A feature buy-in slot game is a type of online slot machine that invites you to buy access to a game’s bonus features for a fee. In the base game of most slots, you can gain access to the bonus round by landing special symbols (often scatter symbols) on the grid, which trigger bonus games like free spins features.
However, if a game has a bonus buy option, you can bypass the base game spins required to land the number of scatters, letting you pay to access the exciting features right away. If a game has a bonus buy option, it will be found on one side of the game grid, indicating how much it costs you to buy access to the bonus round.
How Do Bonus Buy Slots Work?
Feature buy slots are the same as conventional slots, the only difference being that you have the option to buy access to the exciting bonus features. You don’t have to pay to access the bonus rounds, and you can still trigger the bonus features via base game spins if you prefer.
But thanks to the presence of a bonus buy menu, you can see how much it costs to buy access to each available feature in the game. You can decide for yourself if it’s worth the fee, and if you think that it is, you can pay to access the bonus round right away for your chance to land some big payouts.
With funds in your account, you can then decide which bonus buy slots to play. The good news is that there are so many types of games with feature buy options – including many of our best games and Stake Original titles – and you can choose from magical slots to those with enticing oriental themes.
If you’re new to online casino games, learn how to play slots with our comprehensive guide so you know what to expect as you spin the reels. You can also trial any of our slots for free in demo mode before playing for real.
Types of Bonus Buy Features & Variations
Several different types of bonus buy options are available, and you can choose the option that best suits your budget and gambling preferences. Some options include:
Free spins feature: Perhaps the most common bonus buy option invites you to buy access to the game’s free spins round. You can often choose how many free spins to purchase, which will be clear in the game’s bonus buy menu.
Enhanced free spins feature: Some games offer you the chance to buy access to enhanced free spins rounds. These are bonus rounds that have additional features such as multipliers, stacked wilds, or higher value symbols, for instance.
Increased chance of bonus features landing: Many slots let you increase the value of your stake, which increases the likelihood of a bonus feature landing. This is a good option for low-budget players.
Jackpot games: Some slots offer bonus buy options for jackpot games, allowing you to buy your way into a bonus round in which various jackpot prizes are available. Learn about progressive jackpot slots and how you can benefit from these popular slots.
Difference Between Bonus Buy & Gamble Options
A slot with a bonus buy option invites you to participate in a bonus game for a specific fee, often given as a multiplier of your bet. When you pay the fee, the bonus round begins, and you have the chance to land wins.
In contrast, a gamble option is where you get the chance to increase the value of wins within a slot game. Also, when you enter a bonus game, you might be presented with a gamble option that gives you the chance to increase the number of free spins or bonus features available.
But be careful – while you can increase the number of spins available, you can also lose all of the free spins, which will prove expensive if you have paid to access the game.
Bonus buy feature costs can vary depending on the slot and the type of feature it unlocks. Typically, they’ll be a multiplier of your current bet rather than a fixed cost. For example, you can unlock the free spins bonus in Sweet Bonanza by paying 100x your bet. Enhanced bonus rounds can be more expensive to unlock, as the potential for big wins is higher.
Pros & Cons of Bonus Buy Slots
Pros:
You don’t have to wait for the bonus features to trigger on random base game spins, saving you time.
You can clearly see how much it costs to enter the bonus round, enabling you to calculate if you think it’s worth the fee.
Most slots offer their biggest payouts in the bonus rounds, so buying access to the features enables you to play for the biggest wins from the very start.
Cons:
Buying bonus features can be expensive, representing a significant chunk of your bankroll, even if you’re playing at low stakes. Use the Stake calculator to set a reasonable budget and follow a betting system to protect your bankroll.
While bonus rounds give you the best chance of landing bigger wins, they’re not guaranteed. If you spend 100x your bet to unlock the bonus, you may not make it back during the feature.
Understanding Odds, House Edge & Return to Player (RTP)
You should always check the house edge and RTP of a slot game before playing. You can find this information in the game description provided by the developer. The industry standard RTP for slots is 96%, but be mindful that the bonus round's RTP might differ from the RTP in the standard game.
Strategies & Tips for Playing Bonus Buy Slots
Here are some handy tips to bear in mind as you spin the reels on feature buy slots:
Slots are games of luck powered by random number generators . Therefore, you can win or lose in equal measure each time you spin the reels.
Each slot has a different pay mechanic, with some having fixed paylines and others having Megaways paylines, for instance. You should always check how a game pays out before playing.
Keep your eyes peeled for the newest games to arrive at Stake.com, as well as Stake Exclusives for the hottest releases from the biggest iGaming providers.
If you're looking to learn more about what other slot mechanics have to offer, check out our guides to features like respins, single payline/reel or cluster pay games!
How to Deposit & Withdraw Funds to Play Bonus Buy Slots
Effortlessly deposit your local currency or crypto units into your account to play bonus buy slots by following these simple steps:
Step 1 – Retrieve your deposit address, located in Wallet > Deposit.
Step 3 – Use your deposit address as the ‘send to’ location for your crypto wallet or exchange.
Step 4 (Optional) – If you wish to make a deposit via local currency, you can purchase crypto from reliable crypto exchange platforms such as Moonpayand Swapped.com.
Learn how to use the Stake Vault to securely store your local currency or cryptocurrency online to fund future gameplay at the Stake Casino. Be sure to read our crypto security and crypto coin guides. You can also refer to our guide that explains how to buy crypto for more information.
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