Advantage Playing IGT’s “Progressive Free Games”

Progressive Free Games by IGT is a feature attached to a couple of traditional three reel slot machines. One is Triple Double Diamond & the other is called Legend of the 3x 2x Phoenix. The feature consists of three separate meters with must-hit by 15 free games that pay 2x, 5x & 10x respectively. Free games can also be triggered by hitting three bonus symbols.

When I first played this game I thought the free game meters were random. However, upon playing it I found that the meters move on an exact cycle. The one that I played was set at 48 spins for the 2x, 175/5x & 600/10x. The cycle is broken when the free games are hit on a particular meter. Meaning if I were to hit the 2x after 20 spins it would take 48 spins to move the meter & not 28 spins. 

I went on to play Progressive Free Games at several other casinos & found that most of them had their meters set at 48/175/600. However, I did find a couple of outliers such as a 75/250/600 & one set at a horrible 110/330/850 which is nearly unplayable unless you’ve been actively tracking it. If you’re entering a casino & are seeing Progressive Free Games for the first time & you’re wondering what version that casino has, you have two options. One is play it yourself & count the amount of spins to move the 2x or the more budget friendly option which is to watch someone else play it & count along.

What to look for & how to advantage play Progressive Free Games.

This is for what I consider the “standard” version of Progressive Free Games which is the 48/175/600. There are usually five betting options. Tap on each one to reveal where each meter stands. Generally the approach is going to be 12 red, 13 green & 14 blue. Unless you have been in the casino for several hours & are monitoring how much play the machine is getting, you’re not going to know how many spins until the meters move up. I’ve heard some are hesitant to take a green at 13 & to that I’d say don’t expect to get many plays for the green. The majority of advantage players are taking it right there regardless of knowing whether or not it’s a fresh 13 or one that has many spins on it & will soon flip to 14.

The pay tables for Triple Double Diamond & Legend of the 3x 2x Phoenix are different but your approach to chasing the progressive free games should be the same. 

Finding advantage play opportunities on Progressive Free Games is a bit of a cat & mouse game. You’ll find that your typical slot player has some knowledge of the game & will generally attempt to chase meters at higher numbers. You can also stumble upon a 14/10x but have no clue if it’s ready to pop or if you have to put in a serious amount of spins to get to 15. It is a bit volatile but does have the potential to reward you with huge bonus rounds particularly at the higher bets that can result in jackpot handpays. Overall, Progressive Free Games is an advantage play slot machine that I like & is definitely one that is worth checking out for plays.