Alright everyone, let's talk about something that's become a huge deal in the online slot world: Bonus Buy slots. If you've been playing for a bit, you've probably seen that button – usually prominently displayed – that promises instant access to the game's main bonus round. It's a game-changer for many, and for others, it's a huge red flag. My goal here is to give you my honest take, straight from my own play sessions.
For me, it’s all about getting to the good stuff. I mean, who wants to grind through hundreds of spins sometimes, just hoping to land three scatters? Not me, not always anyway. This feature lets you skip that wait, but like anything in slots, it comes with a price, literally.
So, What Exactly Are Bonus Buy Slots?
Simply put, a Bonus Buy slot, also known as a Feature Buy or Buy Pass game, is a slot machine where you can pay a direct upfront cost to trigger the main bonus feature instantly. Most of the time, that bonus feature is a Free Spins round, but it could also be a picking game, a respin feature, or something else entirely. If you're curious about what those common features are, I've covered a bunch of them in my slot features explained post. It's basically a shortcut to the part of the game that usually holds the biggest win potential.
Think of it like this: normally, you spin, and you wait for those special symbols to land in just the right way to unlock the bonus. With Bonus Buy, you just pay a set amount, click a button, and boom – you're in the bonus round. No waiting, no grinding, just instant action.
How Does the 'Buy' Part Work?
The cost of buying a bonus varies wildly from game to game, and even within the same game sometimes. It's usually quoted as a multiple of your current bet size. For example, a common price is 100x your bet. So, if you're betting $1 per spin, buying the bonus would cost you $100. Some games might offer different tiers, like 50x for a 'light' bonus or 200x for a 'super' bonus with extra features. It can get expensive quickly, so keep that in mind.
The Upsides: Why I Sometimes Love Bonus Buy
From my perspective, there are some pretty clear advantages to these games. When I'm playing, these are the reasons I might hit that buy button:
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Instant Excitement: This is a big one. I don't always have hours to play, and sometimes I just want to jump straight to the high-stakes action. Buying the bonus delivers that immediately.
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Bypass the Grind: The base game can get boring, let's be honest. Some slots are just feature-poor in the main game, and all the big wins are locked behind the bonus. Bonus Buy lets you skip right past the tedious parts.
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Potentially Higher RTP: This is a bit nuanced, but many slots actually have a slightly higher Return to Player (RTP) percentage when you use the Bonus Buy feature compared to just spinning normally. The game providers often design it that way because they expect you to spend more upfront, so they give you a better theoretical return on that specific purchase. Always check the game's info to confirm this!
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Guaranteed Bonus Trigger: You're not hoping, you're *guaranteed* to trigger the bonus. That certainty can be really appealing, especially if you've been playing a game for a while and just can't seem to land those scatters naturally.
The Downsides: Why It's Not Always a Smart Move
Now, it's not all sunshine and massive wins. There are some serious downsides to consider, and these are the reasons I approach Bonus Buy with caution:
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High Cost, No Guaranteed Win: This is the biggest drawback. You pay 100x your bet, and you could still end up with a bonus round that pays out 20x your bet. That's a net loss of 80x your bet in one go! It’s not a magic button for wins; it’s a magic button for *access* to the bonus.
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Bankroll Drain: If you're not careful, buying bonuses can chew through your bankroll incredibly fast. A few dud bonuses in a row, and you might find yourself out of funds much quicker than if you'd just spun normally.
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Loss of Anticipation: Part of the fun of slots, for me anyway, is the build-up and the excitement of landing those bonus symbols organically. When you buy it, you lose that chase. It's like skipping to the end of a good movie.
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Not Always Higher RTP: As I mentioned, sometimes the RTP is higher, but not always. And even if it is, it's a theoretical number over millions of spins. Your single bought bonus isn't guaranteed to hit that average.
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Can Lead to Chasing Losses: If you buy a bonus and it flops, the temptation to buy another one, and another, to try and get your money back can be very strong. This is a dangerous path.
When to Consider Using Feature Buy (My Approach)
I don't just randomly hit the Bonus Buy button. I have a few situations where I think it makes sense, or at least, where I personally consider it worth the risk:
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High Volatility Slots: These are the games where the base game pays out very little, but the bonus rounds have huge potential. In these cases, buying the bonus can be the most effective way to hit those massive multipliers. It's a high-risk, high-reward strategy.
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Limited Time: If I only have 15 minutes to play, but I want to experience the main feature of a game, buying the bonus is the obvious choice.
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When I'm Feeling Lucky (and Have the Bankroll): Let's be real, sometimes you just feel like taking a big swing. But this is crucial: I only do it when I have a dedicated bankroll for it and am prepared to lose the entire cost of the buy.
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Trying Out a New Game: Before I commit to regular play, I might buy a bonus once or twice just to see how the feature plays out and if it's actually fun. This is especially true if I'm doing a slot review like the one I did for Zombolics, where I need to understand all aspects of the gameplay.
My Personal Takeaway and Tips
Here’s the deal: Bonus Buy slots are for players who understand the risks and are looking for instant gratification. They are not a cheat code for guaranteed wins. I treat a Bonus Buy just like a single, very large bet. If I'm paying 100x my normal bet, I consider that my risk for that one 'spin'.
My top tip is always to try the game in demo mode first if it offers it. See how the bonus round plays out, what the potential is, and how often it seems to flop for free. This gives you a much better feel for whether that high upfront cost is worth it for you.
Ultimately, whether you use the Bonus Buy feature or stick to regular spinning is a personal choice. Just make sure you understand what you're getting into, manage your bankroll wisely, and most importantly, have fun!
