How Free Spins Are Triggered
Scatter Symbols
The most common trigger is landing a set number of scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. Three is typical on five-reel games, while games with larger grids often need four or more.
Bonus Symbols or Combinations
Some games use dedicated bonus symbols, which may need to land on specific reels or along a payline.
Bonus Buy
In some online games, players can pay a fixed price, usually a large multiple of their stake, to enter the free spins round straight away. This raises the amount at risk and does not guarantee a return. See Slot Buy Features Explained.
How Many Free Spins You Get
Games award free spins in different ways:
- A fixed number, such as 10 free spins whenever the feature triggers
- A number based on the scatters landed, such as 10 spins for three scatters, 15 for four and 20 for five
- A random number, revealed by a wheel or pick-and-click game
- A choice, where you pick between options, such as more spins with a lower multiplier or fewer spins with a higher one
The game's paytable shows exactly how many spins are available.
What Happens During Free Spins
Free spins are played automatically at the same bet as the spin that triggered them. Your balance is not charged for these spins, and any wins are added to a running total that is paid at the end of the round.
Many games change the rules during free spins to create bigger potential wins. Common examples include:
Multipliers
Wins during free spins may be multiplied, for example by two or three times. Some games use progressive multipliers that increase with each win, cascade or spin. See Slot Multipliers Explained.
Sticky and Extra Wilds
Wild symbols may stay in place for the rest of the round, appear more often or expand to cover whole reels.
Expanding Symbols
A special symbol is chosen at the start of the round and expands to fill the whole reel when it lands, creating many more winning combinations. Book of Dead is a well-known example of this feature.
Collection Features
Some games add a collector symbol that gathers the values of cash symbols on screen. In Big Bass Bonanza, for example, a fisherman wild collects the cash values shown on fish symbols during free spins.
Upgraded or Removed Symbols
Some free spins rounds remove low-paying symbols from the reels or upgrade them to higher-paying ones, so more wins come from valuable symbols.
Cascades and Multiplier Symbols
In games with cascading reels, free spins often add multiplier symbols that boost the total win of a cascade sequence. Sweet Bonanza and Gates of Olympus are popular examples of this style.
Retriggers
A retrigger happens when you land enough scatters during the free spins round to win additional spins. Depending on the game, a retrigger might add a fixed number of spins, the same number as the original award or more spins with an increased multiplier.
Some games set a maximum number of free spins or a maximum win, after which the round ends. These limits are explained in the game rules.
Why Free Spins Matter to How a Game Pays
Free spins are not really "free". They are part of the game's design and are funded by the bets placed during normal play. In many modern pokies, a large share of the game's return to player (RTP) is paid out through the free spins round.
That has two consequences:
- The base game may pay less, because part of the return is held back for the feature.
- Results swing more, because much depends on whether the feature triggers and how well it plays out.
This is why games with powerful free spins features are often medium to high volatility. A free spins round can pay a large amount, but it can also pay very little, sometimes less than the stake that triggered it.
Free Spins on Venue Pokies
Free games features are common on pokies in Australian pubs, clubs and casinos, usually triggered by scatter symbols and often combined with features such as stacked symbols or multipliers. Many venue pokies also feature hold-and-win style respins, which are explained in our guide to slot bonus features.
Free Spins Features vs Casino Free Spins Offers
The term "free spins" is also used by online casinos for promotions, such as a set number of spins on a particular game when you sign up or deposit. These are very different from the in-game feature:
- They are set by the casino, not the game
- They usually come with conditions, such as wagering requirements, time limits, maximum winnings and eligible games
- Winnings from them are often credited as bonus funds that must be wagered before they can be withdrawn
Always read the full terms of any casino offer. Our Casino Reviews summarise the key bonus conditions for each brand. In Australia, it is illegal for companies to offer online casino games, including online pokies, to people in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Common Misconceptions About Free Spins
"The free spins round is due."
No. Every spin is decided independently by the random number generator. A long run without the feature does not make it more likely to trigger next. See Pokies Myths Explained.
"Free spins always pay well."
No. Some free spins rounds pay a large amount, but many pay modestly, and some pay less than the stake that triggered them.
"Free spins are free money."
No. They are funded by the bets placed on the game and are already included in its RTP.
Playing Responsibly
Chasing the free spins round is one of the most common reasons players spend more than they planned. Decide on a budget and time limit before you start, and stop when you reach them, whether or not the feature has triggered. Our guides on setting gambling limits and recognising gambling harm explain practical steps, and Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.