In a previous post, we discussed the various games that have a bonus choice between number of games and multiplier/reel size and whether your choice matters. Today’s question is in a similar space, but relates to games where you can pick between two completely different bonuses:
When playing the bonus on various games. If you’re offered a choice between free games or hold/lock and spin games, is the payout/win the same?
Jesse S.
Similar to the bonuses on other standard Vegas-style slot machines, your bonus outcome is not decided at the time you pick the bonus. Over the long term the bonuses will pay roughly the same, but not necessarily an individual bonus.
Some bonuses can be more volatile than others, and so the choice can be what sort of risk appetite you have for the bonus. This is certainly the case for games like Piggy Bankin’ and the various Lock It Link Riches games, where free spins are one direction you can go and the Lock It Link bonus is the other.
Talking it over in the office we did have one example where the pick does not matter, although they make it clear during the pick: The two versions of Lightning Link where you pick between two things on the screen, and it can award you free games with wilds or the hold & spin bonus. But those games, Sahara Gold and Happy Lantern, never show you what was under the other side.
When the game doesn’t show you what the other item(s) had, that’s a definite confirmation of what’s known as a predetermined pick – you were going to get that bonus regardless of what you chose. The outcome of the bonus, in that scenario, may not be known yet, but the pick is already resolved.
So your choice matters in that you get to decide what sort of bonus you want. But it won’t necessarily be the same outcome regardless of pick – each bonus works on its own to reach its intended payout over time.
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