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List of Advantage Play Slot Machines: All 217 Games by Maker and Type (2026)

The full list of advantage play slot machines: 217 game families with the maker, the mechanic type and what to look for on each, including every must-hit-by game we track.

By The Slot Hustler · · Updated · 6 min read

Advantage player for 6+ years, with a background in marketing and SEO. Math and data tracking are my thing. Slot Hustlers calculators combine par-sheet math, where it's available, with hundreds of thousands of tracked spins.

An advantage play slot machine is a game that saves progress on screen from one player to the next: a must-hit-by jackpot creeping toward its cap, a free-games meter that has built up, coins or symbols already collected. When a previous player walks away and leaves enough of that progress behind, the next spins can be worth more than they cost.

Below is our full list of advantage play slot machines: 217 game families, each with its maker, its mechanic type and what to look for on the screen. You can filter it by type (including every must-hit-by game) or search it by name or maker. One warning up front: almost every machine on this list is a bad play most of the time. The game is only worth playing in the right state.

The full list of advantage play slot machines

217

game families

15

manufacturers

6

mechanic types

Must-hit-by jackpot (9)
A cash jackpot that must pay before it reaches the amount printed on the machine.
Must-hit-by feature (52)
A meter or counter that must award free games, wilds or a bonus by a set count.
Collected feature (29)
Coins, symbols or characters build up a bonus that triggers at random.
Saved prizes or multipliers (60)
Prizes, multipliers or wilds that stay on screen for future spins.
Growing reels (9)
Reels that expand and stay expanded until a feature resets them.
Held symbols or locked spins (58)
Symbols or scatters that stay in place for a few more spins.

Showing all 217 games.

