Bonus features in online slot games are additional gameplay elements designed to enhance the player experience and offer more opportunities to win. These features can vary widely depending on the game but generally fall into a few common categories. Here’s how they work:

1. Free Spins

  • Trigger: Free spins are usually triggered by landing a specific number of scatter symbols anywhere on the reels.
  • Gameplay: During free spins, the player gets to spin the reels a certain number of times without betting any additional money. Winnings during these spins are often subject to multipliers, making them potentially more lucrative. For more information please visit Planet77

2. Wild Symbols

  • Types: Wilds substitute for other symbols to help create winning combinations. There are different types of wilds, such as sticky wilds (which stay in place for a set number of spins), expanding wilds (which cover entire reels), and stacked wilds (which appear in stacks on the reels).
  • Gameplay: Wilds increase the chances of winning by replacing missing symbols in a payline. Some games also feature wilds with attached multipliers.

3. Scatter Symbols

  • Trigger: Scatters can trigger bonus rounds, free spins, or other special features when a certain number appears on the reels.
  • Gameplay: Unlike regular symbols, scatters don’t need to be on a specific payline to pay out. They can appear anywhere on the reels, and their main function is often to activate bonus features.

4. Bonus Rounds

  • Trigger: These are usually activated by landing a combination of bonus symbols or through a special in-game event.
  • Gameplay: Bonus rounds are mini-games that take players away from the main reels. They can involve picking objects, spinning a different set of reels, or other interactive elements. Rewards can include cash prizes, multipliers, or additional free spins.

5. Multipliers

  • Trigger: Multipliers can appear randomly or as part of other bonus features, like during free spins or within a bonus round.
  • Gameplay: A multiplier increases the payout of a winning combination by a certain factor (e.g., 2x, 3x, etc.). Some games offer multipliers that can stack, greatly enhancing potential winnings.

6. Gamble Features

  • Trigger: After a winning spin, players may be given the option to gamble their winnings.
  • Gameplay: The gamble feature typically involves guessing the color or suit of a hidden card, with correct guesses doubling or quadrupling the win. However, an incorrect guess could mean losing the entire win.

7. Progressive Jackpots

  • Trigger: Progressive jackpots can be triggered randomly or through a special combination of symbols.
  • Gameplay: A portion of each bet contributes to the jackpot, which continues to grow until a lucky player wins it. Some games have multiple progressive jackpots of varying sizes.

8. Cascading Reels (Avalanche Feature)

  • Trigger: This feature is usually activated after a winning spin.
  • Gameplay: Winning symbols disappear from the reels, allowing new symbols to drop into their place. This can create additional winning combinations in a single spin, with some games increasing the multiplier with each consecutive win.

9. Pick and Win Features

  • Trigger: Usually triggered by landing a certain number of bonus symbols.
  • Gameplay: Players are presented with a selection of items to choose from. Each item reveals a prize, such as cash rewards, multipliers, or additional free spins.

10. Respins

  • Trigger: Respins can be triggered by specific symbols or a near-miss in a winning combination.
  • Gameplay: One or more reels spin again, either for free or at a reduced cost, giving players another chance to land a winning combination.

Summary

Bonus features in online slot games add excitement and variety to the gameplay. They can significantly increase the potential payouts and provide a more engaging experience for players by introducing elements of strategy, luck, and surprise.