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How the wheels of fortune and bonus rounds work
Introduction: Why you need wheels and bonus scenes
Fortune wheels and bonus rounds are short episodes of increased attention that add drama and variety without changing the basic mathematics of the game. Their strength lies in clear rules, visible multipliers and an understandable rhythm: how often an event happens and what to expect by the magnitude of the award.
1) Wheel of Fortune: Device "under the hood"
Sectors and weights. Each sector corresponds to a probability (weight). Sum of all weights = 1.
Multipliers/prizes. The sector can give a fix (for example, + 5), a multiplier to the bet (× 2, × 10), or access to a super wheel/super bonus.
Balance by formula. Expected value of the wheel:[
EV_{\text{wheel}} = \sum_{i} p_i \cdot \text{Prize}_i
]This EV is included in the "RTP window" of the wheel episode and in the general RTP of the game.
Cap winnings. The upper limit of the prize (in currency or in bets) is mandatory and must be published.
Animation ≠ chance. Visual speed and duration of rotation - cosmetics: the outcome is determined before stopping.
What wheels are
Basic: one wheel with fixed weights.
Multilevel: "wheel → super-wheel" (a rare sector transfers to the next level).
Event: temporary wheels in seasonal campaigns (weight and prize table - on landing and in help).
Team/social: general drop with the distribution of the prize by participants (logs and transparent division rules are needed).
2) Bonus rounds: Types and dramaturgy
Free Spins with modifiers. Sticky-wild, extenders, multipliers - "gain mode."
Pick-and-Win. Selection of items/doors with different risk profiles (often-few vs rarely-many).
Multiputi. Multiple bonus branches; the player chooses a strategy (without changing RTP, but with a different variance).
Crash episodes. The multiplier grows to "crash"; Cache out is a key decision.
Wheel finals. The bonus ends with a wheel with a public multiplier table.
The bonus balance is built from three values: trigger frequency, average reward, scene duration. Changing one parameter is compensated by others so that the common RTP retains the corridor.
3) Mathematics: how everything converges to RTP
Let (p_{\text{trig}}) be the probability of the round bonus trigger, and (E [\text {BonusPrize}]) be the average bonus award in bets. Then the contribution of the bonus to RTP:[
RTP_{\text{bonus}} = p_{\text{trig}} \cdot E[\text{BonusPrize}]
][
RTP_{\text{total}} = RTP_{\text{base}} + RTP_{\text{wheel}} + RTP_{\text{bonus}} + \dots
]Variance. "Rarely-loudly" increases the range of results and emotions; "often modest" gives a more even experience. Choice - product strategy + honest communication.
4) A design that makes mechanics understandable
One screen - all conditions. Weight table (or ranges), cap, example of prize calculation, contribution to the game (if any).
Honest labeling of outcomes. The payout below the bet is partial compensation, not "win."
Branch previews. For multi-path: frequency/size/risk dies before choosing.
History of events. When the freespins/wheel fell out, which gave - removes disputes.
Speed and availability. Animations ≤ 1-2 seconds between actions, contrast, subtitles, one-handed operation.
Network and protection. Reconnect, anti-double bets, idempotent fixation of outcomes, return on break.
5) Default ethics
No "loss compensation." Wheels and bonuses are not a means of "recovering a loss."
Chances and mouthguards - before the start. Loot mechanics (wheel/chest) are required to publish probabilities.
Without "screaming victories" on micro-prizes. Fanfare - only on really significant wins.
Responsible play nearby. Timers, limits, self-exclusion - in 2-3 taps directly from the bonus screens.
Privacy and compliance. For social wheels: division rules, regions, age, KYC.
6) Balancing: step-by-step scheme for production
1. Assign an RTP budget for the wheel/bonus (for example, + 0. 7 pp).
2. Collect a table of prizes and weights (or ranges) with a clear cap.
3. Model the variance: how many "empty" windows, how often the epics.
4. Define the trigger frequency and the target duration of the scene (Time-to-fun, Bonus Length).
5. Write down the UX rules: one condition screen, history, animation speed.
6. Include responsibility: limits/pauses/XP for healthy actions.
7. A/B tests: hint texts, table visibility, animation pace, tournament wheel point formulas.
8. Prepare post-mortem procedures: what we do in case of failure, the timing of the fix and compensation.
7) Quality metrics
Time-to-Wheel / Time-to-Bonus. How much before the first event.
EV/Prize Mix Health. Share of micro/medium/large prizes vs plan.
Bonus Length / Drop-off. Does the scene tire.
Complaint rate /1k events. Disputability of mechanics (goal - down).
Retention D1/D7/D30. Episodes support but do not replace the underlying value.
Responsible flags. Share of players using limits/pauses after bonuses.
Tech KPIs. Duplicates, reconnections, idempotency of transactions.
8) Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Hidden mouthguards and exceptions. Treated with a single screen of rules to the click.
A drawn-out show at micro-prizes. Shorten the animations, leave "wow" for meaningful outcomes.
Illusion of choice. If all doors are equivalent, sign "cosmetic choice."- Aggressive FOMO. Timers - for rhythm, not for "squeeze."
Unstable network. Wheel/bonus outcome loss - instant loss of trust; need logs and returns.
9) Checklist of production "Wheels & Bonuses v1"
- Published: cap, RTP window, prize/weight table (or ranges).
- Animations ≤ 2 seconds between actions; one screen - all conditions.
- Event history is available in 1 tap.
- Reconnect/anti-double/idempotence/breakage returns.
- Loot chances and tie-breakers (for tournament wheels) - before the start.
- Built-in limits/pauses and responsible play guide.
- A/B plan and postmortem templates are ready.
10) Player checklist: how to understand that everything is fair
Do you see the odds/weights, cap and calculation example?
I understand that animation is a design, and the outcome is decided before stopping?
Any history of my wheels/bonuses?
Can I set a limit/pause right from the stage?
Is there a "holiday" on prizes below my rate?
11) Examples of operational scenarios
"Wheel for a Mission." Completed a quest → one rotation; on the screen: probability table and cap.
"Multiput bonus." The player chooses "often-few" or "rarely-many"; before selection - plate frequency/size/risk.
"Super Season Finale." Wheel with a rare super sector → super bonus; both tables are open in advance.
"Crash Scene." Multiplier growth + autocash out presets (× 1. 5/×2/×3); rule: "does not change RTP, changes variance."
Fortune wheels and bonus rounds work when the math is transparent, UX is fast and honest, and responsible play is built in by default. Visible odds and caps, an understandable choice of risk profile, short animations and logable outcomes turn the "moment of luck" into a clear, exciting and fair episode - without illusions and disappointments.