Slots Explained: What Are Bonus Rounds?
Bonus rounds are special features in online slots that offer players extra chances to win beyond the base game. These rounds can include free spins, pick-and-win games, or interactive challenges that enhance gameplay and boost payouts. They add excitement and variety, making slots more engaging. We break down the different types of bonus rounds and showcase the best slots that feature them.
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- Bonus rounds are essential features with various types that offer additional winning opportunities and entertainment.
- The most common bonus rounds include free spins, interactive pick-a-box options, arcade-style games, and more.
- Bonus rounds can enhance a slot’s winning potential through multipliers and special features.
- Play responsibly. Gambling can be addictive.
Definition: What is a Bonus Round?
A bonus round in a slot is a special feature within the game that provides additional winning opportunities and is often triggered by the appearance of specific symbols on the reels. These rounds usually introduce a different gameplay level or new mechanics that can lead to higher payouts.
For clarification: Bonus rounds are not an online casino bonus but rather a game feature.
How to Activate a Bonus Round in an Online Slot
Bonus rounds are usually triggered by the appearance of special symbols, such as scatter or adventure symbols. Here’s how the activation process typically works:
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Identify Key Symbols
Before playing, find out which symbols trigger the bonus round and watch for them as the reels spin.
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Collect the Required Amount
Usually, a certain number of these symbols (e.g., 3 or more) must land on specific or random positions on the reels to activate the bonus round.
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Meet the Requirements
Once the necessary symbols are collected, the bonus round starts. This can happen automatically or require an additional click on ‘Start Bonus'.
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Enter a New Game Environment
You will be taken to a specially designed game area, often featuring new graphics and sound effects.
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Gameplay Shift
The bonus round often includes additional mechanics, such as free spins without deposit, interactive elements like pick-a-box games, or increased multipliers.
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Play Through the Bonus Round
Take advantage of the specific benefits of the bonus round and familiarize yourself with its requirements and rules to maximize winnings.
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End of the Bonus Round
After the bonus round ends, the game automatically returns to normal mode, and all winnings from the bonus round are credited to your balance. In some slot machines, new bonus rounds can be triggered during the bonus round.
How Bonus Rounds Change Gameplay
The following table shows how different bonus rounds can alter gameplay.
| Bonus Round Type | Triggered By | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Free Spins | 3+ Scatter Symbols | Free spins with multipliers |
| Pick-a-Box | Bonus symbol on a payline | Choose boxes for random cash prizes |
| Arcade-Style | Special bonus graphics | Interactive games with skill elements |
| Cash Trail Bonus | Bonus symbols on consecutive reels | Move along a path collecting prizes |
| Wheel of Fortune | Three or more wheel symbols | Spin a wheel for instant wins, multipliers, or bonuses |
| Level-Up Bonus | Specific combinations or collections | Progress through levels with bigger wins and bonus rounds |
| Sticky Wild Rounds | Combination of wild and bonus symbols | Wilds remain in place during the bonus round |
| Multiplier Bonus | Combination of scatters or bonus multipliers | Winnings are multiplied by a fixed multiplier |
Pros and Cons of Bonus Rounds in Slot Machines
- High winning potential: Bonus rounds offer the chance for big payouts, often through specialized features such as multipliers or extra spins.
- Exciting variety: They add new dimensions to the slot game and offer variety through different game modes and mechanics.
- Increased excitement: Introducing interactive elements or thematic mini-games livens up the gameplay. Especially if you already know the slot well.
- Tactical Options: Players may choose to experiment with strategies, making decisions and trying to influence the outcome of the bonus round.
- Increased Wagering: Bonus rounds are not triggered frequently. This can lead to players placing more bets than originally planned.
- Complex: The bonus rounds can be complicated and confusing for inexperienced players.
- Longer gaming sessions: The excitement and objectives in bonus rounds can lead to extended gaming sessions that exceed the initially planned time frame.
Strategic Considerations About Bonus Rounds
A deep understanding of how bonus rounds work is important in order to adapt your game strategy accordingly. As a player, you have to familiarize yourself with the respective activation conditions and winning potential of the rounds and strategically adjust the stake level in order to trigger the bonus rounds with minimal risk. For example, many people use the slot machine 2 euro trick , which still stubbornly persists among the slot myths.
