 92% RTP. Players having some fun playing in a social gaming environment are usually playing simply for virtual coins and player rewards within the game. These types of games usually pay out more regularly than a real casino. The operator hopes to keep players at the games and there isn't really any money involved. Frequently Asked Questions Do I have a chance at winning a huge slot machine jackpot? More than likely not because these levels of payouts are so rare and players face extremely long odds. You do have more opportunities at smaller jackpots, however, which can also come with nice payouts. What are the odds of winning a progressive jackpot? The odds of winning a seven-figure jackpot may be as high as 50 million or 100 million to one. However, smaller jackpots can come with much lower odds and regularly reward players with some big payouts bth in live and online casinos. What’s a way to reduce the odds against a player winning? Play games with higher RTP (return to player). This is the percentage of money in a slot that a casino pays out to players. The higher the RTP, the more likely a player has a chance at a winning session.

A few things instantly stand out when taking a seat at a slot machine or grabbing that mobile phone to play online. The reels are certainly a key part of the game, but those symbols on each reel are also what many players are attracted to. Today’s slot developers work to appeal to a broad range of casino players looking to win at the slots. That includes plenty of high-tech sound and graphics as well as unique features that seem to offer players numerous ways to win. These manufacturers also feature every theme and character imaginable and make use of these as part of the symbols on each machine. Along with numerous characters and other unique images, designs, and patterns spinning on those reels, developers also work in some additional slot symbols to add even more fun and winning options on each game. Designers also still work in classic slot symbols as well and that creativity carries over to online slots and social gaming platforms as well. Continue reading to learn more about slot machine symbols and their significance to these games. History of Slot Machine Symbols The first slot machines were created in 1887 in San Francisco by 29-year-old German immigrant Charles Fey. The machinist envisioned a fun game for patrons in saloons and gambling halls, reaching business deals with numerous establishments to split revenue his slot machines generated. The first game was called the Liberty Bell and the term “slot” machine comes from those early games that featured a slot to insert a nickel. Fey’s original games featured three reels and he was the first person to envision such a device. Liberty Bells paid out players in nickels, but certain combinations awarded a gambler with free cigars or drinks. These were the first “comps” sent a slot machine player’s way. That early machine may have been primitive by today’s standards, but the visionary inventor spawned what would become an industry worth billions of dollars with slots now the most popular games in a casino by far. Fey’s early machines used mechanical reels to determine winners’s chances of winning and symbols to show the result of each spin. Those Liberty Bell games used fruits, playing cards, and, of course, bell symbols to add to the game’s visual presentation and give players some images to associate with winning and losing spins. Fey’s devices were a hit. “His machines were an immediate success, and he couldn’t manufacture enough of them in his small workshop to supply the demand in and around San Francisco,” Scarne’s Complete Guide to Gambling notes. “Gambling equipment manufacturers soon discovered this and tried to buy the manufacturing and distribution rights, but Fey refused all offers.” Interestingly, some of those same early symbols remain on many machines found in casinos today. Playing cards and suits remain very common on many video slots of today, although may not be among the highest-paying symbols. Those looking to win at slots now are usually looking for more exotic symbols to appear. Those playing cards as symbols made a big impact on the games and became so popular in games in Australia and New Zealand that they became known as poker machines. That was eventually simply shortened by most to “pokies.” The fruit symbols must have become more common in England because slots became known as “fruit machines” or “fruities” in that country – and the term remains popular today. One other classic slot symbol is the bar. These may seem like an odd and rather dull item to see on a gambling device looking to draw players in to wager some of their hard-earned money. These horizontal stripes can make a solo appearance on slot reels or come in doubles and triples. So from where does this classic symbol derive? In 1907, Chicago’s Stephen Harper Mills began producing his own machines, adding more fruits and the black bar icons that many slot players still recognize today. His early games were known as Bell-Fruit-Gum machines and paid lucky winners with chewing gum to get around anti-gambling laws. The black bar icon is believed to have originally been a chewing gum