  • 5 Coin Frenzy Jackpots: Tiger Wealth / Wukong Wealth Maker: Aristocrat Must-hit-by feature Red envelopes that already hold several coins at your bet level
  • 88 Fortunes Emperor’s Coins Maker: Light & Wonder Must-hit-by feature A free-games counter sitting close to its must-award cap
  • Ainsworth Must-Hit-By ($10,000 / $500) Maker: Ainsworth Must-hit-by jackpot Major and Minor meters close to the must-hit-by amounts printed on the machine
  • Alien Heroes Maker: Sega Sammy Must-hit-by feature Star containers that are nearly full, ideally more than one of them
  • Angel Blade Kingdom of Ice / Sword of Destiny Fire Warrior Maker: Light & Wonder Growing reels Tall reels and a well-stocked Super Ten reel late in the spin cycle
  • Ascending Fortunes: Jewel Oasis Maker: Incredible Technologies Must-hit-by feature Free-game meters that are closing in on their hit-by counts
  • Ascending Fortunes: Pagoda Rising Maker: Incredible Technologies Must-hit-by feature Free-game meters that are closing in on their hit-by counts
  • Aztec Adventures / Wu Wu Coins Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Several coins already locked on the reels with spins still left on the counter
  • Aztec Banner / Pegasus Banner Maker: Everi Held symbols or locked spins Several card suits lit up above the reels with plenty of spins left
  • Aztec Vault / Cleopatra’s Vault Maker: Aristocrat Saved prizes or multipliers Coin columns that are nearly full, ideally holding big credit prizes
  • Azure Dragon / Emerald Guardian Maker: AGS Collected feature Free-game meters sitting well above their starting counts, especially the top two
  • Bier Bier Bier / Mai Tai Money Maker: Ainsworth Saved prizes or multipliers Drinks above the reels carrying high multipliers
  • Big Ocean Jackpots Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Jackpot and wild bubbles still on screen with rows left to rise over coins
  • Bigger Fu Cash Bats: Prosperous Panda / Prosperous Pig Maker: Aristocrat Held symbols or locked spins Bat coins still active on the first reel with spins remaining
  • Blazing X: Asia / Las Vegas Maker: Light & Wonder Saved prizes or multipliers A line-pay multiplier still running, especially a high one with spins remaining
  • Blazin’ Diamond / Lightning Wilds Maker: Everi Saved prizes or multipliers Pay Upgrade mode still active with spins remaining
  • Block Bonanza: Hawaii / Rio Maker: Aristocrat Saved prizes or multipliers Blocks above the reels showing unusually large credit values
  • Blooming Penzai Maker: Velvix Saved prizes or multipliers Big prizes above the reels, with trees that have turned mostly gold
  • Bonus Builder: Emerald Spins Maker: Incredible Technologies Collected feature Bonuses already built up with taller reels, more spins and low symbols removed
  • Brian Christopher’s World Cruise Maker: Gaming Arts Collected feature Fat ducks with high meters, ideally on more than one bonus
  • Bubble Blast: Spells ’N Whistles / Trials of Atlantis Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers High-value bubbles on screen that still have rows left to climb
  • Bubble Mania: Potion Pays / Hai Long / Fizzy Frenzy Maker: AGS Saved prizes or multipliers Bubbles holding big credit values that still have rows left to travel
  • Buffalo Ascension Maker: Aristocrat Growing reels Middle reels already stretched tall, close to their maximum height
  • Buffalo Instant Hit Maker: Aristocrat Saved prizes or multipliers Grid prizes over the later reels showing unusually large values
  • Buffalo Link / Lightning Buffalo Link Maker: Aristocrat Must-hit-by feature A buffalo head count getting close to the feature's must-hit cap
  • Buffalo Power Pay Maker: Aristocrat Collected feature Mega and major free-game meters far above their usual reset levels
  • Bustin’ Money Maker: Ainsworth Collected feature Safes built up with extra games, ways and multiplier, ideally all three
  • Cai Fu Long Maker: Aruze Held symbols or locked spins Locked coins on the reels with spins still left on the counter
  • Captain Riches / Tiki Fortune / Mine Blast Maker: AGS Must-hit-by feature Partly filled coin holders over the middle reels, but learn the rules first
  • Cash Burst: Orb of Atlantis / Force of Babylon Maker: Light & Wonder Saved prizes or multipliers Orbs with large credit values still floating on the reels
  • Cash Cano: Roman Riches / Tiki Maker: Aristocrat Saved prizes or multipliers Rows above the reels stocked with high-value gems, especially nearly complete rows
  • Cash Falls: Huo Zhu / Pirate’s Trove / Island Bounty / Outback Bounty Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Reels nearly filled with coins while their spin counters are still live
  • Cash Up Jackpots Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Unspent Cash Up symbols still banked above the first reel
  • Clover Link Xtreme Maker: Apex Gaming Must-hit-by feature A double clover meter that is full or nearly full
  • Coin Catch Maker: – Held symbols or locked spins Gold frames locked around reels with spins still remaining
  • Coin Combo: Hurricane Horse / Perfect Peacock Maker: Light & Wonder Saved prizes or multipliers Several wilds on the lower rows that still have room to climb
  • Coin Kingdom: Aztec / Egyptian Maker: Ainsworth Must-hit-by jackpot Grand or major meters sitting near their must-hit-by amounts
  • Colossal Titans Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Symbol meters close to full, or multipliers already running with spins left
  • Crackin’ Cash: Grand Venezia / Rio Wonder Maker: AGS Saved prizes or multipliers Valuable green or jackpot balloons stacked above the reels
  • Crush Conquest / Crush Dynasty Maker: Everi Saved prizes or multipliers Premium-colored boulders in play or lined up in the queues
  • Cyber Dragon Maker: Gaming Arts Must-hit-by feature A yin-yang ring with most of its segments already filled
  • Dancing Drums: Golden Drums Maker: Light & Wonder Saved prizes or multipliers A high drum multiplier carried over above the first reel
  • Dawn of Ra / Sun of Ra: Wild Pyramid Respins Maker: Aristocrat Held symbols or locked spins Full pyramid stacks still held on the right-hand reels
  • Diamond Collector: Wolfpack / Elite 7’s Maker: Incredible Technologies Must-hit-by feature A diamond count close to what the free spins require
  • Diamond Tide Jungle Maker: – Saved prizes or multipliers Yellow wilds still on the reels, especially toward the right side
