Starburst Slot Review: Complete Overview of the All-Time Player Favourite
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Starburst Free Play Try the Slot Demo
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Rules and Features How to Play Starburst?
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Paytable & Max Win Calculator
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Play for Real Money Top Starburst Slot Casino
Starburst is one of the most popular slots not only with players in the UK, but world-wide. And the good news is that its huge popularity means that many casinos feature bonuses, promos and free spins for the game. On this page, we’ll delve into the full details of the slot. Find out about the rules, features, RTP, payouts, top Starburst slot sites and much, much more!
Try the Starburst Free Play Demo for Yourself
The best way to see what the game has to offer is to start playing it. But before you spend any of your own money, it is a great idea to play for free. In this way, you can get to grips with the rules, settings and options, check out the paytable and get a feel for the gameplay with absolutely no risk involved. Launch the Starburst demo below and you will instantly be immersed into the space-like atmosphere of the game. Set the reels spinning and you’ll experience the thrill and win anticipation that builds with every spin. You can adjust the coin value and bet level to find the betting range that best suits your budget and personal style of play. It really is the best way to prepare yourself for playing optimally with real money.
Where to Play Starburst for Real Money
Whilst there is no doubt that playing Starburst for fun is a good way to get a feel of the game, you will only experience the full thrill and excitement when you play for real money. Those flashing lights and triumphant blasts of music with every win are all the more intense when you are winning actual prizes. Yet when it comes to choosing where to play, the choice can be a little overwhelming.
Given its huge popularity, any casino worth its salt will feature the game. So, finding the best casino means taking various factors into consideration. Above all else, you need to play at a safe casino. After all, if you play at a dodgy casino site, there is little hope that you will get your hands on your winnings. Starburst is a legit game and playing it at a licenced casino means that you will be safe and protected. We have verified that our top 5 casinos to play Starburst hold a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission and are reputable, trusted operators.
NetBet | 500 Free Spins Welcome Bonus | Playtrough 30x | Accepts PayPal Yes | Play | Full T&Cs apply.. New players, £10+ deposit required. No e-wallets/prepaid cards. 30x Playthrough on Bonus and 50x on Free Spins winnings. |
Grosvenor | Deposit £20, Play with £50 | 5x Playtrough | Accepts PayPal | Play | Full T&Cs apply. NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. MIN DEPOSIT £20 (EXC PAYPAL). MAX BONUS £30, BONUS AMOUNT NON-WITHDRAWABLE, PLAYABLE ON SELECTED GAMES ONLY. 30X WAGERING FOR £30 BONUS. EXPIRES WITHIN 30 DAYS. MAX WIN £2,000.*T&CS APPLY |
BetVictor | £30 + 100 Free Spins | 40x Playtrough | Doesn’t Accept PayPal | Play | Full T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. Opt in and wager £10 on selected games within 7 days of registration. Get 3 x £10 bonuses for selected games with up to 40x wagering plus 100 Free Spins on Fishin' Frenzy. Bonuses expire in 30 days. Max redeemable from bonuses is £750. Card payments only. T&C's Apply, see below. gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly. |
Grand Ivy | £300 + 25 Bonus Spins | 35x Playtrough | Doesn’t Accept PayPal | Play | Full T&Cs apply.. 18+. New players only. One bonus offer per player. Minimum deposit £20. Max bonus bet is £5. Bonus spins on selected games only and must be used within 72 hours. Bonus funds must be used within 30 days otherwise any unused bonus shall be removed. Bonus funds are 100% match up to £300 on your 1st deposit. Bonus funds are separate to Cash funds, and are subject to 35x wagering the total bonus & cash. Only bonus funds contribute towards any wagering requirements. Terms apply. GambleAware.org. |
Casumo | £100 + 50 SpinsWelcome Bonus | 30x Playtrough | Doesn’t Accept PayPal | Play | Full T&Cs apply.. New customers. Opt-in required. 20 Bonus Spins on "Sahara Riches Cash Collect" at 10p per spin and 100% Deposit Bonus up to £25 on first deposit (payment method and play restrictions apply). Min. deposit £10. 30x wagering for Bonus Spins and Deposit Bonus (game weighting applies). Max. £5/spin or £0.50/line. 30 days expiry. Please gamble responsibly ??GambleAware.org?? T&Cs apply |
The welcome bonus is another important consideration in deciding the best Starburst casino to play at. As well as offering a generous match deposit bonus, many operators also feature Starburst free spins as part of their new player bonus package. Of course, the wagering requirements play a key part in determining which are the best deals, and only bonuses with fair conditions make our list.
