Bonanza is a 6-reel mining-themed slot machine developed by Big Time Gaming, featuring the revolutionary Megaways mechanic that delivers up to 117,649 ways to win on every spin. This high volatility game combines cascading reactions, unlimited win multipliers, and free spins to create one of the most iconic slot experiences in online casino history.
Bonanza slot stands as one of the most influential games in modern online casino history. Developed by Big Time Gaming, this mining-themed slot introduced countless players to the Megaways mechanic and established a blueprint that hundreds of subsequent games would follow. With its combination of up to 117,649 ways to win, cascading reactions, and unlimited multipliers during free spins, Bonanza delivers the high volatility excitement that serious slot players seek.
The game's enduring popularity stems from its perfect balance of accessible gameplay and complex feature interactions. While the basic mechanics are straightforward enough for newcomers, the depth of the cascading system and multiplier potential provides the kind of engaging experience that keeps players returning. This comprehensive review examines every aspect of Bonanza, from its core mechanics to advanced strategy considerations.
Bonanza operates on a 6-reel grid where each reel can display between 2 and 7 symbols on any given spin. An additional horizontal reel runs above reels 2 through 5, adding four more symbol positions to the mix. This variable reel structure creates the Megaways system, where the exact number of ways to win changes with every spin, ranging from a minimum of 64 up to the maximum 117,649 combinations.
The game carries a Return to Player percentage of 95.98%, which sits slightly below the industry average but remains acceptable given the high volatility profile. Bet sizes typically range from 0.20 to 2.00 or 5.00 per spin depending on the casino platform, making it accessible to various bankroll sizes. The maximum win potential reaches 26,000 times your stake, achievable through the combination of cascading wins and unlimited multipliers during the free spins feature.
Bonanza falls firmly into the high volatility category. This means players should expect significant fluctuations in their bankroll, with extended periods of minimal returns punctuated by occasional substantial wins. The base game can feel relatively quiet, with many spins producing small wins or no wins at all. The real win potential concentrates in the free spins feature, where the unlimited multiplier can transform modest symbol combinations into significant payouts.
High volatility slots require appropriate bankroll management. Players should ensure they have sufficient funds to weather the inevitable dry spells while waiting for bonus features to trigger. A common recommendation suggests having at least 100 times your chosen bet size available, though conservative players may prefer even larger cushions.
The paytable in Bonanza divides into two distinct categories: low-paying card symbols and high-paying gemstones. The card symbols, representing 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, form the lower tier. Based on a standard 1.00 bet, six matching 9 or 10 symbols pay 0.80 to 0.90, while six Jacks or Queens return 1.00. The King and Ace symbols offer slightly better value at 1.75 for six matches.
The premium symbols consist of four colored gemstones. The green and blue gems each pay 2.00 for six matches, while the red gem increases to 7.50. The purple gem serves as the top-paying symbol, delivering 50.00 for six matching symbols on a 1.00 bet. While these values might seem modest compared to some modern slots, the cascading reaction system and multipliers significantly amplify the actual win potential.
Most symbols require at least three matches on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel to create a winning combination. The purple gem, as the highest value symbol, breaks this rule by paying out with just two matching symbols. This lower threshold increases the frequency of wins involving the premium symbol and contributes to the game's overall hit rate.
Understanding how Bonanza actually plays requires examining several interconnected systems that work together to create the overall experience. The Megaways mechanic forms the foundation, but the cascading reactions and wild symbols add crucial layers of complexity and win potential.
On each spin, the game randomly determines how many symbols will appear on each of the six main reels, choosing a number between 2 and 7. The horizontal reel above the main grid always displays four symbols. The total number of ways to win equals the product of all symbol positions. For example, if the reels show 7-7-7-7-7-7 symbols with the 4-symbol horizontal reel, you get the maximum 117,649 ways to win.
Wins form when matching symbols appear on adjacent reels from left to right. Crucially, the symbols do not need to connect vertically or diagonally. A matching symbol anywhere on reel one, combined with the same symbol anywhere on reel two, anywhere on reel three, and so forth, creates a valid winning combination. This system dramatically increases hit frequency compared to traditional payline structures.
Every winning combination triggers the reaction feature. Winning symbols explode and disappear from the reels, allowing symbols above them to drop down into the empty spaces. New symbols fall from the top to fill any remaining gaps. If these newly positioned symbols create additional winning combinations, they also explode and the process repeats.
This cascading system can produce multiple consecutive wins from a single paid spin. Each cascade counts as a separate win, with payouts calculated independently. In the base game, cascades continue until no new winning combinations form. During free spins, each cascade also increases the win multiplier, creating exponential growth potential.
Big Time Gaming pioneered the Megaways mechanic that transformed slot gaming forever. Unlike traditional fixed payline slots, Megaways games feature reels with randomly changing symbol positions on each spin, creating thousands of potential winning combinations. Bonanza showcases this innovation perfectly with its 6-reel structure where each reel displays between 2 and 7 symbols, plus an additional horizontal reel above the main grid.
The game's selection process focuses on adjacent reel matching rather than traditional paylines. Winning combinations form when matching symbols appear on consecutive reels from left to right, regardless of their vertical position. This creates a more dynamic and unpredictable gaming experience that has influenced hundreds of subsequent slot releases across the industry.
The wild symbol in Bonanza appears as a stick of dynamite with the word WILD clearly displayed. Wilds substitute for all symbols except the scatter, helping to complete winning combinations. However, wilds only appear on the horizontal reel above the main grid, never on the six primary reels themselves. This limitation means wilds are relatively rare but can be extremely valuable when they do appear.