  • Diamonds & Devils Deluxe / Jade Monkey Deluxe Maker: Light & Wonder Saved prizes or multipliers Reels with big accrued prizes and several diamonds already collected
  • Dice Seeker: Flappers & Dappers / Heroes & Villains / Viking Invasion Maker: Gaming Arts Saved prizes or multipliers Valuable prizes above the reels with few hit points left
  • Double Dragon: Jin Long Jin Bao Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Water rings locked on either board with spins left, ideally carrying multipliers
  • Double Jackpot Blazing 7s With Quick Hit Feature: High Limit Edition Maker: Light & Wonder Saved prizes or multipliers Unplayed bonus spins that a previous player left on the machine
  • Dragon Lights: Fortune Skies / Mystical Falls / Secret Fortress Maker: IGT Collected feature Progressive free-game meters far above their base counts
  • Dragon Rush: Fei Jin / Fei Nu Maker: Incredible Technologies Held symbols or locked spins Gold egg scatters locked on the reels with spins still remaining
  • Dragon Spell Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Many gold frames locked on the reels with the orb countdown nearly done
  • Dragon Spin CrossLink: Air / Earth / Fire / Water Maker: Light & Wonder Collected feature Gold bags above the reels that are heavily filled
  • Dragon Unleashed: Prosperity Packets / Red Fleet / Three Legends / Treasured Happiness Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Several orbs sitting high on the reels that will keep shifting down
  • Dragon: Jin Long Jin Bao Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Fire rings locked on the reels with spins still left
  • DragonSphere Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Wild spheres still on screen, especially ones about to drop onto or near dragon symbols
  • Duo Fu Duo Cai Grand: Dragons Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Several drifting wilds still on reels three to five with room left to climb
  • Duo Fu Duo Cai Grand: Ingotcha Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Locked wilds and coins on screen with spins left, adding up toward the hold & spin
  • Egyptian Gems: Rise of Pharaoh / Rise of Queen Maker: – Saved prizes or multipliers Big credit orbs already on the sixth reel, with more large orbs waiting in the queue
  • Egyptian Stars Maker: – Held symbols or locked spins Star frames still on the reels that have several positions left to travel
  • Elephant King Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Big credit prizes or free games about to rotate over reels one, three and five
  • Epic Fortunes: Blast Chance / Power Peach Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Red-bordered coins sitting high on the reels, with several already showing toward the bonus
  • Epic Lion / Sacred Deer Maker: Light & Wonder Growing reels Reels that have already grown tall, particularly any sitting at full height
  • Extreme Wild: Lanterns / Stars Maker: Sega Sammy Must-hit-by feature Coin holders over the middle reels already holding a coin at your bet
  • Fairy Hollow Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Butterfly wilds still active, ideally at the ends of rows or reels that can bookend
  • Fat Fortunes: Fat Cat / Puffy Penguin / Jelly Jams Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Gleaming persistent fish sitting near the top, with plenty of spins left before they fall off
  • Firecano Freeze / Firecano Glory Maker: Aristocrat Held symbols or locked spins Several wilds low on the reels that will keep drifting upward over the next spins
  • Fortune Finders: Mermaid’s Pearl / Hidden Riches Maker: Gaming Arts Held symbols or locked spins Persistent scatters sitting high on the reels, with more than one already in view
  • Fortune Garden / Fu Blossom Maker: Everi Saved prizes or multipliers Flowers holding large credit totals that still have plenty of pearls left on the stem
  • Fortune Lanterns Maker: – Saved prizes or multipliers Reels with most of their lantern slots filled and valuable prizes among the lanterns
  • Fortune Owl Maker: IGT Collected feature Large free-game counts on the owl meters, remembering they can go a long time without paying
  • Fortune Rooster Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Wild stacks above the reels that are close to full, especially on several reels
  • Frankenstein Maker: Light & Wonder Saved prizes or multipliers Big multipliers attached to the jackpot prizes above the reels
  • Fu Dai Lian Lian: Boost Peacock / Boost Tiger Maker: Aristocrat Collected feature Bags showing jewels, which mean a boosted bonus rather than a sooner one
  • Fu Stacks: Jade / Crimson Maker: Everi Must-hit-by feature Coin holders that already hold coins, most usefully on several reels at once
  • Fuse Blast / Caifu Zhi Wu Maker: – Held symbols or locked spins A locked firecracker whose fuse has already burned most of the way down
  • Gift of the Nile / Dragon Flame Maker: Everi Held symbols or locked spins Stacks of wilds waiting in the queue above the reels, ready to drop in
  • God of Winning: Great Hammer / Super Spear Maker: Aruze Held symbols or locked spins Lots of locked frames on screen waiting for the hammer to turn them wild
  • Golden Beasts / Golden Elements: Brilliant Fortunes Maker: Sega Sammy Must-hit-by feature A symbol counter that is getting close to its must-trigger limit
  • Golden Dragon / Golden Guardian Maker: – Saved prizes or multipliers Pots under the reels holding big free-game counts or a jackpot wheel spin
  • Golden Egypt / Dancing Phoenix Soaring Dragon Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Coin holders that are nearly full, ideally over more than one reel
  • Golden Egypt Grand Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Coin holders close to full, with bigger holders promising longer wild runs
  • Golden Gecko Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Colored progressive jewels or high multiplier jewels sitting in the active spot above reels
  • Golden Jungle Grand Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Reels already holding a pair of buddhas early enough in the cycle
  • Golden Messenger Maker: Konami Must-hit-by feature Reels that already hold most of the coins needed for a prize pick