Just as important is the overall game selection, long-term promotional opportunities and available payment methods. After all, if a casino accepts PayPal, it can make a big difference to how quickly you can withdraw your winnings. If you want to find out more about any of our listed casinos, then you can check out our detailed casino reviews, for all the information you need.
A final consideration is the betting limits that are attached to the slot. Can you play the game with the stakes you want? Luckily, the betting limits for Starburst are similar at all casinos, so you can take your pick and play with the bet level that suits your style of play.
A Complete Overview of the Slot
Starburst may have been released over 6 years ago, yet its graphical quality could rival the newest of modern video slots. By giving old-school symbols a sharp and detailed look, it captures the nostalgia of playing classic slot machines with the excitement of adrenalin-fuelled arcade games. The space theme is reflected in the star-studded backdrop and the ethereal soundtrack. With wins paid both ways, they come frequently as you play, and the high-energy blasts of music build the anticipation of big payouts. Starburst does lack some of the typical features that you expect to find in a video slot. Yet what it lacks in traditional free spins and bonus rounds, it makes up for with the innovative expanding wild re-spin feature. In the following section, you’ll find a full breakdown of all the game’s highs and lows. But first of all, we’d like to hear what you think.
Once you have rated the slot across the following criteria, you will also see how other players rated the game.
How to Play: Rules, Settings & Options
One of the main highlights of Starburst is its simple, straightforward rules. You can get stuck straight into playing and pick up the essentials instantly. Select your coin value and bet level, then it is a simple case of clicking spin to play the game. The game has a typical setup with 5 reels and 3 rows. It features 10 fixed paylines, which pay both ways. The slot has a handy autoplay option, allowing you to select between 10 and 1000 spins to play hands free. There are also advanced options, where you can stop autoplay if wins exceed your specified amount, or if the stake increases or decreases by a certain amount. Whilst the slot boasts fast-paced gameplay, you can increase the speed of play even further by switching on the quick spin setting.
Basic Info | |
Type | Video Slot |
RTP | 96.01% |
Developer | NetEnt |
Year Launched | 2012 |
Mobile-friendly | Yes |
Features | |
Free Spins | Re-Spin Feature |
Bonus Round | No |
Progressive | No |
Multiplier | No |
Gamble | No |
Layout | |
Reels | 5 |
Rows | 3 |
Paylines | 10 |
Lines Pay | Left to Right |
Both Ways | Space, Jewels |
Settings | |
Autoplay | Yes |
Quick Spin | Yes |
Coin Levels | 1-10 |
Bet per Spin | £0.10 – £100 |
Adjust Paylines | No |
The Paytable: Symbols, Winning Combinations and Payouts
The Starburst slot features a small yet perfectly formed selection of symbols. The highest paying symbol is a traditional gold bar. In keeping with the outer space theme, it overlays a golden ringed planet. The classic lucky 7 slot symbol is also given a planetary twist and provides the next highest set of payouts. The other symbols are a selection of colourful, multi-shaped, sparking jewels. The symbols are stacked onto the reels, so multiple winning combinations occur often. Not only does the small number of symbols make it quick and easy to spot the highest winning potential as you play, it also means that wins line up frequently. Plus, with wins paid from both left to right and right to left, there are plenty of chances to win.
There is one more special symbol in this slot which is undoubtedly the star of the show. The iconic multi-coloured Starburst wild appears on the three central reels and substitutes for all other symbols without exception. It is an expanding wild and it triggers the wild re-spin feature. You will learn more about the special feature later in this Starburst slot review.
