Slot games are incredibly popular with players, mostly because they require close to no knowledge to understand and they are fun to watch spin. And multipliers are a common feature you will find when playing online slots. Players love multipliers in online slots because they have the potential to increase winnings many times over. While most multipliers range from x2 to x10, some can go as high as x1,000 or more. This means that multipliers are a big draw for players who want to play online slots that provide the largest win potential, as well as delivering plenty of anticipation and excitement along the way. In addition to the different sizes of multipliers, different types of multipliers trigger during different parts of the slot game. There are many different aspects to every game, and one of the most common is multipliers, and not all multiplier slot features work in the same way. This article describes briefly about multipliers as well as how they can help you unlock some truly massive surprises while playing online slots.
What are slot multipliers?
Multipliers are extras features within a slot game, which can increase winnings by a set figure. Even if you have not done any serious math, you can understand basic multiplications. A 2x multiplier doubles a win, a 3x multiplier triples it etc. For example, some of the multipliers are only available in the bonus or free spins rounds rather than offered in the base play of the slots. Some are attached to specific symbols, on winning combinations, or even just randomly given on any spin.
How online slot multipliers work?
Multipliers do what their name suggests. They multiply bets, line wins and total wins by a certain amount to significantly increase player winnings. The multiplier amount is usually between x2 and x10 but for some slot games, it can be as high as x1,000, x2,000 or even x10,000. Multipliers are denoted by symbols that land during the base game or the bonus game and signify the amount at which the bet, line win or total win is multiplied.
This is an example of how a multiplier can increase your win when it is applied to the total win.
- The player stakes £1 and hits spin.
- During the game, the free spins bonus round is triggered.
- During the free spins, bonus round an x5 multiplier is triggered.
- The player wins a total of £5 during the bonus game.
- The x5 multiplier is then applied to the bonus win, taking the total win to £25.
Different types of online slot multipliers
There are different types of multipliers that developers build into their games. Some are easy to trigger but offer a lower multiplier, some are harder to trigger but offer a higher multiplier. As a general rule, multipliers that land in the base game will be of a lower multiplier because they are easier to trigger. The same applies to multipliers attached to line wins or specific types or combination of wins. Multipliers built into bonus games are much harder to trigger so when they do land, they are of a higher multiplier amount. The same applies to multipliers attached to specific symbol combinations.
These are the main different types of multiplier such as:
Base game multiplier
Base game multipliers are not that common. Because they are easy to trigger the amount the win is multiplied by is much less than in the bonus game where they are harder to trigger.
In most cases, the base game multiplier will be attached to a certain symbol (usually a wild) and the winning combinations that involve that symbol will be multiplied with that value.
For example, if you land five J symbols, one of which contains a multiplier of two, then the multiplier will be on that active winning payline with the amount won from that payline multiplied by two.
Bonus game multiplier
Most slots that feature multipliers are built so that the multiplier is triggered during the bonus game. This makes it harder to trigger but as such the multiplier is often much larger. Bonus game multipliers can be attached to certain features or symbols.
Free spins multiplier
Free spins multipliers are triggered during the free spins game and are usually attached to line wins and overall wins. Free spin multipliers tend to trigger frequently and with large multiplier sizes. Combining free spins and multipliers can lead to huge wins from a relatively small stake, which is why it is such a popular combination with developers and players.
Free spins bonus games with multipliers
These types of multipliers are most common and you will find it a lot in some of the older slot machines. So when you trigger the slot bonus free game feature, you get X amount of spin with an X amount multiplier on all wins. However, in more recent years, it has become more popular to give you a choice. In some games when you enter the free spins round, there is the choice between four options: 8 spins with a 5x multiplier, 10 spins and a 4x multiplier, 14 spins with a 3x multiplier, or 18 free spins and a 2x multiplier. This allows you to choose the volatility of the slot (ie. how much risk are you willing to take for a huge payout) whilst still giving you the thrills of the free games.
Wild multiplier
It is quite common to find wild symbols that also act as a multiplier. When they do, the wild symbol will substitute for any other symbol to form a winning line and then the multiplier will be applied.
Scatter symbol multiplier
In some slots, the collection of scatter symbols can also help to trigger a multiplier. In most cases, the scatter symbol does not have to be on the payline and can land anywhere on the reels to trigger the multiplier.
Random multipliers on a win
So the easiest multiplier to find is the random ones on any win. On any win, you may get a random multiplier added to the win, which adds a moment of excitement to your gameplay.
How to know if a multiplier has landed
Slot developers know just how much players love multipliers so when they build them into a game, they like to make it obvious when the multiplier has been triggered. For example in Jammin Jars game, the multiplier is attached to the wild symbols so when there is a win involving a wild, the symbols move and the multipliers increase. If a win involves more than one wild, the cluster win is multiplied with the combined total of all the multipliers attached to all of the wilds.
Why developers build multipliers into online slots?
Developers include multipliers in their slots because they significantly increase the chance of players landing big, mega and even epic benefits. As a game feature, they are also really easy to understand and players can see the feature working as multipliers increase and their winnings get bigger and bigger. That said, building multipliers into games is tough for developers as they have to balance out providing big win potential with the risk online casinos become exposed to. They spend a lot of time fine-tuning the math model of our multiplier games so that they offer the highest possible multiplier wins while also ensuring the game is viable for the operator. This means running millions of game simulations and then analysing the results.
How to learn if a slot features multipliers?
The best way to learn if a slot game features a multiplier is to read the paytable. Alternatively, when you open the game and the splash screen appears it will usually be highlighted on there.
Should a player play slots with multipliers?
Whenever we see that there is a multiplier slot feature on the paytable we get both excited and cautious. We get excited because it means that there is a chance for a huge payoff somewhere in future spins of this game. But also cautious because it means that this may be the only way to get big wins, meaning the rest of the game is just slowly draining your moneyThe trick is to find real money slots that get that perfect balance. There are 2 chances at getting decent wins, both in the base game or the free spins. Grid slots are also great value for money because they have the avalanching wins, the multipliers and lots of features to keep you entertained while keeping the hope alive of catching bigger wins with multipliers.
Pros of slots with multipliers
- Adds extra thrill when multiplier shows up
- Usually means you can increase the volatility of a slot free spin game
- Multipliers on wilds are an easy way to make the base game more exciting
- Multipliers increase the worth of the slot paytable
Cons of slots with multipliers
- The slot may be dependent on the multiplier to create any win
- The multiplier may be difficult or impossible to trigger, making it worthless
- If the avalanche slot is too volatile and you cannot get the wins, you may get frustrated that you are not catching the multipliers you need.
Conclusion
In short, when used well, slots containing multipliers are a fun easy way to make games more exciting. But it is always more advisable to always look at the paytable and the 5 of a kind wins. If what you win without a multiplier does not appeal to you, then chances are the mobile casino game you are looking at is not for you.