Different Types of Bonus Rounds
Like all slot features, bonus rounds come in different variations. Here, we explain the most popular types.
- Classic Free Spins – Seen in Starburst
- Pick-A-Box – Seen in Ramses Book
- Arcade Style – Seen in Castle Builder
- Cash Trail – Seen in Monopoly Megaways
- Wheel of Fortune – Seen in Fat Mama's Wheel
- Level Up – Seen in Vikings Go Berzerk
- Sticky Wild Rounds – Seen in Dead or Alive II
- Multiplier Rounds – Seen in Gonzo's Quest
Classic Free Spins – Seen in Starburst
Free spins are one of the most common bonus rounds in slots and are triggered when a certain number of scatter symbols appear on the reels, usually three or more. During free spins, players can use free spins, often combined with multipliers that further increase winnings. These rounds offer the chance to win big payouts without additional bets.
A well-known example is the slot Starburst, which offers players the chance for higher winnings through its free spin multipliers.
Pick-A-Box – Seen in Ramses Book
In Pick-a-Box bonus rounds, players choose from multiple options, with each box hiding random bonus offers. These bonuses can appear as instant wins or additional free spins, adding an exciting element of choice to the game.
| Best casino to play: | CoinKings |
|---|---|
| Theme: | Egypt |
| Software provider: | Gamomat |
| RTP: | 96,15 % |
| Min bet | 0,05 |
| Max bet | 100 |
| Max win | x30.000 |
Ramses Book by Gamomat is known for this feature, allowing players to make interactive decisions about their potential winnings.
Arcade Style – Seen in Castle Builder
Arcade-style bonus rounds integrate mini-games into the slot that require skill and strategy. These rounds have interactive elements that make the gaming experience more dynamic.
| Best casino to play: | Jackbit Casino |
|---|---|
| Software provider: | Rabcat |
| RTP: | 96,47 % |
| Min bet | 0,01 |
| Max bet | 50 |
| Max win | x20.000 |
The slot Castle Builder offers such a bonus round, where players can actively participate.
Cash Trail – Seen in Monopoly Megaways
The Cash Trail bonus is triggered when bonus symbols appear on consecutive reels. Players move along a path, collecting prizes that increase their total winnings.
| Best casino to play: | CoinKings |
|---|---|
| Software provider: | Big Time Gaming |
| RTP: | 96,39 % |
| Min bet | 0,20 |
| Max bet | 40 |
| Max win | x14.750 |
In the slot Monopoly Megaways, players can advance across the iconic Monopoly board, collecting significant winnings along the way, enhancing both excitement and potential rewards.
Wheel of Fortune – Seen in Fat Mama's Wheel
The Wheel of Fortune feature is activated when at least three wheel symbols appear on the reels. In this bonus round, the player spins a fortune wheel that offers various prizes, multipliers, or other bonuses.
| Best casino to play: | CoinKings |
|---|---|
| Software provider: | Fugaso |
| RTP: | 93,5 % |
| Min bet | 0,20 |
| Max bet | 90 |
| Max win | x1.650 |
The slot Fat Mama's Wheel is known for its wheel bonus game and is popular among fans of comic-style slots.
Level Up – Seen in Vikings Go Berzerk
In Level-Up bonus rounds, players progress through different levels by completing specific combinations or collecting symbols. Each level offers bigger winnings or additional bonus rounds.
| Best casino to play: | Bets.io |
|---|---|
| Theme: | Gold, Vikings |
| Software provider: | Yggdrasil |
| RTP: | 96.1 % |
| Min bet | $0.10 |
| Max bet | $125 |
| Max win | x4,000 |
Vikings Go Berzerk is an example of a slot that uses this feature, allowing players to complete mission objectives that lead to better bonuses.