  • Grand Buddha Link / Grand Cat Link Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Active multipliers above the reels, especially the big left-side ones with spins remaining
  • Green Machine Bingo Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Fresh locked balls lining up in near-complete bingo lines with big credit values
  • Guardians of the Aztec / Guardians of Giza Maker: Konami Must-hit-by feature A symbol holder above the reels that is close to full
  • Happy 8’s / Jolly 8’s Maker: Incredible Technologies Must-hit-by feature Plenty of banked wilds or near-complete bonus and jackpot sets late in the cycle
  • Happy Blessings / Happy Blossoms Maker: AGS Must-hit-by feature Coin holders over the middle reels already partly filled
  • Hold N Gold: Acorn Falls / Hot Spell Maker: Incredible Technologies Held symbols or locked spins Several locked gold scatters on screen with spins still left on them
  • Honey Bucks Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Empty honeycomb spaces currently glowing as wilds with a spin still left
  • Hyper Orbs: King of the Seas / Dragon Sense Maker: Incredible Technologies Must-hit-by feature An orb count that is close to triggering the free spins
  • Icy Wilds / Icy Wilds Deluxe / Fa Cai Long Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins A reel with a glowing border, which means it turns wild on the next spin
  • IGT Classic Hits: Coyote Moon Deluxe / Money Storm Deluxe / Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania Deluxe Maker: IGT Must-hit-by jackpot Any progressive meter close to its must-hit-by cap at a bet level you can afford
  • Imperial Fortunes / Penguin Palace Maker: AGS Must-hit-by feature Half-full coin holders, especially ones holding multiplier coins over the middle reels
  • Indian Motorcycle Maker: Pervasive Gaming Must-hit-by feature A trophy collection that is close to complete
  • Inferno Wheel: Aztec Awards / Polynesian Pays Maker: Gaming Arts Saved prizes or multipliers Wheel wedges that have been boosted to the hotter colors
  • Jackpot Catcher: Sun / Moon Maker: Aristocrat Held symbols or locked spins Glowing rings with spins left, sitting where credit symbols can land inside them
  • Jewel Collection: Dragon / Vault Maker: Sega Sammy Must-hit-by feature A scatter meter nearing its guaranteed trigger point, plus large banked wild meters
  • Jin Ji Bao Xi Grand: Phoenix / Tiger Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Locked bats and coins on screen with spins left, adding up toward the bonus
  • Joe Blow Diamonds / Joe Blow Gold Maker: Aristocrat Must-hit-by feature Dynamite holders one stick short, or wild reels currently running
  • Jurassic Park Trilogy: Jurassic Park / The Lost World / Jurassic Park III Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins A bonus symbol already landed on one side with extra spins left to catch the other
  • Knock Knock Guardians: Queen / Raider Maker: AGS Collected feature Both cats upgraded to higher levels, plus large free-spin meters on the wheel
  • Kraken Unleashed: Lobster Bay / Wild Vikings / Dive for Five Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Wood panels already stacked high on the reels, with several on screen
  • Let’s Spin / Let’s Spin Vegas Maker: Gaming Arts Held symbols or locked spins A Let's or Spin symbol still active, with the partner symbol yet to land
  • Life of Luxury Hot Diamonds: Far East Fortunes / Great Eagle / Jungle Cats / Mermaid’s Gold Maker: Light & Wonder Collected feature Big free-game counts on the car, boat and plane, knowing they pay out randomly
  • Lightning 10 Year Storm: Golden Archers / Master Magician / Shang Jin Warrior / Wild Cougar Maker: Aristocrat Must-hit-by feature A feature counter that is getting close to its must-trigger limit
  • Lucky Buddha / Lucky Wealth Cat Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Active multipliers above the reels, especially the big left-side ones with spins remaining
  • Lucky Coin Link: Asian Dreaming / Atlantica Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Coin holders that are mostly filled at your bet level
  • Lucky Empress / Inca Empress Maker: Ainsworth Saved prizes or multipliers Revealed multipliers queued beside the rows, especially big ones already active
  • Lucky Haul / March of the Zombies Maker: – Held symbols or locked spins Full wild reels still on screen with room left to drift left
  • Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania 4 Link / Super Sally’s Shrimpmania 4 Link Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Reels already holding one coin beneath a large Loot Award
  • Lucky Lemmings Stampede Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Special lemmings sitting high on the middle reels with room to fall
  • Lucky Pick: Bumble Bee / Cash Tree / Leprechaun Maker: Gaming Arts Saved prizes or multipliers A pick board with many upgrades revealed and few credit picks left
  • Luckymon Evolutions: All That Glitters / On a Silver Platter Maker: Light & Wonder Collected feature Monsters grown to their bigger sizes, ideally more than one at once
  • Lunar Disc / Fortune Disc Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature A disc collection that is close to full
  • Madonna: Mighty Cash Maker: Aristocrat Saved prizes or multipliers High multipliers already built up above several reels
  • Magic of the Nile Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Obelisks with most of their segments already filled
  • Magic Treasures Gold: Emperor / Empress Maker: IGT Collected feature Pots holding large money ball counts
  • Magic Treasures: Dragon / Tiger Maker: IGT Collected feature A high money ball count on the green bowl
  • Magic Wishes Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Lots of locked frames on screen with the cycle nearing its final spin
  • Mammoth Legend Maker: – Must-hit-by feature Only a few coins left to choose from in the pick selection
  • Master Da Dang Jia: Fine Fortunes / Vivid Diamonds Maker: Light & Wonder Saved prizes or multipliers A high multiplier sitting above the middle reel
  • Miss Kitty Wild Ride / Zorro Wild Ride Maker: Aristocrat Held symbols or locked spins An active Wild Ride Bonus with wilds and multipliers still on the reels
  • Money Island Maker: IGT Collected feature Large free games counts on the meters, plus any active wild coins
  • Moon Spirit Maker: – Held symbols or locked spins Lots of locked frames on screen with the cycle nearing its final spin