packet logo from the Mills Novelty Company since a player could win some gum. As a few sticks of gum and other non-cash prizes faded away, that logo transitioned into the traditional bar seen today. One other early symbol remains extremely popular on many slot games today – the number 7. For centuries this number has been seen as lucky by numerous cultures and still seems as a common winning icon on many games. No doubt on that next trip to a Las Vegas casino or playing games online, you’ll find many gamblers hoping to see 7-7-7 show up on those reels. Here’s a complete look at early slot machine symbols that still often appear on games today: Playing cards Playing card suits Sevens Fruits Bars Bells Symbols on Today’s Slot Games Any trip to a casino will include quite a sensory experience when checking out the slot games on the gaming floors. Today’s games have advanced well beyond traditional playing cards, fruits, and 7s on those reels. Those reels have also advanced as well to include even more options when playing. Games are also not based on mechanical reels anymore with most machines even featuring only video options. No longer do the machine’s mechanical inner works and the symbols landed on determine if a player wins or loses. Instead, the machine’s random number generator creates a completely random result which is then represented by the reels on the machine. No doubt gamblers aren’t thinking about this as they look to see those key symbols show up in front of them, but a modern slot is really just a computer with the software determining wins and losses. But that doesn’t mean the graphics, video, and slot symbols can’t make playing a fun experience. Quite the contrary, slot machines have advanced to almost becoming video games that involve a bit of gambling along the way. Manufacturers offer something for every taste and interest from movies and TV shows to rock bands, mythology, and fairy tales. Online and social slot games are equally as creative and a quick scan of the games offered at Jackpot Party and you’ll find games focused on: Luck of the Irish Wild animals Gold mining Greek mythology Cute and cuddly puppies and cats Cowboys Aliens from outer space Dragons There are numerous other games and themes to choose from as well to choose from. As one might expect, some of the more important and interesting characters, images, or animals associated with a game’s theme or storyline are usually some of the most important symbols in a game. These tend to offer players bigger payouts and some even offer opportunities for bonus games, free spins, respins, and maybe even a huge progressive jackpot. Knowing a game's symbols is fun and can add to the excitement and anticipation of seeing which ones appear on those pay lines, but a machine will guide players who can’t keep up with it all. Today’s games highlight those wins with coins/credits hitting your bank on the machine with no need to worry about coins at all. Special Symbols Beyond some of the simple simples listed above, slot developers also make certain symbols more valuable than others. When these line up they can bring more winnings than some of the more typical symbols in the game. Other symbols offer players more chances to win. A scatter symbol triggers something special, such as a bonus game or free spins. These are the types of symbols a player likes to see show up as there are more chances to win more money. These can also offer a chance to win a progressive to lucky players who see enough of them. For example, players can spin the reels on the popular game Zeus II at Jackpot Party. This game features the god who ruled the sky in ancient Greek mythology. As one might expect many of the symbols revolve around this mythological world, a common theme in the world of slots. As the scatter symbol, a symbol featuring a lightning bolt does the job in this game. A player lining up at least three of these symbols is awarded a free spins bonus. Why would you want that? Because these offer players a chance to spin the reels a certain number of times without spending any more credits. These rounds also often feature better chances of winning more and also even earning more free spins along the way. In Zeus II, you’re able to win as many as 150 free spins when five scatter symbols appear. Another key image on the reels that can also greatly benefit players is wild symbols. These can link up with other symbols to create more winning combinations. A wild symbol can act as any other symbol on the reels, offering a player more chances to win. Sometimes that can include numerous paylines being highlighted across all the reels because a few wilds made such a difference in turning a losing spin into a nice winner. For example, the Temple Wild does this function for players. The temple image can be used in place of all other symbols on the reels, except for the lightning bolt. A player seeing these show up has a much better chance of securing some winning combinations. Different slots may have different rewards for symbols that appear on the reels. Some may trigger other prizes, bonuses, and even respins. This last term refers to a feature in which a symbol is locked in place on the reels. The other reels may spin