Question 1

What is a must-hit-by (MHB) progressive slot machine?

Accepted Answer

A must-hit-by progressive slot machine has a jackpot that is forced to pay out before the counter reaches a published ceiling value. Because the jackpot must pay by that ceiling, you can calculate the expected value of a play based on the current counter reading and the must-hit-by ceiling.

Question 2

What inputs does the Must-Hit-By Calculator need?

Accepted Answer

You only need two numbers off the glass: the current counter value (what the jackpot reads right now) and the must-hit-by ceiling (the value it must pay by). The calculator uses sensible defaults for counter rate and base game return to estimate expected value and a play/skip verdict; both can be fine-tuned optionally if you know the exact figures.

Question 3

What is the midpoint method used by this calculator?

Accepted Answer

MHB progressives trigger at a random point between a hidden minimum and the published ceiling. The midpoint method assumes a uniform distribution, estimating the average trigger at the halfway point of the remaining range. This is a conservative baseline — some implementations weight toward the ceiling, making the actual expected hit point slightly higher than the midpoint estimate.

Question 4

What does a PLAY, SKIP, or BORDERLINE verdict mean?

Accepted Answer

PLAY means the expected value calculation is meaningfully positive — the counter is high enough that the math favors sitting down. SKIP means the counter is too low relative to the ceiling to justify the expected coin-in. BORDERLINE means the play is close to breakeven and factors like your bankroll, time, and variance tolerance should guide the decision.

Question 5

Is the Must-Hit-By Calculator free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Must-Hit-By Calculator is free for all visitors on Run the Slots. No account or subscription is required to use it.

Must-Hit-By Calculator

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Must-Hit-By Calculator

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