  • Ocean Magic / Fu Ru Dong Hai Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Several wild bubbles low on the reels with plenty of room to rise
  • Ocean Magic 4D / Ocean Magic Ultra Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Several wild bubbles low on the reels with plenty of room to rise
  • Ocean Magic Bubble Boost Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Bubble meters close to their must-hit-by counts, plus bubbles low on the reels
  • Ocean Magic Grand Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Several wild bubbles low on the reels with plenty of room to rise
  • Olympus Awakening / Ra’s Awakening Maker: – Growing reels Reels already expanded well beyond their starting height
  • Orb Lock Dragon Maker: Everi Held symbols or locked spins Many locked rings on the reels, especially ones carrying multipliers
  • Panda’s Treasure / Pirate’s Treasure Maker: – Growing reels A black background with expanded reels and chests close to the keys
  • Panther’s Throne / Tiger’s Throne Maker: Everi Collected feature Lots of locked frames covering the reels, waiting for a roar
  • Phoenix 888 Dragon Maker: AGS Must-hit-by jackpot Jackpot meters close to their must-hit-by amounts at your bet level
  • Phoenix Link: Confucius Say / General Tso / Queen Chiu / Sensei Master Maker: Aristocrat Must-hit-by feature A phoenix counter close to its must-hit-by number
  • Piggy Bankin’ Maker: – Must-hit-by feature Only a few piggy banks left waiting at the bottom
  • Piggy Blessings Maker: – Saved prizes or multipliers Valuable coins sitting near the bottom of the strings
  • Piggy Parade Maker: – Saved prizes or multipliers High-value prizes on the pigs walking above the reels
  • Pillars of Cash: Celestial Fortune / Festive Fortune Maker: AGS Saved prizes or multipliers Tall pillars with gold dragons and big prize values
  • Pinwheel Prizes: Cat & Tiger / Majestic Oasis Maker: Incredible Technologies Saved prizes or multipliers Pinwheels loaded with boosted wedges and several golden wedges
  • Pots O’ Luck Maker: AGS Held symbols or locked spins Coin holders nearly full, or reels already wild with spins remaining
  • Power Push: Jin Gou / Long De Xiyue Maker: Incredible Technologies Collected feature Many full coin stacks and valuable prizes near the front of the tray
  • Prize Pool: Cactus Cash / Fierce Dragon Maker: Incredible Technologies Saved prizes or multipliers Large credit values in the blocks above the reels
  • Progressive Free Games: Legend of the 3X 2X Phoenix / Triple Double Diamond Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Free games meters close to their must-hit-by counts
  • Pub Series: Anastasia’s Tavern / Isabella’s Tequileria / Kaleigh’s Pub / Sofia’s Cellar Maker: – Must-hit-by feature An on-the-house meter near full, or sticky wilds still on the reels
  • Raise the Sails / San Xing Riches Maker: IGT Collected feature Large free games counts on the bronze, silver and gold meters
  • Red Silk / Aztec Chief Maker: AGS Held symbols or locked spins Coin holders already half filled, or reels turned wild with spins left
  • Reef of Riches / Wild Mermaid Maker: – Must-hit-by feature Most of the tiles behind the symbols already shattered
  • Reel Climb: Celestial Mountain / Prosperity Maker: Aristocrat Growing reels Reels already climbed high, especially any fully active reel
  • Reel Rainbows Maker: – Must-hit-by jackpot Jackpot meters close to their must-hit-by amounts at your bet level
  • Regal Link: Lion / Raven Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Wild meters close to their must-hit-by caps, including the grey counter
  • Regal Riches / Prosperity Pearl Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Wild counters sitting close to their must-hit-by caps
  • Rich Little Hens Maker: Light & Wonder Collected feature A large banked free-games count on the leftmost hen
  • Rich Little Piggies: Hog Wild / Meal Ticket Maker: Light & Wonder Collected feature Fat pigs, especially a large banked free-games count on the blue pig
  • Rich Little Sheep: On the Lamb / Wool Street Riches Maker: Light & Wonder Collected feature Sheep upgraded to high levels, ideally all three at once
  • Rising Diamond Maker: Konami Growing reels Reels raised high with spins still left before they drop
  • Rising Phoenix Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Big multipliers on the wheel and a nearly full flame meter
  • River Dragons / Fire Wolf 2 / Forest Dragons / Winter of the Dragons / Wolf Queen Maker: AGS Must-hit-by jackpot Jackpot meters close to their must-hit-by amounts at your bet level
  • Rocket Rumble Maker: Bluberi Must-hit-by feature Free games meters close to their must-hit-by counts
  • Samurai Dynasty Maker: – Held symbols or locked spins Bonus symbols sitting high on the reels with rows left to fall
  • Scarab / Diamond Mania Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Lots of locked frames on screen with the cycle nearing its final spin
  • Scarab Grand Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Lots of locked frames on screen with the cycle nearing its final spin
  • Sea Story: Fluffy Treasure Maker: Sega Sammy Saved prizes or multipliers Big prize bubbles low on the reels or queued in the stock area
  • Sphinx 4D Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Wild spheres still high on the reels with special symbols sitting below them
  • Stack Up Pays: Island Riches / Sakura Riches Maker: Incredible Technologies Must-hit-by feature Reel-expansion meters sitting close to their must-hit-by caps
  • Sumo Kitty / Lucha Kitty Maker: Light & Wonder Saved prizes or multipliers Large connected groups of gold frames already sitting on the reels
  • Super Bowl Jackpots Maker: Aristocrat Saved prizes or multipliers Big credit prizes still parked in the holding spots after a 2-Minute Drill
  • Super Colossal Reels: Spartacus / Li’l Red / The Red Riders / Mysteries of RA Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Golden wilds left on screen from the previous spin
  • Super Lit Vegas / Fortune Spin Maker: Ainsworth Saved prizes or multipliers Many locked frames collected early in the current cycle
  • Super Winning Streak: Lion Eyes / Wolf Eyes Maker: – Held symbols or locked spins Lion or wolf heads high on the reels, or a streak already underway
