Bonus Features: From Nudges to Free Spins
- Classic fruit machine features: Nudges, holds and boards keep things interactive.
- B3 complexity: Trails and gamble ladders ramp up the excitement.
- Online bonuses: Free spins and multipliers take centre stage.
Slot Bonus Features
One of the biggest appeals of slot machines is the range of bonus features they offer. From classic pub fruit machines to modern online slots, these extras add excitement, variety, and the illusion of more control.
Traditional pub features
On traditional jackpot pub slots, features were often built around nudges, holds, and feature boards. Nudges let you move a reel down to complete a win, while holds let you lock reels for the next spin. Feature boards involve climbing a trail to reach bonuses like cashpot rounds or mini-games. These features kept players engaged by adding interaction beyond simple spins.
B3 and arcade features
On £500 jackpot B3 machines, features are more complex. You’ll find feature trails that unlock super spins, gamble ladders where you can risk winnings for more, and random bonus rounds triggered by special symbols. The design is meant to give the sense of progress, even though outcomes remain random.
Online slot bonuses
Online slots take bonuses to another level. Features like free spins, wild multipliers, and “bonus upgrades” (where you pay to increase the chance of a feature) make games feel bigger and more rewarding. Some online slots use the Megaways mechanic, offering hundreds of thousands of ways to win and multiple layers of bonuses.
Why bonuses matter
Bonus features break up the monotony of spinning and add suspense. Even though they don’t change the overall RTP, they affect volatility: some games pay little in the base game but have huge bonus rounds, while others give smaller but frequent features.
The takeaway
From nudges and holds on pub machines to cinematic free spins online, bonus features are designed to keep players entertained. They don’t increase the odds of winning in the long run, but they do make the journey a lot more engaging.