Bonus Game Mechanics Facts
The bonus game is the "second scene" of the product: a rare, greasier event that redistributes some of the RTP from the base game to increased variance. Below - how it works: from trigger and distributions to honesty and selection practices.
1) Bonus is not a "gift," but part of mathematics
RTP title is divided into the contribution of the base and bonus (example: base 66-72%, bonus 24-30%).
Volatility: the higher the share of RTP in the bonus and less often it works, the "sharper" the variance.
Honesty: the outcomes of the bonus are determined by the same RNG/mapping; the "show effect" does not change probability.
2) How the bonus is activated (triggers)
Scatter trigger: 3 + characters anywhere. The chance depends on the number of reels/rolls.
Counters/meters: collect symbols/" energy "to the threshold (100/200, etc.).
Cascades/Combos: A series of spin wins opens up a "super spin" or bonus.
Random trigger: random intervention (animated "hand of fate") with a fixed chance.
Live show: the wheel/sector of the bonus with its probability.
3) Bonus formats (core mechanics)
Freespins: N free spins with a modified table (more wild, extra-reels, increased multipliers).
Pick & Click: selection from cells with prizes/multipliers; behind the scenes - pre-sampled distribution.
Respins with sticky objects: sticky/locking wilds/coins; hold until the end of the round.
Multiplier ladders: ladders x2→x3→...; growth by triggers or each cascade.
Collection/hold-and-win: collect coins with denominations, three "empty" in a row - the end (or timer of moves).
Gamble/risk wheel: Exchanging a low bonus for a chance to get a higher one (with known probabilities).
Mod pick: the player chooses one of the bonus options - few spins/large multipliers vs many spins/modest multipliers.
4) Retrievers and extra-features
Retrigger: The same scatters inside the bonus add backs/multiplier levels.
Transfer progress: accumulations from the base (meters collected by wild) are active in the bonus.
Character upgrades: low characters are removed/merged into more valuable ones.
Mystery/expanding: hidden characters open the same; expanding wild close the drums.
5) Feature Buy ("bonus buy")
The price is usually 50 × -150 × rates for immediate entry.
RTP for "buy" may differ (often slightly above/below the basic configuration - indicated in the info).
Risks: an increase in the rate of bankroll "burning" and dispersion; mathematics is honest, but compressed in time.
6) Frequency and contribution to RTP: what's under the hood
Hit rate of the bonus: trigger probability (for example, 1 in 120).
Average bonus win: EV bonus round (e.g. 18 × bet).
Link: bonus contribution to RTP ≈ hit rate × average win/average bet.
Important: a large "max-wine" does not guarantee a high EV - it only expands the right tail of the distribution.
7) Why the bonus "seems" more generous
Display psychology: multipliers, fanfare, long scenes enhance the experience.
Distribution of winnings: the bonus concentrates large outcomes → subjectively "tastier," but less often.
8) Integrity and bonus audit
The same principles: RNG/mapping is fixed by the version; the bonus is tested in the same way as the base.
Simulations: laboratories run millions of bonus rounds: frequencies of triggers, retryggers, quantiles of winnings, descent to the declared RTP.
Logs: each bonus has an ID and is played through the log (sid/nonce/input parameters).
9) Player Choice Impact
Mod-select: variants (few/many spins, different multipliers) have the same EV but different volatility.
Gamble: expectedly neutral or slightly negative; needed for "drama," not for EV growth.
Optimality: if different RTP modes are specified in the info, choose above.
10) Live bonuses (wheels, show games)
Bonus sectors have public probabilities; inside - a mini-game with a fixed distribution.
Overlay multipliers (x2/x3 before spin) evenly multiply the future sector - embedded in the model.
11) Frequent myths - and how really
"If there is no bonus for a long time, it will soon fall out." No: events are independent.
"In hand back bonus more often." No: the interface does not affect the RNG.
"Buying a bonus boosts the RTP of the entire game." Optional: see separate RTP for buy mode.
Choosing the "right" cell is a skill. No: the content is determined by the RNG before the click/at the click, not by "intuition."
12) How to read the game info screen (mini-guide)
RTP and volatility: basic/bonus contribution, note for "bonus buy."
Bonus frequency: Direct numbers are not always found, but sometimes indicated.
Max-wine: payment ceiling (for example, x10 000); useful for estimating "tail fatness."
Retrigger/modifier rules: when spins/multipliers are added and at what chance.
13) Risk management in bonus games
Bankroll: Lay long "dry" series before the trigger (especially in high-vol).
Pace: bonuses lengthen the time of one round - control the duration of the session.
Feature Buy: plan the number of purchases and "stop" in advance; it is a dispersion compressor.
14) For the advanced: what providers do
Ladders and soft-cap: limiting ultra-rare outcomes to control tail risk while maintaining claimed RTP.
Dynamic weights: Within a bonus, symbol probabilities may differ from the base (described in the description).
RTP versions: one title - several configurations; each is separately certified.
Brief Profiles of Mechanics
1. Frispins + progressive multiplier
Most often in cascade slots. EV grows by the end of the round → the feeling of "overclocking."- 2. Hold-and-Win (coins/orbs)
- 3. Pick-bonus with levels
Collect symbols to go to the next layer of prizes; EV is distributed across levels.
4. Bonus Wheel / Gamble
The wheel divides space into sectors of varying value; graph ≠ probability - it is fixed by the table.
5. Mystery symbols in the bonus
Synchronous reveals increase line correlation → jump wins.
Check sheets
For the player
- Looked at RTP (including for bonus buy) and estimated volatility.
- Understand Trigger/Retrigger and Maximum Gain.
- Chose a mode (if any) for my risk profile, do not chase the "mythical" option.
- I control the pace and budget; feature buy has a predefined number of attempts and stops.
For operator/content
- The display shows the correct RTP variant and bonus rules.
- Support is ready to issue a round ID and a dispute statement.
- Monitor bonus frequencies and contribution to RTP; are tuned to drift.
The bonus game is a concentrated variance, not a "loophole for easy money." Its honesty is provided by RNG and fixed mapping tables, and the "magic" is the dramaturgy of the interface and rare major outcomes. Play mindfully: read the info screen, evaluate RTP/volatility, plan pace and budget. Then the bonus will remain what it was intended to be - a bright episode, and not a reason to lose control.