Slots have gained massive popularity over the last decade-plus and remain the most popular form of gambling – both in a live casino and online. A big part of these games’ success is the modern bonus games and added features such as free spins that keep players coming back for more.
Free spins are extra spins that don’t require an additional wager, allowing players to win more without spending extra. Bonus rounds, on the other hand, are special gameplay features separate from the base game, offering additional chances to win, often with unique mechanics and jackpot opportunities.
So how do bonus games and free spins stack up? Keep reading to learn about these two popular features and how they differ.
Bonus games and free games are extra and don’t require any more wagering to win.
There are numerous types of bonus games.
Free spins accrue winnings and these rounds can also see some of the best symbols more frequently.
The random number generator (TNG) determines the result of all spins.
What are Free Spins?
Free spins can be found on many of today’s video slots that deliver a certain number of reel spins. These can be triggered in many ways and the number of free spins awarded may also differ depending on the triggering combination or symbols. Players love getting some extra bang for the buck as free spins offer the chance to win without having to wager any more money.
Free spins can often reward players with:
Winnings – Plenty of extra cash is on the line.
Multipliers – Rack up even more than in the traditional base game.
Special features – Players may find other features show up like cascading reels, expanding wilds, and more.
Bonus games – Some free spins may even trigger more bonus games (more on those below).
Some slots even offer players a chance to grab even more free spins. Additionally, a game’s better symbols may show up even more during these rounds, giving you the chance to snag more winning opportunities. Players can simply spin and spin to see what develops. At the end of the free spins round, all of the winnings are tabulated and sent to the player bank.
What are Bonus Rounds?
As with free spins, bonus games offer added opportunities for players to earn some winnings without having to spend any more extra money. These can come with numerous added games and winning possibilities that are often separate from the main game and don’t require any additional wagers.
Slots developers have added these elements to infuse some added fun and entertainment value to their games. But it’s important to remember that the game’s random number generator (RNG) is responsible for determining the results of any spin – not the actual reels or symbols. They simply represent the result determined by the RNG.
For many players, bonus rounds can be the best part of playing and is the goal when it comes to finding some major extra winnings such as jackpots, multipliers, and other payout opportunities. Some of the better symbols may show up more frequently during these sins with the lesser-paying symbols showing up less. Bonus games may also award free spins as well.
A game’s scatter symbols may trigger these rounds or they may pop up completely at random, depending on the game. Here’s a quick look at some of the more popular types of bonus games.
Pick and Win – An interactive bonus game in which players select among several options, such as picking a card and trying to match symbols.
Prize Wheel – Players are given the opportunity to spin a wheel with varying prices such as cash payouts, multipliers, free spins, and even other bonus games.
Progressive Bonus Rounds – A bonus game offering a player to win one of the slot’s progressive jackpots.
Gamble Feature – These slots may have players risking some of their winnings in the hopes of winning more. For example, players may have to guess a hidden card or wager on some other element.
Beyond bonus games, there are also numerous other bonus features that give players extra chances to win. Some of those include:
Respins – The reels get another spin when certain symbols or combinations appear.
Cascading Reels – This is feature may trigger when you make a winning combination with some or all of those winning symbols cascading off the reels with other symbols and then popping up.
Wild Symbols – These can substitute for other symbols on the reels to make winning combinations.
Sticky Wilds – Those wilds “stick” in place to substitute for other symbols over a series of spins.
Expanding Wilds –The wild symbols cover an entire reel or section for more chances to grab winning combinations.
Transforming Symbols (also known as Transferring Symbols) – Some symbols may “transform” into other symbols with the potential of seeing better ones.
Multipliers – These are part of a bonus round where a player has a chance to win many times their wager.
Bonus games and bonus features are a key element separating modern video slots from vintage mechanical reel games. They are also plenty of fun and offer some excellent winning opportunities.
Free Spins vs. Bonus Rounds: Advantages of Each
There are some key differences in these bonuses. Both free spins and bonus rounds enhance the slot experience in unique ways. Here's a quick comparison to help you understand their differences and benefits.
Free Games | Bonus Rounds | |
|---|---|---|
Cost | No added wager needed. | Usually no added wager needed, except for games with a gambling feature bonus. |
Frequency | Can be random or when finding key symbols. These | Can be random or when finding key symbols. |
Prizes available | Multipliers, payouts, additional free spins, bonus round opportunities, and more. | Jackpots, payouts, multipliers, free spins, and more. |
Gameplay | Better-paying symbols may show up more often (those that pay out higher amounts when found in combinations). Reels spin repeatedly, accumulating winnings. Additional features, like multipliers or wilds, may also appear during free spins. | Numerous bonus games and features may include some player interaction, a separate screen. Other bonus features, such as cascading reels and sticky wilds, may show up more. |
Key Differences | Free spins are simpler and more frequent. | Bonus rounds are often more interactive and rewarding. |
Player Tips & Strategies
It’s important to play within your bankroll, so playing at lower stakes still gives you the chance to score some free spins and bonus games. As players win more, they then may want to bet more per payline.
Also, look for games that have free spin and bonus game options that best fit what you favor in a game. Keep some of those key symbols in mind as you spin the reels and hopefully, some will show up. Additionally, some games let players pay a certain amount to jump right to the free spins and bonus games. This can be a fun option as well.
Conclusion
Whether you’re playing in a casino on the Las Vegas Strip or for free on platforms like Jackpot Party, slots can make for a real entertaining experience. Bonus games and free spins can be a huge part of that. Free spins give players multiple extra spins. Bonus rounds may be a completely different game feature with the chance at jackpots and other payouts.
The great thing is that they don’t usually require any further wagers and allow you to rack up more winnings for free. Other bonus features such as wilds and transforming wilds may also show up during the base game for a chance at even more winnings. Cross those fingers and some free spins or a bonus round might be heading your way!
