Bonus Buy Feature: What You Need to Know
Bonus Buy is a slot mechanic that lets you pay to trigger a game’s bonus round — usually free spins or a special feature — without waiting for the base game to hit the required scatter combination. For players, that means you can skip long dry spells and go straight to rounds that offer higher payout potential or big multipliers. It’s popular in modern video slots, including Real Time Gaming titles like Sweet 16 Blast!, which lists a "Buy Feature" among its bonus options.
Use Bonus Buy when you want a faster route to the feature round, but remember it’s not a shortcut to guaranteed returns. Bonus Buy changes the distribution of outcomes, and the short-term variance can spike.
The upside and the trade-offs — clear benefits, real risks
There are clear benefits:
- Immediate access to feature rounds that usually deliver bigger win potential.
- Better control of session pacing; you don’t have to chase scatter combos.
- Useful for testing a feature’s volatility and payout structure without long sessions.
There are trade-offs to consider:
- Bonus Buys typically cost multiple times your base bet, and that cost can eat into bankroll quickly.
- Because you’re buying the feature, the effective RTP over short sessions may be lower than the theoretical RTP.
- Many casinos cap bets or restrict bonus play in their terms, which can limit how you use a Buy Feature.
Never treat Bonus Buys as a guaranteed path to profit. They can produce big wins, but they also concentrate variance.
How Bonus Buys affect RTP, volatility, and bankroll
Technically, a Bonus Buy converts the slot’s payback distribution: you’re replacing many low-return base spins with fewer, costly feature entries. That tends to:
- Increase short-term variance, so you’ll see wider win/loss swings.
- Change expected returns over short sessions — sometimes positively, sometimes negatively — depending on feature frequency and payouts.
For bankroll management, plan around the Buy cost. If a Buy is 100x your base spin, that’s very different than one priced at 20x. Set limits and stick to them. Remember that general casino rules — like maximum bet restrictions during bonus play — still apply, and those limits can affect outcomes.
Must-read rules before hitting “Buy”
Always check the game and casino rules. Key items to confirm:
- Exact Buy cost relative to your current bet.
- Any maximum bet rules tied to bonuses — many sites cap bonus-eligible bets at $10 per spin.
- How wins from Bonus Buys contribute to wagering requirements, if you activated a bonus.
- Whether a Buy triggers features that use different RTP parameters than base play.
Casinos often apply a default “sticky” bonus rule: bonus funds must be fully wagered and are forfeited on withdrawal, with only winnings transferring to cash. If you’re using a deposit bonus while buying features, make sure the math still makes sense.
Smart ways to use Bonus Buys without burning your bankroll
Be tactical:
- Use small, controlled Buy trials to gauge feature behaviour, then decide if you want to scale.
- Try Buy Features on low-stakes coin sizes first to learn volatility.
- Compare feature cost vs. potential multiplier ceilings rather than chasing every Buy.
- Track session results to see if the Buy improves your long-term enjoyment and expected value.
If you’re testing a new Real Time Gaming title like Sweet 16 Blast!, consider taking advantage of no-deposit free spin offers where available to sample the feature before spending real money. Always read the promotion’s terms, since free spins and no-deposit offers often have contribution rules and max cashout caps.
Where to try Bonus Buys safely — what Pacific Spins Casino offers
Pacific Spins Casino runs a suite of Real Time Gaming slots that include Buy Features, and the site supports both fiat and crypto options — Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Visa, and MasterCard, plus Interac for Canadian-friendly play. If you want to check the site’s overall offering, see our Pacific Spins Casino review for welcome bonuses, payment options, and support details like support@pacificspins.com.
If you want to learn how one game handles purchase mechanics, our Sweet 16 Blast! slots review covers the Buy Feature and related bonus rounds.
A few platform notes to keep in mind: crypto withdrawals are often prioritized for speed, and promos run with varying max cashouts and wagering contributions. Typical contribution rates to wagering are 100% for slots, 10% for video poker, and 5% for blackjack, while live games usually contribute 0%. Check promo pages and the cashier for activation methods — many bonuses require a code at deposit or in the cashier.
Terms, timing, and safety reminders
Always review the fine print:
- Bonuses often expire after 30 days.
- Maximum cashouts on no-deposit offers commonly fall in the $50–$100 range.
- Default bonus states can be “sticky,” meaning bonus funds are forfeited on withdrawal until wagering is met.
- Casinos reserve the right to void wins for abuse or multiple accounts.
If you’re unsure about how a Buy Feature interacts with a specific promotion, contact the casino support team — Pacific Spins lists email support at support@pacificspins.com — and save screenshots of the promo terms.
Bonus Buys can be a powerful tool for players who want direct access to feature rounds, but they demand discipline and an understanding of cost, volatility, and terms. Use small tests, read the rules, and treat buys as an optional strategy rather than a guaranteed winner.

