Guide to Online Slots: How Multipliers Work
Online slot games are a staple in the world of digital casinos, offering players an exciting gaming experience with the potential for significant payouts, and one of the most exciting features of online slots is the use of multipliers.
These special features can multiply a player’s winnings, sometimes turning a modest win into a larger payout. In this article, we’ll delve into how multipliers work, the different types available, and how to play slot games with multipliers.
What Are Multipliers in Online Slot Games?
Multipliers are special game features designed to increase your winnings by a set factor. For example, if you hit a win of $10 and there’s a 5x multiplier applied, your total payout will be $50. Multipliers are one of the most coveted features in online slots because they significantly boost payouts with minimal extra effort on the part of the player.
Some popular slot games featuring multipliers include:
Common Types of Multipliers
- 2x, 3x, and 5x Multipliers: Standard multipliers that double, triple, or quintuple your winnings.
- 10x to 100x Multipliers: Rarer but incredibly valuable, these can turn small wins into major payouts.
- Progressive Multipliers: Increase over time or during bonus rounds, similar to how a progressive jackpot builds in size.
How Do Multipliers Work?
The way multipliers function in slot games can vary depending on the game’s design, but they all share one common purpose: to increase your winnings. Multipliers can be triggered in various ways, such as landing specific symbols on the reels or during bonus rounds. Some multipliers apply to the total bet, while others only apply to line bets or free spins.
Triggering Multipliers
- Through Symbols: Specific symbols, such as wilds or scatters, often have multiplier effects.
- During Bonus Rounds: Free spin rounds or bonus games are the most common opportunities for multipliers to be applied.
- Random Occurrences: Some games feature random multipliers that activate unpredictably.
Typical Multiplier Ranges
- 2x to 5x multipliers are common in standard games.
- 10x to 100x multipliers usually appear in special or bonus rounds.
- Some high-stakes slots offer multipliers up to 1,000x or more.
| Multiplier Type | Common Multiplier Range | Best Used In |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Multipliers | 2x – 5x | Base game or free spins |
| Scatter Multipliers | 3x – 100x | Scatter-triggered bonuses |
| Free Spins Multipliers | 2x – 10x | Free spins rounds |
| Progressive Multipliers | Incremental (1x+) | Bonus games, jackpots |
Types of Slot Multipliers
Depending on the slot games you play, you may come across various types of multipliers. They can often be combined with other types of slot bonus features such as wilds and scatter symbols to create additional paylines or opportunities to land a win.
Wild Multipliers
Wild multipliers are symbols that not only substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations but also apply a multiplier to the payout. For example, if you land a wild multiplier symbol and win, the payout could be multiplied by 2x or more.
Scatter Multipliers
Scatter symbols, when appearing in enough quantities, often trigger free spins or bonus rounds, and many come with a multiplier. Scatter multipliers typically apply to the total bet amount, resulting in larger payouts.
Free Spins Multipliers
During free spin rounds, it's common to see multipliers applied to all wins. For instance, in a game with a 3x multiplier during free spins, every win you land will be tripled.
Progressive Multipliers
Progressive multipliers increase incrementally over time or during gameplay. Each consecutive win or each spin can raise the multiplier by a set amount, leading to massive payouts if you hit a big win after several spins.
Bonus Round Multipliers
Bonus round multipliers are exclusive to special bonus games or features within the slot. These can range from 2x to 100x or more, depending on the game’s design.
Popular Slot Games with Multipliers
Some of the biggest and best online slots contain multipliers, significantly increasing your potential winning routes on these games.
Here's a taste of some of our favorite multiplier games:
Gonzo’s Quest
Gonzo’s Quest is famous for its Avalanche Multipliers. After each win, the symbols in the winning combination explode, and new ones fall into place. With every consecutive win, the multiplier increases up to 5x in the base game and up to 15x during free spins.
Mega Moolah
While primarily known for its progressive jackpot, Mega Moolah also features a 3x multiplier during free spins, making it possible to multiply your winnings from free spins and inch closer to the jackpot.
