Buying a bonus against a regular game: comparing benefits and risks

Introduction

Modern slots increasingly offer players a choice: wait for the bonus to drop out in standard mode or pay for its instant activation through the Buy Bonus (Buy Feature) function. This choice is not always obvious. On the one hand - excitement and time saving, on the other - high cost and increased risks. Consider both approaches in as much detail as possible to determine what is more profitable for different types of players.

1. Regular game: features and expectations

In standard mode, the bonus is activated only when the desired characters appear (usually 3 + Scatter).

Pros of a regular game:

No additional costs: the rate is limited to the selected face value.
Dynamics with small and average winnings remain.
Less risk of instant bankroll loss.
Suitable for long gaming sessions.

Cons:

The bonus can take tens or even hundreds of spins.
A significant reserve of patience and bankroll is required.
The player does not control the moment the bonus is launched.

2. Buying a bonus: fast access and high volatility

The Buy Bonus feature allows you to instantly enter a free spin round or super game by paying a fixed amount - usually between 50x and 200x bets.

Pros of buying:

Instant access to the slot's most profitable content.
Time saving: no need to wait for Scatter.
The ability to experience the maximum potential of a slot in a short period.

Cons:

High cost: you can lose the entire bank for several purchases.
Very high volatility: often the bonus does not pay off the cost of activation.
Requires strict bankroll management.

3. RTP Comparison

The question of return to the player (RTP) is key in the analysis.

In most RTP slots, when playing a regular game and buying a bonus, it matches or differs slightly (± 0.5-1%).
However, the distribution of winnings is different:

In a normal game, RTP returns evenly through small and medium payouts.
In bonuses, RTP concentrates on rare but large winnings.

4. Volatility: What to expect for the player

Normal play → medium to moderately high volatility. Balance between small winnings and rare bonuses.
Buying a bonus → high or extreme volatility. The player either wins big or gets the minimum return (often 5-20% of the purchase price).

5. What is more profitable in the long run

For entertainment and long-term play: regular mode is more profitable. The player stays in the game longer, the balance is spent smoothly.
For hunting for a big win: buying a bonus is more attractive, as it immediately opens up access to maximum potential.
For strategic players: Buying a bonus allows you to test the mechanics and mathematical model of the slot faster than regular backs.

6. Examples in practice

Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play): It costs 100x to buy a bonus. The player can immediately enter freespins, where the multipliers reach 100x. But half of the bonuses pay for less than 50% of the cost.
Extra Chilli (Big Time Gaming): Bonuses can be bought and additionally "gamble" (risk game), which increases volatility to extreme.
San Quentin (NoLimit City): One of the most expensive bonuses (200x bet), but with luck, payments reach 150 000x.

7. Final comparison

Criteria	Regular Game	Bonus Purchase
Cost	Minimum, equal to bet	High (50x-200x of bet)
Access speed	Slow, depends on Scatter	Instant
Volatility	Medium/High	High/Extreme
Session Duration	Longer	Short, Dynamic
Winning potential	Limited to small payouts	Maximum hidden in bonuses
Risks	Moderate	Very High

Conclusion

It cannot be said unequivocally that buying a bonus or playing a regular game is more profitable for everyone. It all depends on the style of play:

For those who value a long process and cost control, a regular game is more suitable.
Those who are ready for risks for the sake of maximum payments should try Buy Bonus.

The main thing is to remember bankroll management and not perceive the purchase of a bonus as a guaranteed path to profit: this is just a tool to accelerate a game with high volatility.