Symbol | 2 Symbols | 3 Symbols | 4 Symbols | 5 Symbols |
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Bar | 50 | 200 | 250 | |
7 | 25 | 60 | 120 | |
Yellow Gem | 10 | 25 | 60 | |
Green Gem | 8 | 20 | 50 | |
Orange Gem | 7 | 15 | 40 | |
Blue Gem | 5 | 10 | 25 | |
Purple Gem | 5 | 10 | 25 | |
Wild |
The highest value symbol, the golden bar pays out x250 for 5 on a payline. At first glance, this may not seem particularly high. However, you should keep in mind that landing 5 matching symbols on a payline will pay both ways, essentially doubling the win. The game has a maximum win of 50,000 coins. This is achieved with a max bet of 10 levels. As there is a maximum coin value of £1, this makes the maximum possible real money win on Starburst £50,000.
Theme Overview and Image Gallery
Playing online slots can give you the chance to escape the stresses of day-to-day life and enter into a realm of excitement and entertainment. From the moment you launch Starburst, you are transported into a celestial setting. The reels sit against a beautiful purple-hewed outer space skyline, with the cusp of the earth radiating with light. You will see glowing stars moving across the sky as you play, immersing you into the outer space setting and theme. The vividly coloured gems and classically styled symbols give the slot the feel of an arcade game. And whilst the cosmic soundtrack is tranquil and relaxing, it is frequently juxtaposed with punchy, high-energy blasts of music, triumphantly announcing wins, in true arcade style.
Graphics and Animations
NetEnt slots are renowned world-wide for their exceptional graphical quality and innovative features. No better is this displayed than in the Starburst slot machine. The game is widely considered the star of the entire NetEnt game portfolio. The game’s style and colour scheme are eye catching, bold and evoke the spirit of arcade games. The paytable can be accessed with a simple click and is displayed clearly and concisely. Forget reading through 10 pages to understand complex rules, features and settings, everything you need to know is captured in just 2 pages. We have played Starburst extensively and captured some of the key screens for you to see at a glance.
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This is the base game with all 7 of the standard symbols displayed. You can click spin to play or activate the autoplay option.
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Starburst wilds can appear on reels 2, 3 and 4 only. They substitute for all other symbols to complete winning combinations.
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A Starburst wild expands to fill an entire reel and holds in place for a re-spin. Up to 3 re-spins can be won if further wilds land.
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Line up a big win and the lights will flash, the screen will glow and the music will blast out. It really gets the adrenaline flowing.
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Super Mega Win:What could be better than a big win? Well what about your big win becoming a mega win, or even a super mega win of up to 50,000 coins.
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The Starburst paytable clearly displays all symbol payouts. There is also a second page which explains the Starburst wild re-spin feature.
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Paylines:Starburst has 10 fixed paylines, and wins are paid both ways. Here you can see a win on the 2nd payline from left to right.
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Video:You can see the Starburst slot in action with our video. Gheck it our before you decide whether you are ready to try your luck for real.
From these few pictures, you can see the quality and style that NetEnt games are famous for. Each symbol is beautifully crafted, and the theme is captured perfectly. The colour scheme is pleasing to the eye and reflects both the space-like theme as well as the arcade game style. Each time you get a win, you will see symbol animations. Gems flashing and twinkling may not be the most entertaining animations you will see in a video slot. Yet in fairness, there is little more you can do with an inanimate object like a gem to make it spring to life, and it works perfectly with the arcade-type gameplay.
The Starburst wilds pack more punch than the other symbols. When they land, they visibly expand, glow and jump out at you. It grabs your attention and builds the anticipation of a win landing. Another highlight of the animations is the captions that flash across the screen when you line up multiple line wins on a spin. You’ll see the payout amounts popping up as well as combo, mega combo, and super mega combo. When you see the lights flash yellow, the excitement hits epic levels as you know you have hit the big wins. You’ll see BIG WIN! boldly emblazoned across the whole screen. For the really lucky wins, this can build and evolve into mega wins and even super mega wins, for the biggest payouts.
Audio: Music & Sound Effects
As already touched upon in this Starburst slot review, the sound effects are a big highlight of the game. On the one hand, the intro and base game soundtrack is light and ethereal. The pleasantly tranquil tones have a cosmic feel and perfectly complement the outer space theme.
Yet that is only half of the story. The gentle, relaxing music is frequently interjected with up-beat blasts of music to announce when you line up a win. The electrifying sounds instantly grab you and take the excitement to a whole new level. This is one slot that you should always play with the sound cranked up to experience the full thrill of the gameplay.