Candy Blitz
Candy Blitz, with its colorful graphics and exciting gameplay, integrates various multiplier features, particularly during bonus rounds where multipliers can boost winnings substantially.
Mobile Slot Games with Multipliers
With the rise of mobile gaming, many online slot games with multipliers are available for play on smartphones and tablets. Some of the best mobile slots offer the same exciting multipliers as their desktop counterparts, allowing players to enjoy multiplied winnings on the go.
Popular Mobile Slots with Multipliers
- Starburst: A mobile-friendly game with wild multipliers that enhance the base game.
- Book of Dead: Features high volatility and substantial multipliers during free spins.
- Starmania features wild multipliers as well as medium to low volatility and RTP of 97.7%.
- Apollo Pays has a bigger-than-average max win (x116,030 your bet) and an unlimited multiplier feature.
Strategies for Maximizing Winnings with Multipliers
To make the most out of multipliers, it’s important to understand how to optimize your play while accepting that there is no way to guarantee a win when playing slots.
- Choose Games with Free Spins Multipliers: Free spins with multipliers are common, and they provide a great opportunity to increase your overall winnings without increasing your bet.
- Look for High Multiplier Slots: Some games clearly advertise their potential for multipliers of 10x or more, so it's worth exploring those if you’re chasing bigger payouts.
- Focus on Progressive Multiplier Slots: Progressive multiplier games grow with every win or spin, so the more you play, the larger your potential winnings can become.
- Manage Your Bankroll: Slots with high multipliers can be tempting, but they may also have higher volatility. Ensure you’re managing your bankroll wisely to stay in the game long enough to benefit from multipliers.
The Role of Multipliers in Progressive Jackpot Slots
Multipliers play an important role in progressive jackpot slots. In these games, hitting a multiplier during a jackpot spin can significantly increase your winnings, sometimes even contributing to the jackpot itself. Games like Mega Fortune and Hall of Gods feature multipliers that enhance not only regular wins but also boost the potential for hitting the jackpot.
Progressive Jackpot Slots with Multipliers
Some of the more popular jackpot slot games, also feature sizeable multipliers, meaning that the jackpot amount can be boosted even further. Our favorite jackpot slots featuring multipliers include:
- Mega Fortune: Known for its high multipliers during free spins, which can lead to bigger jackpots.
- Hall of Gods: Features bonus multipliers that can increase your chances of winning the progressive jackpot.
- Divine Fortune: Featuring a jackpot that regularly hits $1m, this game's multipliers can boost your winnings even further.
- Joker Millions: This game offers simplified gameplay, a progressively building jackpot, and multipliers that boost winnings up to x5.
Multipliers and Game Volatility
The impact of multipliers on a slot game's volatility is significant. Higher multipliers tend to increase a game’s volatility, meaning wins are less frequent but larger when they occur. Understanding a slot’s volatility can help you choose games that match your risk tolerance.
- Low Volatility Slots: Smaller, more frequent wins with lower multiplier effects.
- High Volatility Slots: Less frequent wins but with higher multipliers, leading to bigger payouts when they do occur.
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Slot Multiplier FAQs
What is a multiplier in online slots?
A multiplier is a feature in online slot games that increases your winnings by a specific factor, such as 2x, 5x, or more.
How can I trigger multipliers in slot games?
Multipliers are often triggered through special symbols like wilds and scatters or during free spins and bonus rounds.
Are multipliers available in all slot games?
No, not all slot games feature multipliers, but many popular titles include them as part of their bonus features.
Can multipliers increase progressive jackpot winnings?
Yes, in some progressive jackpot slots, multipliers can significantly boost your winnings, including jackpot amounts.
What are progressive multipliers?
Progressive multipliers increase with each consecutive win or spin, leading to potentially larger payouts as gameplay continues.
Do multipliers affect the volatility of a slot game?
Yes, high multipliers often lead to increased game volatility, meaning wins may be less frequent but larger when they occur.
Which slot games have the best multipliers?
Popular slots like Gonzo's Quest, Mega Moolah, and Candy Blitz are known for their exciting multiplier features.