Of course! “Bonus Wheel Slots” isn’t a single, specific game, but a very popular **feature** found in many modern online and video slot machines. It’s a bonus round triggered by landing specific symbols, where the player spins a wheel to win prizes.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about Bonus Wheel slots:
### The Core Concept
Instead of a traditional free spins round or pick-me game, the bonus round features a large, colorful wheel (often modeled after shows like *Wheel of Fortune*). The player spins the wheel, and the segment where the pointer lands determines their prize.
### How It Typically Works
1. **Trigger:** Usually by landing 3 or more “Bonus” or “Wheel” scatter symbols anywhere on the reels.
2. **The Wheel:** Appears on screen, divided into segments.
3. **The Spin:** You click to spin the wheel. It slows down and lands on a segment.
4. **The Prize:** You win whatever is labeled on that segment.
### Common Prizes on the Wheel
* **Instant Cash Prizes:** Multipliers of your bet (e.g., 10x, 25x, 100x).
* **Free Spins:** A set number of free spins, often with a multiplier.
* **Progressive Jackpots:** Many wheels have one or more segments for mini, minor, major, or even grand progressive jackpots.
* **”Pick” Bonuses:** The wheel awards you a number of picks from a secondary screen of hidden prizes.
* **Multipliers:** A multiplier applied to your total bonus win or future spins.
* **”Spin Again” or “Double”:** Special segments that give you another spin or double your next win.
### Why They Are So Popular
* **Simple & Exciting:** The thrill of the physical spin is easy to understand and visually engaging.
* **Big Win Potential:** Segments like progressive jackpots or massive multipliers can lead to huge payouts from a single spin.
* **Transparency:** You can see all possible prizes on the wheel, creating anticipation.
* **Variety:** The wheel adds a different type of gameplay to the standard slot reels.
### Popular Slot Games Featuring Bonus Wheels
Many top developers have iconic wheel bonus games:
* **IGT / Everi:** The original masters, with games like **Wheel of Fortune** (the most famous), **Fortune Coin**, and **Gorilla Gold**.
* **Aristocrat:** **Buffalo Gold** (the “Gold Bonus” wheel) and **Dragon Link** (with a wheel in many of its bonus features).
* **Light & Wonder (Scientific Games):** **Monopoly Big Event**, **Diamond Empire**.
* **NetEnt:** **Divine Fortune MegaWays** (has a wheel for the progressive jackpot), **Street Fighter II: The World Warrior** (wheel bonus).
* **Pragmatic Play:** **Sweet Bonanza** (the “Free Spins” wheel feature), **Gates of Olympus** (similar bonus buy wheel).
* **Big Time Gaming:** **Bonanza** (has a wheel in its free spins feature).
### Key Terminology
* **Bonus Wheel / Prize Wheel:** The main feature.
* **Jackpot Wheel:** A wheel specifically for awarding progressive jackpots.
* **Spin the Wheel Bonus:** Another common name for the feature.
* **Mega / Major / Minor Wheels:** Sometimes there are tiers of wheels with different prize values.
### Tips for Playing Bonus Wheel Slots
1. **Check the Paytable:** Always review the game rules to see what each segment on the wheel pays and how the bonus is triggered.
2. **Understand the Bet Connection:** Often, the prizes on the wheel are multipliers of your **total bet**, so your bet size directly impacts the cash value you win.
3. **Look for Progressives:** If you’re chasing big jackpots, find out which games have progressive jackpots on their wheel.
4. **It’s Still an RNG:** Remember, the wheel spin is animated for excitement. The outcome is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG) the moment you click.
In short, **Bonus Wheel Slots** are a staple of casino floors and online casinos because they package the classic thrill of a wheel spin with the modern features of video slots, offering players a clear shot at large, instant prizes.
