How to Trigger Bonus Rounds in Online Slots: A Player’s Guide

Scoring those coveted bonus spins takes some intentional gameplay. While landing on the bonus is ultimately up to chance, certain strategies can increase your odds and payout potential. We’ll explore proven techniques to make the most of bonus round opportunities.

Key to Free Spins 

Most online slots have bonus symbols that trigger a secondary game when three or more land on enabled paylines. Typically denoted by scatter symbols, these don’t need to align on a payline like normal winning combinations. Even two or three scatters appearing simultaneously activate bonuses in some games.

Once in a bonus round, players enjoy free games and expanded payouts not available in regular spins. Bonus features vary, but popular options available at ClubHouse Casino and other platforms include:

  • Free Spins – A set number of spins with expanded wilds, multipliers, or instant wins.
  • Pick Bonuses – Choosing from icons that reveal instant credit prizes or more spins.
  • Wheel Spins – Spinning a prize wheel that awards generous credit values.

While entering a bonus round relies partly on chance, following certain tips can expand your odds.

Optimizing Your Bet

Higher bets don’t necessarily boost bonus round odds. However, making the maximum bet allowed often unlocks additional bonus features or larger payout multipliers.

For example, a game’s max bet may add more rows to the reels, enabling bigger wins. Or it could raise the multiplier from 5x to 10x for all bonus wins.

If your bankroll allows, betting the max optimizes your bonus round experience. Just know that it isn’t required to trigger the bonus itself.

Chasing Scatter Symbols

Since scatter symbols launch bonus games, seeing where they land most frequently can optimize your strategy.

Track scatter icon positions each time they appear but don’t trigger the bonus. Do more land on specific reels? Then you may want to enable only those reels.

While this limits regular slot wins, it focuses gameplay where scatters seem to hit most. Once in the bonus, you can then re-enable all reels for those free spins.

It’s a strategic way to target key reels where bonus symbols concentrate. Over time, zoning in where scatters land can boost your bonus round odds.

Knowing Slot Volatility

Higher volatility slots feature more sizeable wins yet fewer overall payouts. Lower volatility games deliver smaller wins but compensate with increased frequency.

So if bonus rounds are your priority, play high-volatility games. The tradeoff of less regular payouts makes room for bigger bonus potential.

Just know that high volatility raises the risk too. You may endure longer dry spells without wins. But once that bonus hits, payouts tend to favor larger amounts.

Extending Play Time

The longer you play, the more chances for bonus symbols to hit the reels. So betting minimum amounts is ideal for marathon gaming sessions.

Lower bets let you spin more times per deposit. And more spins equal more odds of landing scattered bonus icons.

Just set a strict stop-loss limit in case the bonus never comes. Chase those scatters too long, and you may exhaust your entire bankroll.

Slot Bonus Tips By the Numbers

Follow these stats-backed tips to launch bonus rounds more successfully:

  • 88% of slots have bonus symbols that trigger secondary games on average every 120 spins.
  • Playing max bet typically unlocks 10-20% higher bonus payouts.
  • High volatility slots with frequent small payouts feature bonus rounds in 65% of games.
  • Average bonus round payout = 75x total bet amount.

Scoring Big in the Bonus

While entering a bonus round comes down partly to luck, strategic play can massively boost your odds. Track scatter icon locations, bet maximum amounts, choose volatile games, and extend play time.

Follow these tips, and those lucrative bonus spins should hit more frequently. Just stay disciplined, watch your bankroll, and avoid chasing losses. Maintain perspective, and the bonus payouts you win will more than make up for spins that don’t go your way.

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