Types of Free Spins Features

Read on for everything you need to know about Free Spins Features. We discuss what Free Spins are, how to get them and the kinds of Free Spins

What are Free Spins Features?

Free spin bonus features are one of the most prevalent in slot games. Not only are they generally more enjoyable to play than the base game, but also increase the chance of an even greater payout. Free spins in various games ‌have the same concept. A player gets awarded with a number of free spins, with more often than not the winning being accompanied by multipliers.

These bonus features can in some cases be retriggered multiple times during the free spins. Some games even offer extra special symbols and substitutes with higher values, while some can even unlock another bonus game.

Triggering the free spin session has the potential to hit major wins and that is why they are so popular with players.

Free spins are the most standardized bonus feature in online slots. Ordinarily, these spins are awarded when 3 or more scatter symbols appear on the reels in the base game. Triggering the free spins rises the odds of increasing any payouts. In some instances, games will have a set amount of bonus spins with a multiplier attached to the winning combinations.

Once the session has concluded, players return to the base game to continue their regular gameplay. All winnings collected from the free spins feature are added to the existing bankroll.

How to activate the Free Spins Feature

There are three sure ways of triggering a free spins feature, different games make use of different triggers, and sometimes they use more than one. The most commonly used trigger is by landing three or more scatter symbols anywhere across the whole reel. Generally, the more scatter symbols, the more free spins will be awarded. Next is by landing a compilation of special symbols, and finally by randomly activating a free spin feature after a paid spin.

Studying the slot games paytables will give players a clear understanding of what they can expect and what they are ultimately looking for.

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Different types of Free Spins Features

Set Free Spins with Multipliers

A fixed number of spins accompanied by a multiplier is the most typical form of the free spin bonus. A special spin feature could be activated, rewarding 10 spins along with any wins multiplied by 3x for the remainder of the bonus session. 10 Free spins might not seem too much, but rest assured as re-triggering spins are a big possibility, increasing the chances of major payouts drastically.

Variable Free Spins and Multipliers

Many slot games are developed to offer various spins depending on how many scatter symbols were triggered on the reel. Spins can vary from between 10 to around 30 spins per triggered feature, with a multiplier increasing each winning combination.

The second reel

Players will find with some games that the bonus free spins are rolled on an utterly separate reel from that of the base game‌ including exclusive symbols or even extra bonus features.

Choosing between Spins and Multipliers

Here the decision and risk are left in the hands of the player. In the event of a triggered bonus feature, the player will typically have an option between fewer spins with an enticing multiplier or more spins with a much lower multiplier. Choice stands between the number of spins or the magnitude of winning multipliers.

Choices could typically range between 6 spins with an x5 multiplier, 10 spins with an x4 multiplier, 15 spins with a x3 multiplier, or 20 free spins with an x2 multiplier.

The ‘Pick ’em feature

Several game developers created a way for players to have a more hands-on approach to the outcome of the spins and or multipliers. These games do not have a fixed number of free spins or multipliers. Players will first engage in an interactive mini-game to determine how many free spins will be awarded. Say a free spin feature was triggered, the player will first have to choose from a few objects in line with the game’s theme to reveal the total of free spins, or they will have to partake in a mini-game to determine the outcome of multipliers or free spins.

Additional bonus features are added in some slot games to make the free spins, adding more excitement and a greater chance for big wins.

Expanding Bonus Symbols

In the event of a triggered free spin bonus, a randomly selected symbol will become the expanding symbol within the bonus session. This symbol will expand across the whole reel on which it appears. The more reels that are filled with the expanding symbol on a single spin, the more the monetary gain. Ideally, players wish to fill the entire grid with the most valuable symbol.

Expanding Wilds

In most games, there are wild symbols acting as substitutes for any symbol needed. Within free spin games, wilds can also expand to fill the reel on which they landed, improving players’ chances at colossal wins.

Sticky wild Symbols

While the reel is spinning and the wild icon land anywhere on the playing grid, it will stay in place for the remaining free spins. More than one wild symbol can stick on a single spin.

Retriggering Free Spins

Before gameplay begins, refer to the game’s paytable to review if the free spins can be retriggered. It is always helpful to have as many free spins as possible available. Re-triggering free spins can occur indefinitely. However, this is not an ensured occurrence but mere luck.

Free spins can be retriggered in the same way the first bonus round was activated.

Conclusion

Free spins are an added bonus to the enjoyment and longevity of a game and the increased potential for significant wins. The bonus feature is usually captivating by making use of exciting animations and sounds, drawing players in.

Having knowledge of a game’s RTP and variance will count to a player’s advantage when approaching different games. This information can disclose whether a game will land free spins more often with a lower payout or free spins feature harder to land with a greater payout potential.

Pros

  • Free spins add excitement to a slot game, giving the player a goal to achieve within the base game.
  • Bonus symbols within free spins increase the winning potential of the bonus feature, which could land the player huge wins.
  • Re-triggering spins grow the chance of bigger wins, allowing the player another chance to collect bigger payouts.

Cons

  • Free spins can be hard to come by. They often need to be triggered by special symbols which might not land regularly.
  • Bonus features may not reach the expected payout or even not pay anything in some cases.
  • Players can run down their bankroll drastically when chasing after free spin features. You could spend more money chasing the feature than you make in the bonus round.

FAQs

Games with good RTPs (Return to Player) percentages and medium variance will land free spins more often with a lower payout. In contrast, games with higher variance have the potential for massive wins but triggering the bonus features are few and far between.

All slot games are not the same. Some will have a fixed number of free spins awarded, whereas others offer a variable number of spins depending on the types of free spins received. Re-triggering the bonus feature also adds to the number of spins. Free spins range between 4-30 spins per session.

No, not all games are developed with this bonus feature. It is important to study the paytables of different games in order to know what to expect before starting gameplay.

The auto-play option is only there to relieve the player of frequently having to press the spin button. Games are developed with Random Number Generator software, enabling random and unique results with each spin. The way a game is operated has no influence over the spin results.

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As a content writer specializing in iGaming, my goal is to keep players informed about the latest industry trends and game releases. I also strive to deliver honest and insightful content that adds value to players' experience.