What Triggers The Free Spins Bonus Round On Slot Machines?

The Free Spins bonus round is a common feature in the modern era of casino slot machines. It can potentially enhance the gaming experience by providing extra spins without needing to place an additional wager. 

The triggers for this bonus round can be quite diverse, depending on the specific game design. However, the most common method is through the landing of matching specific symbols on the reels.

Understanding Slot Bonus Features

Slot bonus features have come a long way since the early days of slot machines. Thanks to advanced video slot mechanics, there is now a plethora of bonus features to entertain and reward players. Among these, the Free Spins bonus round is perhaps the most popular.

To activate a Free Spins bonus round, players typically need to land a specific number of a certain matching symbol. However, other bonus features, such as cascading reels or bonus wheels, may have different trigger mechanisms. It’s always wise to read the game’s paytable or instructions to understand how to trigger these bonus features.

How Do Free Spins Work?

Contrary to some misconceptions, Free Spins are not about playing slot games for free. Instead, a Free Spins round is a bonus feature that can be triggered during gameplay in the course of playing the slot and staking your funds on each spin. 

If you win a Free Spins round, you get a certain number of spins at the same bet level as the triggering spin, but the cost of these spins is not deducted from your balance.

During the Free Spins round, all your winnings are added to your balance. Some slot games even offer the possibility of re-triggering Free Spins during a Free Spins round.

How Do You Trigger Bonuses On Slot Machines?

Many of the slot machines today come equipped with an array of exciting bonus features. Each has its own specific trigger mechanism. Here are some common features and possible triggering mechanisms:

Free Spins & Respins

Free Spins and respins are often triggered by matching a certain number of a specific symbol on the reels. These bonus features award additional spins without deducting funds from your balance.

Multipliers

Multipliers have the potential to significantly increase winnings if triggered. They are often triggered during a bonus round or as part of a special symbol.

Wilds and Scatters

Wilds can substitute for other symbols on the reels to possibly help create winning combinations. They may land randomly during spins. Scatters, on the other hand, can create winning combinations from anywhere on the reels; they are also sometimes responsible for triggering other bonus features.

Cascading Reels

Cascading reels, also sometimes known as tumbling reels or avalanches, are typically triggered if a winning combination lands. The winning symbols are usually removed from the reels, and new symbols drop from above to fill the gaps. 

If the new symbol arrangement forms another win, then another cascade/tumble/avalanche can occur. This process may repeat until no new wins form. This feature has the potential to result in multiple winning opportunities on a single spin.

Can You Win Real Money From Free Spins?

Yes. You can indeed win real money from Free Spins. 

The Free Spins round is a bonus feature where you can win real money without staking any additional funds. Free Spins aren’t free as such since you have to wager real money in the form of your own funds to play the slot game, and it is not guaranteed that you are going to trigger the Free Spins round at any point. 

The winnings from these spins are typically added to your account balance as real money that you can withdraw should you choose. 

Best Slots With Free Spins Bonus Round

There are numerous online slot games that offer a Free Spins bonus round. Here are a few popular options:

Book of Dead

This popular Egypt-themed slot game from Play’n GO has a Free Spins round, which is triggered by landing three or more Tomb scatter symbols in the same spin, awarding 10 spins. 

During the Free Spins round, there is a special expanding symbol which could potentially lead to more winning combinations.

Big Bass Bonanza

Big Bass Bonanza is a fishing-themed slot game by Pragmatic Play with a 5×3 grid layout, 10 paylines, and a maximum potential win of up to 2,100x your stake. 

It has a Free Spins feature that triggers if 3 or more scatter symbols land on the reels simultaneously. You could win up to 20 spins. 

Rise of Merlin

Rise of Merlin by Play’n GO is based on the famous wizard from Arthurian legend. You may come across dragons and other mythical creatures as you spin the reels. There is also a Free Spins round that you can trigger if you land 3 or more scatter symbols in a spin. 

You receive 8 spins, and a random symbol is chosen to be the special expanding symbol for the duration of the feature. You can re-trigger the round by landing 3 or more scatters during the feature. This awards a further 8 spins and an additional special expanding symbol. 

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*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to these slot games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.