Main Bonus Features in Pokies

On this page, we will be taking a look at some of the main bonus features you can usually find in today's best online pokies from various leading online casino game development studios.

Pokie games bonus features tend to include things like Free Spins Bonus Rounds, Wild Symbol features, Respins features (with locking symbols), simple Picking Bonus features, a Cascading/Avalanche/Rolling Reels feature, and Wheel of Fortune-style features. Take a closer look at what this means right here.

What are the main bonus features in today's online pokies?

Each online pokie is different in terms of which bonus features it offers.

They can randomly trigger on any lucky spin, and the features usually (not always) trigger when certain symbols land in a specific order across the reels or when a certain number of special symbols known as Wild Symbols, Scatter Symbols or Bonus Symbols land anywhere in view.

The main bonus features you are likely to come across when playing mobile or desktop pokies today are the following:

1. Wild Symbol features – this can include various features, such as Expanding Wild Symbols, Shifting Wild Symbols, Stacked Wild Symbols, Locked/Sticky Wild Symbols, and Multiplier Wild Symbols.
2. Respins features – this is where certain symbols or reels lock in place, and the remaining symbol positions/reels respin for free to try and improve the current win, create a win that otherwise wasn't there, or bring in that third Scatter Symbol to trigger the Free Spins Bonus.
3. Free Spins – this is the number of Free Spins you receive to hopefully win big prizes. During the feature, it's usually possible to RETRIGGER even more Free Spins, Jackpot Bonuses and other Bonus Rounds. In most slots, you generally start with 8, 10, or 12 Free Spins.
4. Cascading/Avalanche/Rolling Reels feature – this feature triggers each time a winning combo forms. Once triggered, any winning symbols that are in view will be held in place, and the remaining symbol positions/reels will respin for free to try and improve the current win.
5. Wheel of Fortune-style bonus features – this is where you get to spin a prize wheel, and wherever the ticker lands after the wheel has finished spinning, you will win the prize, normally Cash Prizes, Free Spins, and Multipliers (e.g., 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X).
6. Picking Bonus – this is a simple side game that usually takes place away from the reels. You will be presented with a certain number of objects (let's say 15), and all you need to do is click on the items to reveal hidden prizes. Sometimes, you can get extra picks to win even more prizes during these features. As soon as you have finished making your picks, the bonus feature will end.

How do the bonus features trigger in online pokies?

The bonus feature can randomly trigger at any time by any player playing with any stake. In other words, you can do nothing to force these features to trigger.

However, some online pokie bonus features are becoming so popular that many software providers who develop these games (such as NetEnt, Blueprint Gaming, Pragmatic Play, and several other top companies) give players a chance to BUY DIRECTLY INTO THE FEATURE at the start of any spin, thanks to an optional new side bet.

However, this can get quite costly, especially if you keep buying in early on every spin. It can often set players back up to 500x times their total current stake each time.

The total amount it costs to buy directly into the feature will always be clearly displayed for you. Don't forget that buying into a feature early doesn't always guarantee that you will win, so only buy in early if you can afford it and only if you're feeling really lucky.

Final note

Remember to set your stake to a value you're more comfortable with when playing online pokies for real money before hitting the spin button. Don't just play online pokies out of sheer necessity and try not to chase your losses.

Where possible, you may even want to practice playing certain online pokies in the free-play demo mode before playing them for real money, just until you get good.

Finally, you can learn more about which special symbols will trigger the in-play bonus features, the payline structure, how to play the bonus features, and so much more simply by heading to your chosen online pokies' paytable.