Sticky Wild Rounds – Seen in Dead or Alive II
In Sticky Wild rounds, wild symbols are combined with bonus symbols that remain in place during the bonus rounds, increasing the chances of winning combinations.
| Best casino to play: | CoinKings |
|---|---|
| Theme: | Wild West |
| Software provider: | NetEnt |
| RTP: | 96.82 % |
| Min bet | $0.09 |
| Max bet | $18 |
| Max win | x111,111 |
A prime example of this feature is Dead or Alive 2, where Sticky Wilds appear during free spins and can lead to significant winnings.
Multiplier Rounds – Seen in Gonzo's Quest
In Multiplier bonus rounds, all winnings are multiplied by a fixed multiplier after being triggered by scatter symbol combinations or bonus multipliers.
| Best casino to play: | CoinKings |
|---|---|
| Theme: | Adventure, Gold, Treasure hunt |
| Software provider: | NetEnt |
| RTP: | 95.97 % |
| Min bet | $0.20 |
| Max bet | $50 |
| Max win | 2,500x |
The slot Gonzo's Quest is known for its bonus rounds, where the multiplier increases with each consecutive win, allowing players to enjoy big payouts.
Comparison to Other Slot Features
Bonus rounds differ significantly from other features in online slots, such as wilds and scatter symbols, offering players a separate game environment with unique mechanics.
Wild symbols complete winning combinations, and scatter symbols are often used to trigger free spins. The bonus rounds themselves go far beyond that: they offer interactive elements and extended game modes. This not only brings a high chance of payout but also increases the variety of an
online slot.
Popular Slots With Bonus Rounds
| Slots | Jammin' Jars | Immortal Romance | Extra Chilli Megaways | Reactoonz 2 | Sweet Bonanza |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | Push Gaming | Microgaming | Big Time Gaming | Play’n Go | Pragmatic Play |
| RTP | 95,25 %-96,83 | 96,86 | 96.15-96.82 | 96.2 | 96.51 |
| Theme | Fruits | Love, Vampires | Fruits | Monster, Sci-Fi | Candy, Fruits |
| Paylines | – | 243 | 117,649 | Cluster | – |
| Min bet | 0,20 | 0,30 | 0.20 | $0.20 | 0.20 |
| Max bet | 100 | 30 | 20 | $50 | 125 |
| Max win | x19.998,5 | x12.000 | x16,877 | 5.083x | 21,175 x |
Game Developers of Slots With Bonus Rounds
Almost every casino software provider has now developed slots and slot machines that use bonus rounds as a feature. Nevertheless, it is important to note that not every slot has this feature, and not every slot needs such a feature to be well received by players.
Conclusion: Bonus Rounds Enhance the Gaming Experience
Bonus rounds in online slots enrich the gaming experience by providing excitement and variety beyond the base game, allowing players to maximize their chances of winning through exciting and interactive elements.
Bonus rounds bring new and exciting elements to the main game through free spins, selectable pick-a-box options, or creative arcade-style rounds. These features increase interactivity and make slots thematically richer and more entertaining, keeping players on the reels for longer.
Used with the right strategy, bonus features can lead to exciting and rewarding adventures at crypto casino sites.
As always, play responsibly. Gambling can be addictive.
FAQs About Bonus Rounds in Online Slots
Bonus rounds are special game modes within a slot that are triggered by meeting specific conditions and can include various interactive elements. Free spins are a type of bonus round where players receive a set number of spins at no cost, while other bonus rounds may involve tasks or mini-games requiring skill or decision-making. This should not be confused with a free spins casino bonus, which can be credited upon a deposit.
To get the most out of bonus rounds, players should thoroughly understand the rules and mechanics of the special features. Playing in demo mode can help develop strategies without risk. Additionally, adjusting the bet to trigger bonus rounds with minimal risk can be beneficial.
The frequency of bonus rounds depends on the design of the individual slot. Some games are designed with high volatility, offering fewer bonus rounds but larger payouts when they do trigger. Players who want to experience bonus rounds more frequently should look for slots with lower volatility, which offer more frequent but smaller bonus rewards.
Not all slots feature bonus rounds. Traditional retro slots or classic fruit machines often omit these extra features to maintain a more straightforward gameplay experience. Modern video slots are more likely to incorporate bonus rounds to enhance gameplay and increase potential winnings.
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