  • Temple Falls: Jungle Adventure Maker: Incredible Technologies Saved prizes or multipliers Big red coins and wheel coins sitting in the bottom row of the grid
  • Temple Falls: TNT Maker: Incredible Technologies Saved prizes or multipliers Big red coins and wheel coins sitting in the bottom row of the grid
  • Thor’s Thunder Maker: Gaming Arts Held symbols or locked spins A machine left in Storm Mode by the last player
  • Tian Ci Jin Lu: Emperor / Phoenix Maker: Aristocrat Must-hit-by jackpot The top progressive sitting close to its must-hit-by cap
  • Tic Tac Go Maker: Gaming Arts Saved prizes or multipliers One color holding big prizes or jackpots and close to a winning row
  • Top Up Fortunes: Flame / Ocean Maker: Sega Sammy Growing reels Several reels still raised high with spins left on their counters
  • Treasure Blast: Balloon / Fleet Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Large prizes on the side tracks lined up with the cannon reels
  • Treasure Box: Kingdom / Dynasty Maker: IGT Collected feature Very few coins still needed to trigger the respin bonus
  • Treasure Hunter Maker: Bluberi Must-hit-by feature Jackpots with most of their pearls already collected
  • Treasure Shot: Pirate Ship / Robin Hood Maker: Light & Wonder Must-hit-by feature Bags nearly full of wilds or chest meters close to their must-hit-by counts
  • Ultimate Fire Link Cash Falls: China Street / Olvera Street Maker: Light & Wonder Held symbols or locked spins Reels mostly filled with fireballs and spins still left on their counters
  • Ultra Rush Gold X: Bingwen / Wei Yi Maker: Incredible Technologies Held symbols or locked spins Several gold scatters already locked with spins left on them
  • Ultra Rush Gold: African Adventure / Midnight Ice / Mythical Phoenix / Tiger Run Maker: Incredible Technologies Held symbols or locked spins Several gold scatters already locked with spins left on them
  • Upshot: Prosperity Rising / Brilliant 7’s Maker: Incredible Technologies Held symbols or locked spins One bonus scatter already locked with spins left on it
  • Voodoo Jackpots: Jack’s Gold Maker: Light & Wonder Collected feature Both free-games meters built up close to their caps
  • What the Duck: Dusty / Snowy Maker: Konami Collected feature Explode and Bounty meters sitting at their higher levels
  • Wheel Frenzy: Frights N’ Delights / Genie Unleashed Maker: AGS Must-hit-by feature Coin meters under the wheel that are nearly full
  • Wheel of Fortune 4D Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Several dollar holders already half filled
  • Wheel of Fortune 4D Collector’s Edition Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Credit prizes above the reels that have grown well past their starting values
  • Wheel of Fortune 4D More Money Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers High multipliers above the reels, especially just ahead of the active border
  • Wheel of Fortune High Roller Maker: IGT Growing reels Several reels already expanded close to their full height
  • Wheel of Fortune Wild Boost: Silver / Gold Maker: IGT Collected feature Wild boost pots holding a large number of collected wilds
  • Wheel of Fortune Wild Spin Live Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Several coin holders already half filled
  • Wheel of Fortune Wild Spin: Vacation / Night Life Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Many locked gold frames collected early in the current cycle
  • Wild Explosion: Get‘Cha Gold / Get‘Cha Money / Get‘Cha Reward / Get‘Cha Treasure Maker: Aruze Held symbols or locked spins Several red wilds on screen, particularly ones near the end of their countdown
  • Wild Force: Bison Sunrise / Midnight Wolf Maker: Aruze Saved prizes or multipliers Large connected clusters of locked frames on the reels
  • Wild Pile-Up: Cutie Kitty / Tiger Lee Maker: Aruze Saved prizes or multipliers Tall diamond stacks above the reels, near completion or ready to slide down
  • Wild Pirates / Guardians of Egypt Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Big connected groups of locked bombs, especially with detonators close to going off
  • Winning Wings: Butterflies / Fairies Maker: Gaming Arts Held symbols or locked spins Several winged prize symbols still on screen and working their way down
  • Wish Mistress Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Gem colors that are close to completing their set
  • Wizard of Oz: Follow the Yellow Brick Road Maker: Light & Wonder Collected feature Silver, gold and emerald free-games meters built well above their starting counts
  • Wizard of Oz: Over the Rainbow Maker: Light & Wonder Must-hit-by jackpot Progressive meters close to their must-hit-by caps for your denomination
  • Wizard Riches Maker: – Saved prizes or multipliers Saved features and meters carried over from the previous player
  • Wizard Strike Maker: Konami Must-hit-by jackpot Major and minor progressives running high within their must-hit-by ranges
  • Wolf Peak / Cat Peak / Fu Ren Wu Maker: IGT Held symbols or locked spins Expanding wilds on screen that still have spins left before they finish
  • Wolf Ridge Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Big prizes or free games on the disk about to rotate above the wolf reels
  • Wolf Run Eclipse / Cats Wild Serengeti Maker: IGT Collected feature Free-games meters built far above their starting counts
  • Wonder 4 Collection Maker: Aristocrat Collected feature A large blue or red free-games count on one of the four games
  • Wu Dragon / Star Goddess Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Many locked frames scattered around the reels
  • Wu Jin Pen: Fuyu Phoenix / Panda Maker: Light & Wonder Collected feature A high spin count on the bowl and extra bowls already unlocked
  • Wu Wang Zhe Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Characters, especially the higher-paying colors, that are close to a full coin set
  • Ying Cai Shen Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Coin holders under the right-hand reels that are nearly filled
  • Zhao Cai Zhu: Gettin’ Piggy With It / Yo Ho Hog Maker: IGT Must-hit-by feature Pig meters sitting close to their must-hit-by counts
  • Zodiac Lion / Zodiac Dragon Maker: IGT Saved prizes or multipliers Large connected groups of gold frames already on the reels
  • Zorro Power of Z Maker: Aristocrat Saved prizes or multipliers Many golden Z symbols collected early in the ten-game cycle

