How They Operate
Slot machines that come with a gamble feature typically give players the opportunity to double their recently acquired winnings on the board or in a bonus round. This feature usually involves a 50/50 choice, where winnings are doubled upon a correct guess, but all winnings are lost if the prediction is incorrect. The traditional version of this feature makes use of playing cards and prompts players to predict whether the next card drawn will be red or black.
Some versions of the gamble feature allow players to continue gambling if they keep making correct predictions, leading to the potential for significant winnings through multiple doublings. However, with each subsequent guess, there is a risk of losing it all. Players are given the option to either collect their winnings or take a chance on doubling their money.
Online slot developers have incorporated various 50/50 options into their games. Certain developers, like Microgaming, even enable players to adjust the payout odds. More details on this will follow, but for now, here are some of the most popular types of gamble features used today.
Card-Based Games
Features involving cards are the most prevalent in online slots. Typically, players are tasked with predicting whether the next card will be red or black. Numerous video poker variants offer a hi-lo game where players must guess if the upcoming card will be higher or lower. I’m curious about the actual payout rates for these games, as it seems doubtful that a true RNG is at play. If you’ve tried Jacks Or Better and played the hi-lo game after a win, you probably know the disappointment of selecting higher and then drawing a deuce below the shown “3”.
The gamble feature typically activates after a win, and most options only offer a double or nothing wager. While there are a few games that allow players to bank a portion of their winnings before proceeding with the gamble, these are the exceptions.
Coin Flip
Another classic form of the gamble feature is the timeless coin toss, where players predict the outcome of a coin flip by choosing heads or tails to double their winnings. One of my preferred games, Betsoft’s At the Copa 3D slot, offers this feature following a win.
Dice Rolling
Similar to card-based games, dice roll features require players to make a 50/50 choice on whether the dice will land on an odd or even number. Correct guesses double winnings, while incorrect ones result in total loss. Occasionally, players may have the option to predict an exact number, increasing the payout odds but also introducing higher variability.
Bonus Rounds
Some developers have elevated the gamble feature by incorporating an element of interactivity. The latest Microgaming slot machines, for instance, introduce a variable gamble bonus, allowing players to influence their potential winnings through the gambling feature.
In several games, this unique feature is represented by a globe divided into red (losing) and green (winning) sections. Before placing a wager, players can adjust the size of each section, affecting the potential winnings. A compass needle then spins around the globe, determining whether the player wins or loses based on where it lands.
The lower-risk approach involves expanding the winning section and minimizing the losing section, resulting in a modest 1/20th payout of the wager. Conversely, increasing the losing section and reducing the winning section presents a higher-risk strategy with a 20x payout if successful.
Players are drawn to gamble features due to the excitement they bring to the gameplay. While offering the chance to double winnings, they also pose the risk of losing everything, creating a thrilling experience that many find hard to resist.
Explore a variety of free online slots to try out these features for yourself. Best of luck!