What Are Slot Multipliers? A Complete Guide to How They Work
Slot multipliers are a common feature in modern online slots. Regardless of your experience in this type of casino game, if you have played any then it is likely that you will have encountered them in some form.
Multipliers are used in the base game, free spins, other bonus rounds and as part of the in-game mechanics to enhance potential wins and these appeal greatly to both slot players and streamers alike.
In our guide, we will explore what multipliers are and give you some clear examples of different types of multipliers you will encounter at a variety of casinos – we will also get to the bottom of how slot multipliers work on a practical level.
So let’s begin by answering the most obvious question.
What Are Slot Multipliers?
This is an extremely simple question to answer. At their most basic, slot multipliers are a feature of a slot that, when activated increases the value of a win by the numerical value stated.
The notation used to describe a multiplier is very simple. It is usually a number followed by an ‘x’, with the x being indicative of the multiplied stake size of your win on that spin.
For example, if you spin the reels on a slot game and land a win that is worth €10, but the win triggers a 2x multiplier too, then that multiplier is applied to your win. So 2 x €10 means your win would be €20 from that spin.
This is the most basic form of multiplier win. Nowadays, multipliers can be used in a myriad of ways, and even combined with each other, to increase the value of wins and we will explore these uses in more detail in the section below. Also keep in mind that many slots’ max. wins will be expressed as a multiplier — for example, 5,000x your stake.
How Do Multipliers Work?
Multipliers care used in various ways in modern slot games. Let’s look at some of the different ways they can be used within the mechanics of the slot game.
Base Games
Multipliers are often used in the base game of slots to increase the value of wins. A common way they are used is by linking a random multiplier to a specific symbol (such as a Scatter or a Wild symbol), or a spin may generate a random multiplier which is subsequently applied to any win on that spin.
Bonus Rounds
Slot multipliers are often used in bonus rounds in to increase the value of individual bonus round wins, or even the collected amount of money won across all spins in the bonus round.
Cascading/Tumbling Multipliers
One of the more popular modern examples of multipliers used in slot games is when a game utilises the Cascading or Tumbling Reels mechanic. In these games, reels are not used, but symbols drop down from above and when a win is triggered, the symbols forming the win disappear and new symbols drop down into the spaces created on the grid. This can then trigger subsequent wins from the same single spin.
This feature often has a multiplier attached when successive wins are triggered from a single spin, with the multiplier increasing for each successive win you land on that single spin. Pleasingly, this is common in slot releases from all major slot providers, including Pragmatic Play and Big Time Gaming.
Progressive Multipliers
Progressive multipliers can be used on standard slot games, either in the base game or bonus round, where if a player triggers a certain feature, or pattern of symbols on the reel, they will increase the value of a multiplier, which can then continue to increase if triggered once again with another winning spin or through the feature triggered.
Random or Mystery Multipliers
In some slot games, multipliers can be awarded entirely at random either in the base game or a bonus feature. Another option is the mystery multiplier, which doesn’t reveal its value until the spin is completed or the feature is finished.
Big Streamer Wins Utilising Slot Multipliers
Slot multipliers come into play most noticeably when the top casino streamers land headline multi-million dollar wins. For example, Trainwreckstv won a stunning $15m on Coins of Anubis recently and he utilized the bonus buy option to guarantee a random board of multipliers on every spin.
It is important to note that multipliers are not just available in slot games. We have seen Togi win a 1,000x multiplier on Plinko; in fact, Plinko’s whole game model revolves around the ball landing in a multiplier bucket.
Streamers have quickly caught on to the fact that slot games with multipliers are very appealing to viewers as they can result in some of the most eye-catching wins. This has resulted in multiple viral streams.
Examples of this include:
- Kick streamer everron wins big at Dog House slot
- Mellstroy lands monster multiplier win on Sweet Bonanza 1000
In many of these viral clips, the wins come about due to multiplier combinations hitting at the right time and often in combination which vastly increases the value of the win. The drama is only added to by the fact that these are random occurrences during gameplay.
Online Slots Offering the Best Multipliers
While multipliers are far more commonplace nowadays, there are still some slot games which attract a large number of players that love what this feature offers. Some well-known options include:
Sweet Bonanza
With multiplier bombs of up to 100x during free spins, this is clearly one of the online slots offering the best multipliers. The candy-themed release has seen a surge in popularity in the last few years and it is easy to see why.
Gates of Olympus
Random multipliers can land in this game offering up to 500x your win, one of the highest multipliers available in slots gaming today.
Sugar Rush
A grid-based slot, where multipliers build with each successive win on the grid following the triggering of a winning cluster.
The Dog House
People play the Dog House Slot and the other titles in its series due to its fantastic Sticky Wilds with Multipliers bonus feature in the free spins bonus round.
Big Bass Bonanza
All the titles in the Big Bass series of slots offer multipliers that accumulate during the free spins bonus round.
Bog Bass Bonanza slot paytable (Image credit: Pragmatic Play)
These five titles are a great starting point for anyone wanting to play slot games with exciting multipliers, and they are widely available at all major online casino sites.
The Best Approach To Slots With Multipliers
Games that feature multipliers can be tricky to get the best out of. As such, our advice for players when playing these particular type of slots is:
- Expect volatility – Most multiplier slot games, especially those with high value multipliers, tend to be higher volatility. That means playing more spins at a lower value per spin makes more sense to give you more chance to trigger the bonus.
- Have realistic expectations – Gameplay can be variable on these particular slots. You won’t win every time, so have realistic expectations and don’t chase your losses on the sessions where things don’t go as well.
- Understand the mechanics – In some games, multipliers will appear in the base game, in others they will appear in the bonus rounds, or when cascading wins are triggered or similar. Understanding when and how multipliers are triggered is always a good starting point on any slot.
Remember multipliers don’t automatically guarantee a win, but they can increase the value of a win markedly.
Big Wins and Slot Multipliers
In most video slots, multipliers are the way that you will land major wins. Whilst other key elements such as enhanced RTP and high volatility undoubtedly assist you in getting close to a jackpot, on a practical level, it will be a multiplier that physically lands the win.
Your stake, whether high or low, will ultimately be multiplied to give you the final payout. Of course, many modern slots, especially those from NoLimit City, can have xNudge mechanics, for example, that can rapidly increase the multiplier amount. You can see some of the biggest wins ever recorded by using our Big Wins Tracker.
Are Slot Multipliers Important?
It is a resounding “yes”. Slot multipliers are hugely important when it comes to getting a win of any size on a crypto casino game and pleasingly, they are available on pretty much every video slot. What differs is the size of these — they can go as high as 100,000x your stake — and which specific symbol combinations are required. Always check the pay table before you start playing to ensure you know exactly what is required.
Slot Multipliers Are Here To Stay
We have revealed here what slot multipliers are and it is clear that they have enhanced what slot games offer to customers a great deal since they were first introduced. Developers have come up with a large number of ways games are enhanced by multipliers and how they manifest themselves in the gameplay.
They add excitement, increase win potential and create the ‘viral’ moments that players, streamers and viewers love to experience.
When used in conjunction with other bonus features, such as in The Dog House slot, they can be hugely appealing to all players and as a result, multipliers in slots are very much here to stay.
Ian John has been reviewing and writing about online casinos, poker, sports betting and more for over 20 years – with the last 7 spent diving deep into esports betting. A specialist in covering newly released slot titles, Ian brings sharp, informed analysis to every review. His favourite casino games are blackjack and poker.
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