again a few more times, offering players a chance at some more wins if certain symbols appear again. As noted earlier, a random number generator actually determines the result of any slot machine spin. However, the average player may not even realize it. The fun of the game is watching those reels and seeing if just the rights symbols make an appearance – hopefully awarding some riches along the way. Here’s a quick review of the key symbols of a slot game, whether playing in a live casino or online. Traditional symbols – Most regular symbols in a slot game. Some of these pay more than others and the paytable will spell this out. Scatter symbols – These are critical symbols that trigger other winning opportunities like bonus games and free spins. These offer more chances to win additional credits and are highly sought by most players. Wild symbols – Like a wild card in a poker game, these can be used in combination with other symbols to make winning combinations. They can replace most other symbols on the reels to better link up pay lines for winners. Pop Culture Slots and Symbols What’s great about modern slot machines might just be the sheer number of gaming options available not only on a casino floor but also online, where you can also play for free or even real money depending on your location and jurisdiction. A trend over the last decade or so has been to add even more links among slot games and pop culture. As noted earlier, slot developers also work to appeal to numerous slot players by making use of classic characters from movies and TV shows as well as rock bands, celebrities, and more. As an example, Jackpot Party also includes James Bond Casino Royale, The Flintstones, and Cirque Du Soleil: Kooza. This is just the tip of the iceberg on what is available for players looking for something unique or maybe just for a bit of slot-playing nostalgia. Many symbols on this game of course revolve around Bond and the film itself. For example, fans of 007 will get a kick out of James Bond Casino Royale. In this game, players will be hoping the international superspy helps pave the way for some winnings while on her majesty’s secret service. The game features five reels, 25 pay lines, and clips from the film as part of the fun. Conclusion Symbols are the images that appear on a slot game’s reels. While the exact result of a modern slot game may depend on a random number generator, the symbols offer a visual interpretation of the slot’s computer-generated result. Game manufacturers offer plenty of creativity when it comes to themes and storylines and the symbols of the game will represent this. Some of the traditional symbols will pay more than others and offer a chance at some winning along the way when playing. However, players are really hoping for more key symbols to make an appearance. This can include items such as wilds and scatters. Wild symbols can replace other symbols and offer extra chances at winning combinations. Scatter symbols give you a shot at bonus games and free spins, also meaning more opportunities at winning. Slot machine technology has come a long way from those early days in Charles Fey’s machine shop. Players can now even play right on their mobile phones at sites like Jackpot Party. The games may have changed considerably, but plenty of fun remains. Frequently Asked Questions What are slot machine symbols? Slot machine symbols are the images that appear on the game's reels. They can be traditional symbols such as fruits, bars, and sevens, or more exotic symbols that reflect the game's theme or storyline. Symbols are an important part of the game's visual presentation and can offer players opportunities to win. What is the history of slot machine symbols? The first slot machines were created in 1887 by Charles Fey, and they featured symbols such as fruits, playing cards, and bells. These symbols were used to show the result of each spin and add to the game's visual presentation. Some of these classic symbols, such as playing cards and suits, are still popular on many video slots today. What are special symbols on a slot machine? Special symbols on a slot machine can be more valuable than other symbols and offer players more chances to win. Wild symbols can act as any other symbol on the reels and create more winning combinations. Scatter symbols trigger bonus games and free spins, which can lead to more opportunities to win additional credits. What are pop culture slots and symbols? Modern slot machines often feature pop culture themes and symbols to appeal to a broad range of casino players. This can include classic characters from movies and TV shows, rock bands, celebrities, and more. These symbols can offer players bigger payouts and add to the game's excitement and anticipation. What is the significance of slot machine symbols? Slot machine symbols are an important part of the game's visual presentation and can offer players opportunities to win. They can also add to the game's excitement and anticipation, and special symbols can trigger bonus games and free spins. While the exact result of a modern slot game may depend on a random number generator, symbols offer a visual interpretation of the game's computer-generated result.