When a wild lands on the horizontal reel and participates in a winning combination, it explodes along with the other winning symbols during the cascade. The horizontal reel then rotates new symbols into position, potentially including another wild. Multiple wilds can appear simultaneously on the horizontal reel, significantly boosting win potential for that spin.
The free spins feature represents the primary bonus round and the main source of significant wins in Bonanza. Triggering the feature requires collecting four scatter symbols spelling out the word GOLD. Each letter appears as an individual scatter symbol, and all four must land during the same spin or cascade sequence to activate the bonus.
Landing exactly four scatters awards 12 free spins. Each additional scatter beyond the initial four adds 5 extra spins to the total. It is possible, though rare, to trigger the feature with 5, 6, or even 7 scatters, starting with 17, 22, or 27 free spins respectively. The scatters can appear on any reel position, including the horizontal reel, and can land during cascades as well as the initial spin.
The defining characteristic of Bonanza free spins is the unlimited increasing multiplier. The multiplier starts at 1x for the first win during the feature. Each subsequent cascade increases the multiplier by 1x, and this multiplier applies to all wins. Critically, the multiplier never resets during the free spins round. It continues climbing with each cascade throughout all remaining spins.
This creates scenarios where later free spins can produce enormous wins even from relatively modest symbol combinations. A simple three-symbol match late in the feature with a 15x or 20x multiplier active delivers far more value than a six-symbol premium combination early in the round. The multiplier can theoretically climb indefinitely, with some recorded sessions reaching multipliers above 50x.
Additional free spins can be won during the bonus round itself. Landing three or four scatter symbols during free spins awards 5 or 10 additional spins respectively. These retriggers can occur multiple times, and the multiplier continues its upward progression throughout all added spins. Successful retriggers, especially when combined with an already elevated multiplier, create the conditions for the game's maximum win potential.
Bonanza's high volatility demands careful approach to bet sizing and session management. The extended periods between bonus triggers mean players must prepare for significant bankroll fluctuations. A conservative strategy involves selecting bet sizes that represent no more than 0.5% to 1% of your total available bankroll, ensuring you can sustain 100 to 200 spins without depleting your funds.
The base game, while capable of producing decent wins through extended cascade sequences, primarily serves as the pathway to free spins. Players should set realistic expectations for base game performance and understand that the majority of significant returns will come from bonus rounds. Tracking your session can help identify whether you are experiencing normal variance or an unusually cold streak.
Some players employ variable bet sizing strategies, reducing their stake during base game play and increasing it when they sense a bonus trigger is imminent. However, this approach lacks mathematical foundation, as each spin remains independent with identical odds regardless of previous results. Consistent bet sizing aligned with your bankroll provides the most sustainable approach for extended play sessions.
Big Time Gaming optimized Bonanza for mobile devices, ensuring the game performs smoothly on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. The interface adapts intelligently to smaller screens, repositioning control buttons and information displays for easy thumb access. The core gameplay, including all features and mechanics, remains identical across desktop and mobile platforms.
The game's relatively straightforward visual design, while not cutting-edge by modern standards, ensures fast loading times and stable performance even on older mobile devices or slower internet connections. The small animations, such as the spinning water wheel and exploding symbols, add character without creating performance bottlenecks.
Since Bonanza's release, dozens of Megaways slots have entered the market, many attempting to improve upon or differentiate from the original formula. Games like Extra Chilli, also by Big Time Gaming, add feature buy options and different bonus mechanics. Other developers have licensed the Megaways engine to create their own variations with unique themes and feature sets.
Bonanza maintains its position through simplicity and proven performance. While newer games may offer additional features or higher maximum multipliers, they often introduce complexity that can dilute the core experience. Bonanza's straightforward approach, focusing on the fundamental Megaways mechanics and unlimited multiplier free spins, creates an accessible yet deep gameplay loop that continues to satisfy players years after release.
Bonanza slot deserves its reputation as a landmark game in online casino history. The combination of Megaways mechanics, cascading reactions, and unlimited multiplier free spins creates a compelling high-volatility experience that rewards patience and proper bankroll management. While the base game can feel slow during dry spells, the explosive potential of the free spins feature provides the kind of excitement that defines premium slot gaming.
The game suits players who understand and accept high volatility characteristics, possess adequate bankrolls to weather variance, and seek the thrill of potentially massive wins rather than frequent small returns. New players should start with minimum bets to familiarize themselves with the mechanics before committing larger stakes. Experienced high-volatility slot players will find Bonanza offers exactly the kind of gameplay they seek, with proven mathematics and fair RTP supporting the entertainment value.
Bonanza has a Return to Player percentage of 95.98%, which is slightly below the industry average of 96% but acceptable for a high volatility game. This RTP represents the theoretical long-term return across millions of spins.
Free spins activate when you land four scatter symbols spelling GOLD during a single spin or cascade sequence. This awards 12 free spins, with each additional scatter adding 5 more spins to the total.
The maximum win potential in Bonanza is 26,000 times your stake. This is achieved through the combination of high-value symbol wins, extended cascade sequences, and the unlimited increasing multiplier during free spins.
Yes, Bonanza is fully optimized for mobile play on both iOS and Android devices. The game maintains all features and mechanics on mobile platforms with an interface adapted for touchscreen controls.
High volatility means Bonanza produces wins less frequently but with potentially larger values when they occur. Players should expect extended periods with minimal returns followed by occasional significant wins, requiring appropriate bankroll management.
No, wild symbols only appear on the horizontal reel above the main grid, never on the six primary reels. This makes wilds relatively rare but valuable when they do land and participate in winning combinations.
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