When you play free slot games online with bonus rounds, you can enjoy extra games that add to the fun and often come with additional prizes. These can include extra spins, jackpot payouts, multipliers and even mini game features like a pick me bonus. These bonus rounds can make winning at the slot more exciting and lucrative, as they can increase your chances of landing a major prize.
Unlike real money slots, these bonus rounds are not paid for by additional bets and are activated on every win. This is why these games are so popular with casino punters. They help players practice their strategy and give them a chance to increase their winnings without risking any of their bankroll.
In most cases, you can trigger a bonus round by landing a specific symbol in certain reels or positions. However, the rules of this bonus feature vary from game to game and may include collecting a particular number of symbols or triggering a random feature. In some cases, a bonus feature will award you with a jackpot prize but you should be aware that this is not guaranteed to happen.
While these bonus games can add an extra dimension to your gambling experience, they can also cause you a lot of confusion. It is therefore important to familiarize yourself with their rules before playing them. For example, you should know that some bonus rounds can have a gamble feature, where you must guess whether the next card will be red or black. If you are right, you will double your prize. However, if you are wrong, you will lose everything you have won so far.
Modern online slot developers have started to experiment with different mechanisms for triggering free spins and other bonus rounds. For instance, many of the latest slot games feature cluster pays which allow you to land groups of symbols on adjacent reels. This was first introduced by NetEnt with Gonzo’s Quest and has since been adopted by many of the biggest online slot developers. For instance, Moon Princess and Jammin Jars both feature this innovative slot game mechanic.
Another popular way to trigger a bonus round is through the scatter symbol. This is a special symbol that pays out regardless of its position in the paytable and can trigger a wide range of casino bonuses. In some bonus rounds, you can get re-spins, additional reels or even a wheel of fortune featuring instant win prizes. In most cases, these bonus features will award you with play credits instead of real money.
Themes for bonus rounds can range from space themes to branded titles based on well-known movies and TV shows. For instance, you can play Monopoly Slingo or Monopoly Megaways for a chance to win some big prizes. You can also find games based on famous board games, such as Cluedo Spinning Detectives and Battleship Direct Hit.