Online slot bonuses are minigames within a slot that offer different additional features that you can use to try to increase your winnings, such as free spins, multipliers, and jackpots.
Most individual online slots come with their own version of in-game bonuses, although some don’t have bonuses at all. While free spins, spin the wheel, and instant-win bonuses seem to be the most popular, another common developer choice is the picking bonus — a bonus with a pick feature.
What is a picking bonus, and are they predetermined or random? Take a look at all you need to know about slots with a bonus pick feature.
What Is a Pick Jackpot or Bonus?
Just like there are different types of slot games, there are different types of slot bonuses. The pick jackpot or picking bonus is a minigame bonus round where you must select one or more themed objects in order to win a prize. For example, if you’re playing a pirate-themed slot game, you’ll likely have to pick treasure chests, parrots, or ship objects. Prizes could range from instant cash wins and special symbols to free spins, multipliers, and more.
Of course, pick bonuses can also come in various forms. Other than the straightforward pick-and-win discussed above, pick-and-match bonuses will determine whether you win a prize. This involves picking more than one of the themed objects and hoping that the symbols underneath match to award a prize. Most games with this type of bonus will expect you to match three symbols/prizes from the available themed objects in order to win.
Are Bonus Picks Predetermined on Slots?
One of the most common questions around jackpot slots and bonuses is whether the outcome is predetermined before the game. So, are slot bonus picks predetermined, or are they randomly generated?
The answer depends entirely on the slot game and the approach taken by the game developers.
Some slots with bonus picks do have predetermined outcomes. This means that the prizes behind each object in the round are already set and decided before you choose a particular one (or more).
Conversely, many online game developers use random number generators (RNGs) during the bonus rounds. Once you have selected the themed object, the RNG will determine the outcome of the pick. The RNG will generate a sequence of numbers corresponding to the pick combination. Once you select the corresponding object, the RNG is triggered to produce the prize or result. This means every pick in the bonus round is random and not predetermined.
It’s worth noting that RNGs also have a role to play in the fixed pick bonus rounds, as they ensure the prizes behind the objects are distributed evenly over time. So, you won’t find the same prizes behind the same objects every time you play.
How Do Slots Bonuses Work?
When you pick your bonus slot game, understanding how they work is important. Most bonuses are triggered via a combination of scatter symbols on the reels or another unique action. Here are some of the other common bonus features you can expect and how they work:
Free Spins
Free spins are pretty straightforward in that you’ll be awarded a certain number of free spins. This means that you don’t lose any of your money when you are spinning these rounds and essentially that you could form a winning combination without risking your bankroll.
Respin Bonus
Again, the name pretty much gives this one away. You are rewarded an extra spin on your current stake at no cost to yourself. In some cases, you might be awarded a sticky respin, which means that certain symbols will stay in place on the respin to increase your chances of winning.
Instant-Win Bonus
Some slots merely require you to land a set number of bonus symbols to trigger a generous cash jackpot.
Pathway Game
These are entertaining minigames that help you increase your rewards as you go. Normally, you’ll go back to the main game if you lose, but if you make it all the way to the end, you could be in for a hefty prize.
Spin the Wheel Bonus
Spin-the-wheel bonuses are extremely popular. Landing on a certain segment could net you an instant prize or determine the minigame you would need to play to access the prizes.
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