Do Free Spins Ever Lead to Big Wins? Truth from a Seasoned Player

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By Devwiz

Nothing gets slot fans more excited than free spins. But do they ever really lead to big wins? I’m laying it all out in this read – what’s actually happened to me and what you can learn from it.

One place where bonus spins do have some bite is the online casino Boomerang. They hand out a chunky 100% welcome bonus up to €500 plus 200 free spins, and they’re not shy about weekly promos either – like cashback, reloads, and live dealer bonuses. I’ve seen some players land wins there that turned a few spins into a solid payout.

What Are Free Spins?

This kind of bonus gives you spins on a certain slot game, and you don’t pay for them. Two common forms are:

  • Casino bonuses – like “20 FS when you sign up”
  • In-game spins – when you land three scatters and trigger a bonus round

Both types feel the same when you spin, but the results? Very different. 

The Biggest Wins I’ve Had From Free Spins

The first one got me hooked. It was years ago on Book of Dead. I claimed 20 FS with no deposit. I wasn’t expecting much, but I hit a retrigger and then the explorer symbol stacked up. Final payout: €460. From a freebie.

Another time, I got 100 FS on Starburst from a welcome deal. No win was higher than €0.80. After all 100? My balance was around €3. Total joke.

These two cases are extreme ends, but most of my free spin results fall in the middle. You get some hits, mostly small. But once in a while, it goes off.

The key? The type of slot. Games with big multipliers or retriggers have more win potential. But that also means more dry rounds.

Casino Bonuses: What to Watch For

Some things to look at before claiming a casino reward:

  • Max win limits: A lot of no-deposit offers cap your win at €20–€50. Even if you land €200, they’ll only let you cash out a part of it.
  • Wagering requirements: You win €10, but you need to bet €300 before you can touch it. Tough odds.
  • Spin value: Most are for €0.10–€0.20 per spin. Don’t expect jackpot-level results.
  • Eligible games: I’ve seen promos on games like Finn and the Swirly Spin where wins are super low. Nice graphics, zero punch.

If the extra tries are on something like Sweet Bonanza or Wanted Dead or a Wild, at least you’ve got a shot at a big x100 or x500 win.

In-Game Bonus Spins: Way More Potential

The real juice comes from in-game extra rounds. These are triggered while playing (usually when you land a certain combo like 3 scatters).

Why are they better?

  • No max win limits
  • No wagering
  • Your payout is real money

I once hit the bonus round on Gates of Olympus. The 15 FS came with a 15x multiplier, and then I got a 100x bomb drop. Final payout? Over €1,100 on a €0.40 bet.

Another example – Sweet Bonanza. Got the 10 FS, then retriggered 3 times, got a 50x bomb and a bunch of apples. €670 from that round alone.

Tips That Actually Help 

Here’s what’s helped me get more out of bonus tries (especially the in-game ones):

1. Choose Slots That Can Pop

I avoid games with boring bonus rounds. If a slot doesn’t have retriggers, multipliers, or wilds that stick, I’m out.

Look for:

  • Stacked wilds (Dead or Alive II)
  • Multipliers that grow (Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush)
  • High volatility – not always fun, but they’re the ones that can hit big

I’ve also had some luck with free pokies lightning link – they’re fun to test in a demo and show how fast (or slow) a bonus can go from zero to insane.

2. Test in Demo First

I always run 50–100 spins in demo mode. Not to predict wins, but to understand how the free tries work:

  • Are they rare? 
  • Do they hit often? 
  • What kind of bonus setup do they use?

3. Don’t Rush to Use Free Casino Spins

Sometimes casinos give you 24 hours to use them. I always wait for a quiet moment. I focus, so if something’s happening in those spins (like a bonus round), I can catch it and make smart calls.

4. Track Wins on Spin Bonuses

If I get free spins across several casinos, I jot down the results. Not for tracking luck, but to remember which ones were worth it. Helps me avoid low-payout games in the future.

Do Free Spins Replace Real Play?

Not really. They’re fun extras. A bonus round on top of your usual play. But the real action is in regular spins, where your bet size and slot choice matter.

Still, I’ll never say no to them. 

Final Words: Teasers or Treasures?

So, do bonus spins ever lead to big wins? Yes, occasionally. And definitely not all the time.

Treat them as addons. If you use them to explore solid games (and you hit the right spin at the right time), they can go big.

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