Slot Guides
Buy-Feature Slots: What Bonus Buys Really Cost
Some slots let you skip straight to the bonus round for a price. It sounds convenient, but it changes the risk of the game completely.
What is a buy feature?
A buy feature (also called a bonus buy) lets you pay a fixed amount, usually a multiple of your base bet, to trigger a slot's free spins or bonus round immediately. Instead of waiting for scatter symbols to land, you pay upfront for the feature.
What is an ante bet?
An ante bet or "double chance" option increases your cost per spin, often by 25% or more, in exchange for a higher chance of triggering the feature naturally. It is a milder version of the same idea.
What does it really cost?
| Setting | Cost | Equivalent normal spins |
|---|---|---|
| Base bet | RM1 per spin | 1 |
| Bonus buy at 100x | RM100 per purchase | 100 |
| Bonus buy at 100x, 3 times | RM300 | 300 |
The price multiple varies between games. One purchase can use up an entire session budget, and the bonus round can pay back much less than it cost. The feature is not a shortcut to winning; it is a very high-variance way of playing the same game.
Does buying change the RTP?
Game designers set the price so that the feature's long-term return is close to the game's normal RTP, sometimes slightly different. Check the game information screen, which may list a separate RTP for the buy option. Either way, the house edge still applies to every ringgit you spend.
When to avoid bonus buys
- Your session budget is smaller than a few purchases.
- You feel the urge to buy again immediately after a poor bonus round.
- You are playing with an active bonus.
- You are trying to recover earlier losses.
Where bonus buys are restricted by regulators in some countries, it is precisely because they speed up spending. Treat them with caution and see our responsible gambling tips.