Updated September 2026. Makers confirmed from manufacturer and trade sources; “–” means not yet confirmed. “What to look for” describes the state that can make a machine worth checking, not a guarantee that it’s a play.

List of must hit by slot machines

Must-hit-by games are the best-known advantage play slots, because the cap guarantees the payout. In the list above they fall under two types:

  • Must-hit-by jackpots: a cash jackpot with a cap printed on the machine. Examples: Ainsworth Must-Hit-By, the IGT Classic Hits series (Money Storm Deluxe, Coyote Moon Deluxe, Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania Deluxe), Coin Kingdom, River Dragons and Wizard of Oz: Over the Rainbow.
  • Must-hit-by features: a meter that must award free games, wilds or a bonus by a set count. Examples: Buffalo Link, Phoenix Link, Regal Riches, Regal Link, Rocket Rumble and Stack Up Pays.

Pick either type in the filter to see every must-hit-by game we track. For how the cap works and how to value one, see Must Hit By Slot Machines Explained and our must hit by calculator.

What makes a slot an advantage play machine?

On a regular slot, each spin is independent. Nothing carries over, so nothing you can see changes the odds of the next spin. The casino’s edge is the same whether the machine paid a minute ago or hasn’t paid all day.

An AP slot is different in one specific way: part of its value is stored on the screen. A meter, a counter or a collection builds up as people play, and it pays out eventually. That stored value belongs to whoever is sitting there when it pays. If enough of it has built up, it can outweigh the house edge on the spins it takes to collect it.

