After you have played online slot machines for any length of time, you will undoubtedly come across the term “free spins”. In theory, free spins should be a very simple concept to grasp, but believe it or not, there are two types of FS, and the difference between them can be confusing for newbies and amateurs at online casino sites.

Free spins

The first type of free spins are as you have probably guessed, free spins which are offered to players whilst they are the midst of playing an online slot machine. These free spins are usually won by landing scatter symbols or bonus icons (often 3 or more) on the reels of the game. After doing this, players will be able to spin the reels of the slot for free for a predetermined number of spins (at the same stake they wagered when they triggered the bonus), and potentially win real money through those spins and any additional bonus features which may be added during the feature.

Free spin bonuses

The other type of free spins you can bag when playing at online casinos are free spin bonuses. In essence, these are the same types of spins you can enjoy when playing an online slot. There is a twist, though. These are not won whilst playing games. Instead, they are offered as a reward or bonus to online casinos players via the domain. New players might, for instance, be able to claim 10 free spins upon registering at an online casino. Alternatively, players may pocket free spins as a loyalty bonus or a promotion at a casino. In the case of free spin bonuses, the rate at which the spins are played is fixed by the casino, and anything you win is yours to keep up to a certain amount. However, these free spin deals are usually only valid on a handful of slot machines, or just one slot in particular.