The free spins bonus round is one of the most popular bonus features slots have to offer. It’s so commonplace that finding a slot game without one may be harder than finding one with one.

This bonus feature offers the chance to receive additional spins that do not take from your funds. But, with all the available slot games out there, triggering this feature can be different in different slots.

So, this Dream Jackpot article is going to discuss the most common ways the free spins bonus round triggers in slot games.

What Is The Free Spins Feature?

The free spins bonus round is a bonus feature that awards an allotted amount of extra spins without wagering your funds on them. So, it offers additional chances to potentially land winning combinations at no extra cost.

The beauty of free spins is that they can come in various forms. Sometimes, you’ll get a set number of free spins, and other times, it might be an unlimited batch with some other form of limit, such as a maximum win amount.

Additional bonuses like multipliers, extra wilds, or expanding symbols may also appear during free spin rounds in certain slot games.

How Do You Get Free Spins?

Triggering free spins isn’t always as straightforward as you might think. Different slots have various triggers for this thrilling feature. Here are some of the most common ways to unlock the free spins bonus round:

- Scatter Symbols: Many slots require a certain number of scatter symbols to land anywhere on the reels in a single spin – typically 3 or more.
- Bonus Symbols: Some slots use bonus symbols as the key to unlocking free spins. These icons usually have to appear in specific combinations. They might take the form of a special character, an object, or even a symbol unique to the game’s theme.
- Progressive Feature: Certain slot games have taken a unique approach to triggering free spins. Instead of relying solely on landing specific symbols in certain positions, they have some form of meter or trail that fills if a certain event occurs, such as landing winning combinations or wild symbols. Then, after reaching a certain point on the trail or filling the meter, you trigger free spins.

Promotional Bonus Offers: Sometimes, casinos offer free spins as part of promotional bonuses, such as a welcome offer. However, these are typically base game spins that are played at no extra cost but are usually subject to wagering requirements.

Best Slots With Free Spins Bonus Rounds

Now that you are aware of some of the different ways to trigger free spins, it’s time to explore some of the best slot games that offer this thrilling feature. Here are a few popular titles that offer a free spins round:

Big Bass Bonanza

This popular fishing-themed slot game has a free spins round that triggers if 3 or more scatter symbols land anywhere in view simultaneously. If you land 3, 4 or 5 scatters, you receive 10, 15 and 20 free spins, respectively. During the free spins bonus round, any wild symbols that land can collect the values of any Money symbols also in view. The wilds themselves are also collected to potentially re-trigger the bonus round.

Book of Dead

Play’n GO’s Book of Dead slot is part of the popular Rich Wilde series of slot games. The free spins round triggers if 3 or more tomb symbols land in the same spin, awarding 10 free spins. What makes this game exciting is its special expanding symbol during free spins, which can fill the reel it lands on to possibly create additional winning combinations.

Gonzo’s Quest

Gonzo’s Quest is an immensely popular slot game from famed developer NetEnt. The Free Falls feature in Gonzo’s Quest replaces traditional free spins, and it comes with increasing multipliers that can turn your wins into a cascade of gold. To trigger the Free Falls feature, 3 Free Fall symbols need to land on a bet line from left to right starting from the leftmost reel.

How Do You Trigger Bonuses On Slot Machines?

Free spins aren’t the only thrilling bonus features in the world of slots. Many slot games offer additional bonuses to help them stand out.

But how do you trigger these bonuses? Well, there isn’t a single method due to the vast number of different slots and bonuses out there, but here are some of the common methods:

Bonus Games: Some slots feature mini-games within the main game. These bonus games are often triggered by specific symbols or combinations and could offer prizes not available in the base game, such as jackpot prizes.
Pick-Me Features: In certain slots, you might encounter a pick-me feature that allows you to choose from a selection of options on the screen. Depending on your choices, you may reveal hidden prizes, multipliers, or even entry to free spins or bonus games.
Random Events: In some slot games, bonuses can be triggered randomly on any base game spin, adding an element of surprise to the gameplay.

Are Free Spins Worth It?

Well, the answer to this question largely depends on which free spins we are talking about.

Free spins as a bonus round you can trigger in the course of playing a slot game with your own deposited funds are widely considered to be worth it, as they offer additional opportunities to potentially land wins without using your own funds.

They can be a valuable tool for extending your gameplay, as they keep the excitement alive without affecting your bankroll. Additionally, with the chance for additional bonuses during the round in some slots, like multipliers, it has the potential to award substantial wins.

However, free spins that are part of a promotional offer are usually subject to wagering requirements and are usually just base game spins played using the equivalent of bonus funds. Some players do not think these free spins are worth it.

It’s also important to note that even if you trigger a free spins bonus round, winning is never guaranteed.

Can You Win Real Money From Free Spins?

Absolutely, you can win real money from free spins. In fact, that’s one of the primary reasons players eagerly await the free spins bonus round. If you land a big win during free spins, the winnings are typically credited to your account as real money.

You trigger the free spins bonus round from a wagered base game spin, so you are playing with your own funds, and the free spins are considered an extension of the triggering spin. Therefore, any winnings made during the free spins are credited to your account as real money.

Each slot game may have its own rules regarding free spin winnings. Some games have maximum win limits, which means you can only win up to a certain amount during the bonus round before it returns you to the base game to play wagered spins again.

However, if the free spins have come from a promotional offer, then the winnings are likely subject to wagering requirements. This means that you’ll need to wager your winnings a certain number of times before you can withdraw them. It’s essential to read and understand the terms and conditions of the casino you’re playing at to know what’s required before claiming any bonus offers.

Conclusion

The free spins bonus round on slot machines is an exciting feature that offers additional chances to possibly land winning combos at no extra cost. They are so popular that most slot games have one, but the trigger mechanisms can vary from one slot to another, as can any additional features that may appear during this bonus round.

As always, it’s important to play responsibly. Remember that even if you trigger a free spins bonus round, there’s still no guarantee of winning.

*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.