Three things have to be true:

  1. The progress persists between spins and between players.
  2. You can see it. The meters, counters or collections are displayed on the screen.
  3. It has enough value at that moment to cover the cost of playing until it pays, with room for the swings along the way.

The 6 types of advantage play slots

The main types of advantage play slots, with examples of each
The six kinds of slots that can be worth playing, with examples of each.

1. Must-hit-by jackpots

A cash jackpot guaranteed to pay before its meter reaches a stated cap. The meter resets after it pays, climbs a little with every bet, and the closer it gets to the cap, the sooner it has to land.

2. Must-hit-by features

Instead of cash, the meter holds a feature: free games, wilds or a bonus that must be awarded by a set count. Buffalo Link, Regal Riches and Rocket Rumble all work this way. Our Regal Riches guide shows the play levels for one example.

3. Collected features

Coins, balls, symbols or characters build up one or more bonuses that trigger at random. With no guaranteed trigger point these games swing more, but the collection stays on screen. Examples: Rich Little Piggies, Magic Treasures Gold and Wu Jin Pen.

4. Saved prizes or multipliers

Prizes, multipliers or wilds sit on the screen and carry into later spins. Examples: Frankenstein, with prizes and multipliers above the reels, and Dancing Drums: Golden Drums, with a saved multiplier.

5. Growing reels

Reels get taller as you play and stay that way until a feature resets them. Example: Buffalo Ascension. See our Buffalo slot machine tips.

6. Held symbols or locked spins

Symbols, orbs or scatters stay in place for a few more spins, giving the next player extra chances at a bonus. Examples: Ocean Magic Grand, Ultimate Fire Link Cash Falls and Upshot.

For a closer look at how saved state works across all six types, see Persistent State Slot Machines.

How to recognise an advantage play slot

You don’t need to memorise every title. Look for these on the screen:

  • “Must hit by” or “must award before” printed next to a jackpot or meter.
  • Counters or meters above the reels that aren’t the usual Grand / Major / Minor / Mini progressives.
  • Pots, pigs, bowls, coin holders or collections that visibly fill up.
  • Reels that are different heights, or prizes sitting above specific reels.
  • Different meters at different bet levels. On many AP games each bet level has its own set of meters, so the state you see changes when you change your bet.

Why most AP slots aren’t a play most of the time

  • Meters reset. Right after a feature pays, the machine is back to its starting state and is an ordinary slot again.
  • Other people play them. Machines in a good state don’t stay that way for long.
  • The swings are real. Even a positive-EV play can lose, sometimes badly, before the feature pays. Bankroll matters as much as the read.
  • The details matter. The bet level, the cap, how far along the meter is and the machine’s payback setting all change the answer.

This is the problem Slot Hustlers was built to solve: send a photo of the screen and the bot identifies the game, reads the meters and does the math across the likely payback settings.

Common mistakes with advantage play slots

  1. Treating a regular progressive as “due”. A normal progressive with no must-hit-by cap has no stored value you can count on.
  2. Checking the wrong bet level. The meters on screen belong to the bet you’re looking at.
  3. Ignoring volatility. A collected feature with no guaranteed trigger can take a long time to pay.
  4. Playing on after the feature pays. Once the stored value is gone, so is the edge.
  5. Confusing low cost with advantage. A cheap, low-volatility game is still a negative-EV game. We explain the difference in Low Volatility Slot Machines: What Are They?

FAQ

What is an advantage play slot machine?

A slot that stores progress on screen between players, such as a must-hit-by jackpot, a free-games meter or collected symbols. When enough progress has built up, the next spins can be worth more than they cost.

How many advantage play slot machines are there?

Our list covers 217 game families from more than a dozen manufacturers, including IGT, Light & Wonder, Aristocrat, Incredible Technologies, AGS, Konami and Ainsworth. Many families include several themed versions.

Which slot machines are must hit by?

Cash must-hit-by jackpots include Ainsworth Must-Hit-By, the IGT Classic Hits series, Coin Kingdom and River Dragons. Games with must-hit-by features include Buffalo Link, Phoenix Link, Regal Riches, Regal Link, Rocket Rumble and Stack Up Pays.

Are advantage play slots always worth playing?

No. Most of the time they are ordinary negative-EV slots. They are only worth playing when the progress left on screen is large enough, and even then any single session can lose.

Is advantage play on slots cheating?

No. Choosing which machine to play based on what its screen shows is playing the game exactly as designed. Casinos are private businesses, though, and can set house rules or refuse service.

For players 21+. Expected value is a long-run average, not a guarantee of winning. If gambling stops being fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

For education and entertainment. Slots are gambling and every session can lose. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.