Betting Limits – Minimum and Maximum Bets
Starburst is a great slot for beginners, thanks to the simple and uncomplicated rules. Yet its high-energy gameplay and frequent payouts also make it a popular choice with experienced players. Given the wide-reaching appeal of the game, there is a wide range of betting limits that cater to all types of players. The slot is played with a permanently enabled 10 paylines and there are 1 – 10 bet levels and different coin values. Whilst these can vary from one casino to another, you will generally find that the coin value ranges from 1p up to £1. As such, the minimum bet per spin is just 10p, perfect for beginners and those playing on a low budget. At the other end of the spectrum, you can crank up the bet level and coin value to play with a maximum of £100 per spin. Whilst there are online slots which feature much higher betting limits, a £100 max bet per spin should meet the needs of most high rollers and experienced players.
The Starburst Expanding Wild Re-Spin Feature – Bonus or Free Spins?
When it comes to playing video slots, we have come to expect a range of special features. Most notable are free spins, in some cases you also get a bonus round. Yet Starburst is not like most other slots. The key feature of the game is the Starburst wild. The wild symbol can land on reel 2, 3 or 4. Once it appears, it expands to fill the entire reel, sticks in place and triggers a re-spin. If another wild lands on the re-spin, it too expands and triggers another re-spin. The maximum number of re-spins is 3.
So how do you class this special feature of starburst – free spins or bonus? The reality is that it is a bit of both. Each re-spin is essentially a free spin. And whilst each wild triggers just a single free spin, they land often as you play, pumping up the anticipation and thrill of potential big wins. Hitting 3 wilds across the central reel is a true sight to behold. With wins paid in both directions on the 10 paylines, you are guaranteed 20 payouts. If you are lucky enough to land any BAR symbols on that illusive third re-spin, then you are in for a hefty payout.
Starburst RTP Overview
If you have played slots online, you have no doubt come across the term RTP. It stands for Return to Player and it shows the theoretical percentage of all money wagered on the slot that is paid out to players as winnings. The RTP of online slots can vary greatly. Whilst some have a considerably low RTP of as little as 75%, others can reach up to the high nineties. The Starburst RTP is 96.1%.
One of the defining features of NetEnt slots is the player-friendly RTP. Their slots deliver a payout of 95 – 99%. Of course, the payout percentages are calculated and verified over thousands and thousands of spins. A short playing time could see your actual winnings deviate above or below the published RTP. Yet it is fair to say that the higher the Return to Player, the better the odds for the player. With an RTP of 96.1%, Starburst offers a much higher payout rate than many other online slots. This is a distinct highlight of the game.
Volatility, Variance, Hit Frequency
Whilst the Starburst RTP indicates the overall profitability you can expect by playing, it does not tell the whole story. In fact, it tells you nothing at all about the variance. The experienced slot players amongst you are probably familiar with advanced slot concepts. Yet for those of you with a little less experience under your belt, let’s explain them in more detail.
Variance, often referred to as volatility, are one and the same thing. They explain the risk involved in playing a certain slot. Low volatility means low risk gameplay and high volatility means high risk. It gives you an understanding of how often wins are hit and how big those payouts are. When you play a high variance slot, wins are infrequent. Yet when you do win, the payouts tend to be big. Low variance slots on the other hand have a high hit frequency, with many smaller wins.
Starburst is a low variance slot. Try out the Starburst free play game and you’ll quickly get a feel for how entertaining this makes the gameplay. Wins hit frequently, with lots of little payouts happening often. A key advantage of the game’s low volatility is that it stretches out your bankroll. It allows you to play the game for longer periods of time without risking a serious dent in your bankroll. And whilst lower valued, small payouts are characteristic of the slot, that is not to say that you cannot still win big payouts, with a maximum win of 50,000 coins featured in the game.
Compatibility – Instant Play, Download, Mobile
As one of the most renowned and popular of all NetEnt slots, it comes as little surprise that a mobile friendly version of the game is available. Starburst Touch comes with the same superior graphical quality and energising sound effects as the desktop game. The slot has been expertly adapted so that you can switch seamlessly between mobile and desktop platforms without sacrificing any of the entertainment the game has to offer.
