Online slots have come a long way since the days of 3×3 fruit slots. Today, there are lots of varieties that aren’t even limited by paylines, and many advanced features that aim to improve experiences for the user. One that’s becoming quite popular is the Bonus Buy feature, which allows slot players to skip the good part of the game. It’s a concept that has proven quite attractive to players, and sites like bonusbuys.com help them identify the best games with the feature.
But of course, as you would expect with slots, there’s more to it than just pressing a few buttons or making a decision. So, what exactly is the Bonus Buy feature, and how does it work? That’s what we’ll focus on today.
What Does “Bonus Buy” Actually Mean in Slots?
When playing a slot, the goal is usually to unlock the special rounds of the game by hitting a specific combination of symbols. The names of the rounds vary from game to game (mostly free spins or bonus rounds), but they all hold the potential for big wins.
However, in typical gameplay, landing the combination is very unpredictable. Sometimes you can hit it after just a few rounds, and in others, it can take dozens of spins. That’s part of the thrill when you finally hit it, but it can also test your patience – and your bankroll.
Bonus Buy changes that.
Instead of waiting for the bonus to trigger naturally, you pay a certain amount to unlock it instantly. It’s like taking a shortcut to the most exciting part of the game, where you’ll find multipliers, sticky wilds, or expanding reels.
The cost for this usually ranges from 50x to 100x your bet, depending on the game. You’ll spend more upfront, but you get a chance to win big without waiting.
It’s important to note that buying the bonus round doesn’t change the mechanics of the game (the RTP and volatility), it just gives you an immediate special round.
How the Bonus Buy Feature Works
While the Bonus Buy feature itself is simple, there’s a lot more that goes on behind the shiny button. Here’s a look at how it typically works:
- You choose your base bet – This is just like any other bet, where you select how much you want to wager. Let’s say $1.
- You click the “Buy Bonus” button – If the game offers the feature, you’ll now see a dedicated button or the option in the interface. Once you click on it, it will show you how much the round will cost. It’s often 100x your base bet, so this would be $100.
- The bonus triggers – The game now skips to the bonus round, just as if you had triggered it organically.
- You play the bonus round – It’s now time to play with the same rules, odds, and volatility as you normally would. Once your bonus round ends, your winnings are added to your balance.
This feature is common in high-volatility games, where the bonus round is hard to land.
Note that it may have some variations based on the slot game. For example, some will let you choose the type of features of the bonus round you want to play, each with its own price and risk level. Others may even include a mystery option that chooses the type for you.
Popular Slots with Bonus Buy
You won’t find the Bonus Buy feature everywhere, but the games that have it also happen to be some of the most popular. Here are a few:
- Gates of Olympus 100 (Pragmatic Play) – 100x your bet to skip to the Free Spins round, where you can get a multiplier of up to 1000x.
- Money Train 4 (Relax Gaming) – 20x to 100x depending on the bonus type you want. Quite customizable.
- Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play) – 100x your base bet to get Free Spins with unlimited win multipliers.
- The Dog House Megaways (Pragmatic Play) – 100x with a choice between Sticky Wilds and Raining Wilds. Each has a different volatility level.
- Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw Gaming) – 100x, 200x, or 400x depending on the bonus type. Options are Duel, Dead, and Super.
Playing this feature is quite exciting, especially if you are the type of player who likes chasing their luck. However, ensure you play responsibly and keep an eye on your budget. And if you are new to the game, play the demo first. This will let you know exactly what you’re buying into.