Updated by John Bonello
Content Editor
Fact Checked by Lee James Gwilliam
Senior Vice-President
Just to be clear, this is not a philosophical deep dive into ‘what it means to gamble when gambling.' This is your guide, from me, telling you that the Gamble feature in online slots is separate from the overall ‘gamble’ within gambling!
With what is the most pointless intro over with, let me move on to the next round of words. In this feature guide to the Gamble feature, I will highlight what it is, which I may or may not have already established. I’ll discuss how it works, which slots have this feature, the pros and cons, and whether you should use it.
Finally, the answer to the greatest question that has plagued philosophers and scientists for the past 30 minutes:
What is the gamble feature in slots? The Gamble feature is an optional bonus game all about risk. The Gamble feature will present itself after you win from a spin. You can then risk your win for a chance to snatch a greater prize. The standard Gamble feature is a 50/50 game of chance, but as this feature has evolved, tweaks have been made to make the risk of playing the bonus game more irresistible. Win the risk and receive the greater prize. Lose, and your recent winnings are gone.
Now that you have some understanding of what the Gamble feature is, let us look at the next question: "How does the Gamble feature work?" To answer this, we turn to David Slottenborough, an expert in Animal Slots and their habitat in Online Casinos.
The Gamble Feature
Presented by:
David Slottenborough
“Here in the immense digital web, dawn is breaking. The Slot Player awakens and immediately sets out to find a juicy video slot that may nourish them for the days or weeks ahead. But not all online slots come with this Gamble feature. The Slot Player must forage amongst gaming menus to find one suitable.
After fifteen minutes, success, as a retro-style slot, was found in the bush. The Slot Player spins the reels, and upon their first play, they land a win of $1.10. Suddenly, the Gamble feature is activated. Here, in this slowed-down footage, we see the Gamble feature in action.
As soon as the win is confirmed, the Gamble feature presents itself. This can take the form of a flashing Gamble button or a full-screen display to attract the Slot Player’s attention. In the more mature slots, the Gamble feature would appear as a card game. The Slot Player, keen to win as much money as possible, agrees to the advances of the Gamble feature.
The dance between the Slot Player and the Gamble feature is one of risk. The mini bonus game is a contest of courage and blind luck. The Slot Player’s selection has a mere 50/50 chance of success. With their winnings on the line, a loss is costly, as the Slot Player may have to miss a Big Mac meal for another day.”
Well, thanks to David Slottenborough for stopping by and illuminating us with information on how the Gamble feature works.
“But they lock me in a cupboard.”
Thanks, David.
When the feature first appeared, for the first decade and a half, you had the classic Card Gamble feature. Now, there are several different types. Let’s take a look at each of them.
You are faced with the choice of Red or Black for the next card in the deck. This is your 50/50 chance. Alternatively, you can choose the next suit of the card in the deck: diamonds, spades, hearts, or clubs. This comes with a greater prize, because of the higher risk. Even simple Hi-Lo Gambles play on the concept of having to guess if the next card on the deck is higher or lower. Examples of these Card Gambles can be seen in older slots like 300 Shields.
Another old Gamble feature is the coin flip. You get your winnings by picking either heads or tails and hope the 50/50 chance goes your way to double your money.
When the Gamble feature is unlocked, you will face a Wheel of Fortune with a percentage of the wheel showing green and red. The green is a win, and red is a loss. Land the pointer in the green section, and you will win. Games with this feature include Gold Cash Free Spins and Catch of the Day.
Unlocking bonus rounds can lead to this feature. Gamble wheels will choose your bonus modifiers. You can choose to Gamble the selected outcome or collect what you landed. There are variations of this found in games like Kraken’s Cove and Scepter of Anubis.
So, the BIG question regarding the Gamble feature is this: “Is the gamble feature worth it?” Well, it’s all about personal choice. The Gamble feature certainly ups the risk factor of playing casino games online, but if you’d rather play things safe, then at least you have the choice to chicken out.
Luck, risk, and reward all go hand in hand, and ultimately, the decision should be down to whether you can afford to lose more than what you are likely to win.
I have risked smaller sums but have remained cautious when larger sums are on the line. Even with Bonus Gamble options, I tend not to risk changing what has been earned. I believe if I am due to land a big win, then it will be presented to me, just not as a Gamble feature.
If you wish to try playing real money video slots online, here is a list of the best casinos that have been tried and tested. Check their reviews and register with any of them now to claim your welcome bonus offer with your first deposit.
With a passion for words, John is always thinking about what to write next. He has over 12 years of experience working with online content and as an Editor at Casinos.com, John makes sure that readers get the latest and most accurate information about the online gambling industry.
Read Full BioNeed expert help? Ask a question and one of our in-house experts will get back to you...