Respin Feature Explained: Your Ultimate Guide to Respins and The Top 5 Games
Have you ever felt one spin away from a jackpot? The respin feature is your chance to close the gap, giving you that extra shot at triggering bonuses, landing jackpots, or hitting massive wins without starting from scratch.
Often paired with multipliers, symbol locking, or cascading mechanics, respins can tilt the odds in your favour by boosting bonus-triggering chances by 30-40%, making it one of the most impactful features in online pokies.
This guide will explain what the respin feature is, how it works, and the top five games that showcase its full potential.
What is the Respin Feature?
The respin feature gives you another shot at improving your current spin, triggered right after a paid spin meets certain conditions. Unlike regular spins that reset the reels, respins build on your existing results, locking key symbols or triggering bonus mechanics to boost your chances of a bigger win.
Think of it as a second chance designed to give you more control or momentum—whether it’s nudging you closer to a bonus round, stacking multipliers, or completing a jackpot combination. Some games activate respins automatically, while others let you choose when to pay for an extra shot, adding a layer of strategy to your gameplay.
How Does the Respin Feature Work?
Respins kick in when you land specific symbols or combinations, such as Wilds or bonus icons. These triggers activate additional spins, with key symbols like Wilds or jackpot triggers staying locked in place.
Only non-contributing reels or grid sections respin, giving you a focused chance to improve your results. Many games amplify the feature with extras like growing multipliers or cascading wins. Respins typically end after a set number of spins or when no new triggers appear.
Here’s a breakdown of how it works and why it’s such a game-changer:
- Trigger: Respins kick in when you land specific symbols like Wilds, Scatters, or bonus icons, or after forming a winning combination. Think of it as the game recognising a moment of potential and giving you another shot to capitalise on it.
- Symbol Locking: Key symbols—like high-value icons or bonus triggers—stay locked on the reels during respins. This means you’re not starting over; you’re building on a foundation that’s already set you up for success.
- Focused Reels: Only the reels or grid sections that didn’t contribute to the trigger will spin again, ensuring the respin focuses entirely on creating new opportunities without disturbing locked symbols.
- Additional Features: Many games don’t stop at a simple respin. They add features like growing multipliers, jackpot progression, or cascading reels to make each respin feel increasingly valuable.
- End Condition: Most games limit respins to 3-5 spins unless new triggering symbols appear (common in Hold & Win games).
💡Always check the game’s paytable to identify the symbols that activate the respin feature. Missing this step can lead to confusion about why the feature isn’t appearing.
Top 5 Games With Respin Feature
1. Money Train 2 (Relax Gaming)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.40% |
| Potential Payout | Up to 50,000x your stake |
| Respin Trigger | Two or more bonus symbols |
| Odds/Frequency of Respins | Moderate frequency, high volatility |
- Trigger: Land two or more bonus symbols anywhere on the reels.
- Feature Mechanics: If only two bonus symbols appear, the game triggers a respin, where those symbols remain locked, and all other positions respin for a chance to land the third required symbol to activate the Money Cart Bonus Round. Once the main feature starts, you receive three respins, which reset with every new symbol that lands. Special symbols like Payers, Collectors, and Snipers enhance winnings, increasing overall payout potential.
- Visuals & Sound: Gritty, steampunk visuals with a trainyard backdrop add to the high-intensity gameplay. The mechanical sounds and tension-building soundtrack heighten anticipation as symbols lock in and multipliers accumulate.
- Why It’s #1: The respin mechanic acts as a second-chance trigger for the powerful Money Cart Bonus Round, where the true winning potential lies. With up to 50,000x payouts and persistent feature symbols, every respin holds the potential for massive rewards.
2. Jammin’ Jars (Push Gaming)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.83% |
| Potential Payout | Up to 20,000x your stake |
| Respin Trigger | Any winning cluster |
| Odds/Frequency of Respins | High frequency due to cascading wins |
- Trigger: Form clusters of 5 or more matching fruit symbols.