To provide the optimum presentation of the game on the smaller screens of mobile phones and tablets, a few minor tweaks have been made to the layout. For instance, the spin button sits to the side of the reels and disappears from view whilst the reels spin. Also, settings and options are grouped together within a separate submenu. This keeps the display clear and clutter free, whilst enabling quick and easy access as you need them.
The Starburst mobile slot is compatible with iOS and Android, so provided your device is running a relatively recent version of either operating system, you can play the game on virtually any smartphone or tablet. You can try our Starburst free play demo on your mobile device and check out how it looks and feels. If you want to play Starburst for real money on your mobile, then you can take your pick of casino apps. If a casino site features Starburst, you can guarantee it will be available on their mobile app too. The slot can be played in your mobile browser on web-based casino apps. It is also incorporated into casino download apps from iTunes and the Google Play Store.
Player Experience
Our thorough research for this Starburst slot review included playing the slot extensively and also listening to other players’ experiences of the game. The overall experience rates highly, which is no surprise given the game’s huge popularity. The slick graphics and high energy sound effects catch your attention, while the frequent wins keep the game engaging and exciting to play. The win both ways feature boosts your chances of lining up wins, and the stacks of symbols mean that you regularly hit multiple winning combos from a single spin.
Yet the big draw is the expanding wild re-spin feature. It lands surprisingly often and more often than not will give your bankroll a boost. Yet it is fair to say that hitting 3 successive wild re-spins is a pretty infrequent occurrence, which can become frustrating. Although when you do fill those central reels with wilds, the thrill is indescribable. Given that Starburst lacks traditional free spins or bonus features, you would expect a fair amount of negative feedback. However, the lack of complex features works to Starburst’s advantage. It keeps the gameplay and rules super simple, with the wild re-spins providing enough excitement and rewards to make the game enjoyable. The fact that Starburst is often featured in the casino free spins for new players also goes a long way in endearing the game to online gamblers.
Real or Fake
There is no doubting that the Starburst slot is fun to play, but is it safe? Rest assured that the game has been independently tested to verify that it is completely legit. Starburst has been rigorously tested and certified by the renowned and respected auditing authority, eCOGRA. As such, you can play Starburst with complete confidence that it is not rigged.
Safety is ,of course, a primary concern when playing slots online. Given that Starburst is a trusted slot, the next step is to consider what is has to offer, as well as any shortcomings, to decide if this is the right game for you. It is clear that the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to playing Starburst. Below we have summarised the main advantages and disadvantages of the Starburst game.
Whilst the game is independently certified as legit, not all casinos are. So, when you decide to play Starburst for real money, you need to be sure that you pick a reputable online casino. To make sure that you are protected, you should opt for an operator which is licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. As such, you know that the operator is responsible and uses top-end technical security to keep your personal data secure, providing you with a safe and fair gaming environment. This is advisable not only for people wanted to play Starburst in the UK, but worldwide as well. To save you some effort, we have thoroughly compared all starburst slot sites for you. Play at any of the casinos featured on our list of recommended operators and you can enjoy the game, safe in the knowledge that you are protected.
- Gambling Commission
- GamCare Certified
- GambleAware
- McAfee
- eCogra
Starburst Tips and Tricks – How to Win Big
When it comes to playing online slots, whether you win mostly comes down to luck. As we have already explained, Starburst is a legit game with fair results. There is no way to manipulate the reels to provide guaranteed wins. That being said, experienced players have come to realise that there are certain strategies that can be used to play Starburst optimally. And whilst we cannot give you a sure-fire cheat to win at Starburst, there are some things you can do to boost your enjoyment and maybe even your odds.
1. Manage Your Bankroll
Perhaps the most important tip for playing Starburst is to manage your bankroll. The game is fast-paced, and it is possible to lose track of how much you are spending. Decide how much you want to bet before playing the slot. You can keep track of this easily by using the autoplay setting. You can set parameters to end the automatic spins after a certain win, loss or simply after a set number of spins.
2. Play with Max Bet
Bigger wins come with bigger bets. So many experienced players opt to use Max Bet when playing the game. Max Bet plays the game at the highest bet level (10) with the selected coin value. Any coin wins are multiplied by the bet level, so payouts are much bigger. Of course, playing with Max Bet will eat into your bankroll more quickly, so you need to be mindful of setting yourself limits and sticking to them.
