AP Glossary
WhatIsLinkGame?
Slot machines featuring hold-and-spin bonus mechanics, typically with progressive jackpots. Examples include Lightning Link, Dragon Link, Buffalo Link, and Mighty Cash. Many link games offer advantage play opportunities through their progressive structures.
Why It Matters
Why this matters for advantage play
The Link family is the most heavily covered AP product on a modern casino floor. Knowing the family's shared mechanics lets you transfer skill between titles — what you learn on Lightning Link applies to Dragon Link, Buffalo Link, and the rest of the lineup.
Lightning Link StrategyCross-Reference
Related terms
Hold & Spin
A bonus feature common in link-style games where locked symbols remain on screen while remaining positions spin for a set number of respins. Popular in games like Lightning Link, Dragon Link, and Buffalo Link.
Linked Progressive
A progressive jackpot fed by multiple machines, causing faster meter growth than standalone progressives. Linked progressives across a bank of machines or an entire casino floor reach +EV thresholds more quickly.
Progressive Jackpot
A jackpot that increases with each bet placed, funded by a small percentage of each wager. Progressives can be standalone (single machine) or linked (multiple machines). When a progressive grows high enough above its reset value, the added value can push the total RTP above 100%.
MHB (Must-Hit-By)
A progressive jackpot guaranteed to trigger before reaching a specified ceiling value. MHB progressives are the most mathematically analyzable form of advantage play because the ceiling creates a known upper bound for expected cost calculations.
Live Examples
Machines that use this
Documented Link machines on Run the Slots. Tap any title for the full advantage play guide.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about link game
Aristocrat is the originator and dominant manufacturer of the Link product family. Other manufacturers have released competing hold-and-spin formats but the 'Link' brand specifically refers to Aristocrat titles.
No. Many link titles are pure entertainment. The APable subset is the one with linked progressives that have meaningful must-hit-by ceilings.
Player engagement, recognizable branding, and the linked progressive's marketing pull. Casinos buy them because they earn well; players play them because the jackpots feel reachable.
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