- Feature Mechanics: Winning clusters disappear, and new symbols cascade into place. If a Wild (Jam Jar) is part of a win, it remains on the grid and moves to an adjacent position before the next cascade. Each time a Jam Jar contributes to a win, its multiplier increases, leading to potential chain reactions of bigger payouts. Respins continue until no new winning clusters form.
- Visuals & Sound: Neon-drenched disco visuals with bouncing Jam Jar wilds create an energetic and vibrant experience. A funky soundtrack adds to the engaging, fast-paced action.
- Why It’s #2: The combination of sticky wilds and increasing multipliers makes every respin thrilling. A well-placed Jam Jar can create an unstoppable payout chain, leading to massive wins of up to 20,000x your bet.
3. Big Bamboo (Push Gaming)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.13% |
| Potential Payout | Up to 50,000x your stake |
| Respin Trigger | Mystery Bamboo symbols revealing instant prizes |
| Odds/Frequency of Respins | Unpredictable but rewarding with high volatility |
Trigger: Land Mystery Bamboo symbols that transform into coins, triggering a Hold & Win-style respin feature.
- Feature Mechanics: When the Mystery Bamboo symbols reveal golden coins, the respin feature begins. These coins lock in place, and remaining positions respin, attempting to land additional golden coin symbols. Each new coin resets the respin counter to three. Special symbols such as Collectors and Multipliers can significantly enhance wins, and filling the entire grid leads to massive payouts.
- Visuals & Sound: A serene bamboo forest contrasts with the high-intensity respin action. Coins gleam against the green backdrop, with dramatic music building as wins accumulate.
- Why It’s #3: The respin feature in Big Bamboo blends Hold & Win mechanics with mystery reveals, offering the potential for colossal payouts. Every spin holds the possibility of landing huge instant prizes, keeping you on the edge of their seats.
4. Fire Joker (Play’n GO)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.15% |
| Potential Payout | Up to 800x your stake |
| Respin Trigger | Stacked symbols on two reels with no win |
| Odds/Frequency of Respins | Frequent in base game |
- Trigger: If two reels land identical stacked symbols but no winning combination is formed, a Respin of Fire is triggered.
- Feature Mechanics: The triggering stacked reels remain in place while the third reel respins, providing a second chance at landing a full-screen match or wild symbols for big payouts. If the respin results in a win, the Wheel of Multipliers can activate, offering multipliers up to 10x.
- Visuals & Sound: Classic fruit machine symbols with a fiery, animated background create an old-school yet modernised slot experience. The tension builds with each respin, enhanced by a dramatic soundtrack.
- Why It’s #4: The Respin of Fire keeps gameplay exciting by providing second-chance wins, while the multiplier wheel can turn an average payout into a huge win. Frequent respins make it one of the most dynamic classic-style slots.
5. Book of Shadows (Nolimit City)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.01% – 96.19% (adjustable volatility) |
| Potential Payout | Up to 30,000x your stake |
| Respin Trigger | Any individual reel after a spin |
| Odds/Frequency of Respins | Player-controlled, available on every spin |
- Trigger: After any spin, you can manually respin one chosen reel for an additional cost, increasing their chances of landing a winning combination.
- Feature Mechanics: This unique respin-for-a-price feature allows you to selectively target reels where near-wins have landed. You can pay to respin a single reel, attempting to complete winning lines or trigger the free spins round. Unlike standard respins, this mechanic gives you strategic control over when and how to use it.
- Visuals & Sound: A dark, gothic theme with eerie animations and a haunting soundtrack sets a suspenseful atmosphere. Each respin intensifies the tension, making every choice feel impactful.
- Why It’s #5: The player-controlled respins add an extra layer of strategy, letting you take an active role in hunting down big wins. With up to 30,000x payout potential, every respin decision could lead to massive rewards.
Types of Respin Features in Pokies
Respins come in many forms, each with its own flair and purpose, giving you exciting chances to unlock better payouts or trigger bonus features. Here’s a closer look at the most common types and what they bring to the reels.