3. Take Advantage of Bonuses
Many casino welcome bonuses are perfect for playing slots. Playing Starburst with a bonus will extend your playing time and enable you to fulfil the wagering requirements, converting your bonus winnings into real money that you can withdraw. You will also find that many casinos provide Starburst free spins as part of their welcome deal. You can check our recommended casinos list to find top bonuses for Starburst.
4. Practice in Demo Mode
The rules of Starburst are incredibly straightforward. Yet it is still recommended to play for free before playing with real money. The Starburst demo will give you the chance to get to grips with the settings, options, bet levels and all other key features, without any risk to your own money involved. You can play the slot for free as many times as you like to prepare yourself fully to play with your own money.
Starburst VR Slot
In this review, we have delved into all the details of the Starburst slot. And whilst we have looked at the details of the desktop game and the mobile version, there is one more platform which we are yet to touch upon; VR. NetEnt are true innovators in the online casino industry and this is clearly displayed in their commitment to using new technologies to drive gaming to new levels. They have embraced the trend for VR gaming and developed some of their most popular games for Virtual Reality gameplay. Whilst Starburst creates an engaging and immersive gaming experience, the VR game boosts the gameplay even further. When you line up wins, you’ll see the sparkling gem symbols jumping out from the screen and landing all around you. You can play VR Starburst, the world’s first ever virtual reality casino.
Slot Comparison: See the Top Alternatives
In this Starburst slot review, we have touched upon the popularity of the game. Yet it will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Whilst some players appreciate the simplicity of the gameplay, others miss traditional bonus and free spin features. Some players seek the jackpots and big payouts available in high variance slots, above the frequent wins that this low variance slot provides. We all have our own tastes when it comes to the types of slots we want to play. As such, we have created a detailed comparison of Starburst against some of the other most popular slots featured at UK online casinos.
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All Starburst Slot Casinos
When it comes to playing Starburst online, you are spoilt for choice. We have already introduced you to our top 5 casinos, but now, we will show you a much wider selection of casinos where you can play Starburst. Rest assured that each of these casinos has been thoroughly checked to ensure that they are safe, licenced and trustworthy. If any of the operators takes your fancy, click on it to see our full detailed review.
Commonly Asked Questions About Starburst Slot
You need to be on speaking terms with the games you want to play for real money or you could get in a peculiar situation, not knowing what or why it is happening. The finishing touches of our Starburst review will include some frequently asked questions and their corresponding answers.
?? What is Starburst slot machine?
Starburst is an all-hit features NetEnt 5-reel slot with an RTP of 96.01%. It was launched the year 2012 and is the popular choice for real money play Ten pay lines are active, each of which pays from left to right. There's no progressive jackpot, but you can adjust coin value on a ten-level scale. Autoplay is also available.
?? How to take advantage of Starburst slot free spins?
Free spins is one of the most prominent features of Starburst. The game isn't like other classic slots in that re-spins can be triggered if enough wilds appear in the right order. A streak of up to three re-spins is the most that the gameplay allows being activated.
?? How to win on Starburst slot?
The game has fairly standard winning conditions – 10 permanently active pay lines define the which combinations pay out and which don't. You don't have control over the reels, all you can do is spin them whenever you want to after a bet is made. Starbrust's rules give you plenty of leverage when it comes to bonuses.
?? Where to play Starburst slot for free?
A big part of the Starburst experience is when you learn the ropes. Luckily, Starburst demo games are available for free on the internet. They are an invaluable tool to help you save money for when you finally feel confident enough to place wagers.
? How to play Starburst slot machine?
To play starburst online, you need only to know how to measure out the exact bet size you want. That being so, it helps a ton if you know the paytable and symbols constituting the game. Only sets of three of a kind symbols are rewarded, but payouts look more than fair. There is a Wild symbol too.
Share Your Opinion
As we reach the end of this Starburst slot review, it is time for you to have your own say. If you have played Starburst and have an interesting story to tell, then why not share it with our readers? Maybe you had an intriguing experience playing the game? Have you had a big win? Do you have a useful tip you would like to share? We’d love to hear from you, so feel free to add your own thoughts, comments and experiences of the Starburst slot below.