Free Spins Bonuses
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could play slots without risking a single penny? Well, that's what you get to do when a slot awards you with free spins! Sometimes called free games, free bets, or bonus spins, these hidden gems allow you to play wager-free for a set number of spins and just watch the cash roll in.
How do Free Spins Work?
Free spins can be triggered in slightly different ways, but most commonly, a slot game launches you into free spins mode when you line up a set number of scatter symbols or free spin symbols across the reels. Just check the paytable on your chosen game to find out its particular rules. Sometimes free spins are awarded as a prize at the end of a separate bonus mini-game. Free Spins are almost always played at the same total wager you bet in the round that triggered them, but some offer a multiplier that varies from game to game.
Note that as a rule, most free spins will be at the same bet in which the triggering spin was made. Thus, it may be in your best interest to use a maximum betting strategy on games with free spins.
Free spins are a slot players best friend. The above image shows free spins triggered in the popular Golden Goddess slot
Retriggering for More Free Spins
Retriggering free spins is an awesome feature found in a large number of slots that enables a player to earn even more free spins during the course of a round of free spins. All you have to do is line up the same number of special symbols that took you into free spins to begin with, and you're awarded an entirely new set of free spins. In theory, retriggered free spins could continue indefinitely, but most slots are programmed to have a max number of free spins that can be won in any round. Furthermore, not all slots offer retriggering though most slots with free spins do.
Free Spins without Retriggering
Checking the paytable of a slot machine will let you know whether or not free spins can be retriggered. If it is not specifically mentioned, you can assume that it doesn't retrigger. In games without a retrigger feature, you simply play out the number of free spins you were awarded. After the last one rolls and you see your bonus earnings, the game automatically takes you back into standard play mode.
Volatility
In some slot machines, before a round of free spins begins, you can choose the number of free spins you want and the associated multiplier. This enables the player to choose the level of volatility they want. For example some games may offer 50 free spins with a 2x multiplier, with higher multipliers available for less spins. For example, you may be offered 30 spins with a 4x multiplier or 10 spins with a 15x multiplier.
Some players prefer to take the larger number of spins as the chances of retriggering are obviously higher, but less risk adverse players may opt for the least number of spins as it offers the highest multipliers and the chances for the biggest wins.
To find out if a game offers free spins, with or without retriggering, simply read the paytable before playing. It's a very common feature in five reel slots and the fun of not knowing when you'll land one keeps the game play exciting.