Sticky Symbol Respins
Hold & Win Respins
Multiplier Respins
Cascading Respins
Paid Respins
Reel-Specific Respins
Wild Respins
Limiting Conditions of Respin Feature
Respins often have a built-in endpoint to keep gameplay balanced:
- Maximum Spins: Most games limit respins to 3-5 spins unless new triggering symbols appear (common in Hold & Win games).
- No New Triggers: If no additional bonus or trigger symbols land during a respin, the feature ends.
- Bonus Progression: In cascading games, respins may stop once no more winning combinations are formed.
💡 Caveat: If your expecting unlimited respins might be disappointed. Watch for games that clearly communicate when the feature ends.
Why Respins Are a Game-Changer
Respins aren’t just another feature—they’re a key mechanic that can transform your gameplay by unlocking bonuses, amplifying payouts, and creating extended win streaks. Here’s how they give you the edge and why they’re worth seeking out:
They Boost Your Odds of Triggering Bonuses
Respins are all about second chances. By locking key symbols like bonus triggers or Wilds, they focus the reels on completing combinations or filling grids for jackpots. For example, in games with Hold & Win mechanics, every bonus symbol locked in place increases your progress toward a grand prize or free spins. Similarly, Sticky Wild Respins give you repeated opportunities to create premium paylines.
💡 Actionable Insight: Respins can increase your chances of unlocking bonuses by up to 40%. Play games like Sticky Bandits: Wild Return or Hold & Win Treasure if you’re chasing free spins, jackpots, or big payline wins.
They Amplify Payouts with Multipliers and Jackpots
Respins often pair with multipliers or jackpot mechanics to deliver exponential payouts. Each respin can add a multiplier or move you closer to a progressive prize. For example, Sugar Rush builds multipliers on grid positions where wins occur, turning cascading respins into massive chain reactions. In Jackpot King Deluxe, respins lock symbols while progressing toward life-changing jackpot rewards.
💡 Pro Tip: Look for games that combine respins with progressive mechanics, where each spin adds momentum. If you love jackpot pokies or compounding multipliers, these games are designed for you.
They Work Seamlessly with Other Features
Respins rarely stand alone—they’re designed to enhance other features like cascading mechanics, jackpots, and free spins. For instance, cascading respins extend gameplay by clearing winning symbols and dropping new ones, creating long win streaks. In some pokies, respins act as a bridge to unlock free spins, giving you an extra shot at entering the bonus round.
💡 Pro Tip: Play games like Temple Tumble Megaways for cascading respins that chain into multipliers and free spins. When respins interact with other features, they elevate every spin into something more dynamic and rewarding.
Pro Tips for Making the Most Out Of Respins
- Choose pokies where respins lead directly to jackpots or free spins, like Hold & Win Treasure, where every locked coin moves you closer to the grand prize.
- Respins paired with multipliers or jackpots, such as in Sugar Rush and Jackpot King Deluxe, can exponentially increase your payouts.
- Cascading respins in games like Temple Tumble Megaways replace winning symbols with new ones, creating streaks of consecutive wins.
- Understand the limits and triggers of respins, as most features end after 3-5 spins or specific conditions—check the paytable to stay informed.
- Test games like Money Train 2 in demo mode to practice respin mechanics and optimise your strategy before playing with real money.
Not All Games Treat Respins Equally
Different developers put unique spins on the respin mechanic:
- Pragmatic Play: Often pairs respins with growing multipliers (Sugar Rush).
- Quickspin: Focuses on locking Wilds during respins (Sticky Bandits: Wild Return).
- Blueprint Gaming: Uses respins to drive jackpot progression (Jackpot King Deluxe).
Conclusion
Respins are one of the most exciting and rewarding features in pokies, turning a single spin into multiple chances to win big. From locking symbols to stacking multipliers and chasing jackpots, they bring a layer of strategy and anticipation that keeps you coming back for more.
Understanding how respins work and how to maximise their potential is the key to making the most of this feature. With the right approach, every respin could be the start of something extraordinary. So, take a spin, and let the reels show you what’s possible!
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Ryan is our resident pokies expert. Not only does he provide readers with the latest insights, innovations and technology news related to pokies, but he also knows all there is to know about pokies game developers.
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