Bonus touchdown rate: What counts as "frequent" and "rare"
Introduction
Bonus rounds are the main source of big wins in most online slots. For Australian players, the frequency of their drops directly affects the style of play, betting strategy and length of the session. But what does "often" or "rarely" really mean? To answer, you need to understand how the developers put this parameter in the slot mathematics.
What is Bonus Frequency
Bonus Hit Frequency is the average number of spins needed to activate a bonus feature, be it freespins, bonus game, or special mechanics (such as Money Responses).
Example:
- If the average frequency = 1/150, this means that the bonus is activated about once every 150 spins.
Numbers that are considered "frequent" and "rare" bonuses
Very often - 1 bonus for 50-80 spins. Usually in low-voltage slots, where the prizes in the bonus are not very large, but stable.
Often - 1 bonus for 90-150 spins. Mid-range games with a balance between frequency and winnings.
Rarely - 1 bonus for 180-300 + spins. Highly volatile slots with the potential for large payouts.
Why the frequency of bonuses does not always coincide with expectations
1. RNG randomness - the random number generator makes each spin independent, so the bonus can fall twice in a row or not fall a thousand spins.
2. Separation of payments - in some slots part of RTP goes into bonuses, in others - into the basic game.
3. Accumulation mechanics - collecting symbols or filling the scale can change the average number of spins before the bonus.
How bonus frequency relates to volatility
Low volatility - bonuses more often, but with less potential (example: * Starburst XXXtreme Bonus Spins *).
Average volatility is the balance between the frequency and size of the win (example: * Wolf Gold *).
High volatility - bonuses are rare, but capable of giving x5000 + from the bet (example: * Dead or Alive II *, * Money Train 3 *).
How to find out the frequency of bonuses for a specific slot
1. Official documentation - some providers publish Hit Frequency in specifications.
2. Reviews and tests - independent sources take measurements, recording statistics on 1000 + spins.
3. Personal experience in the demo - test 200-300 spins to understand the average pace of bonuses.
Putting bonus frequency knowledge into practice
1. With a small budget - choose slots with frequent bonuses to extend the game.
2. When hunting for big winnings - focus on highly volatile machines with rare but powerful bonuses.
3. For tournament play - slots with frequent bonuses allow you to score points more consistently.
Common myths
Myth: If the bonus hasn't dropped for a long time, it's about to activate.
Truth: Each spin is independent and not having a bonus doesn't increase the chance in the next spin.
Myth: Frequent bonuses are always more profitable.
Truth: With frequent bonuses, the average payout is less than in slots with rare bonuses.
Conclusion
The frequency of the bonus is an important parameter that helps Australian players choose a slot for their style of play and budget. "Often" and "rarely" are not subjective sensations, but specific statistical values embedded in the mathematics of the slot. However, due to the randomness of the RNG, this parameter always works only over a long distance, and in a short session the result can be very different.
