How to Play Starburst

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What Is Starburst and Why Is It So Popular?

Starburst is an online slot from NetEnt, first released in 2012. It has become one of the most played slots of all time, and for good reason. The game is simple to understand, the design is bright and cheerful, and the pace is fast without ever feeling overwhelming. Glowing gemstones tumble across a dark starfield, and the whole thing has an arcade feel that suits both brand-new players and people who have been spinning reels for years.

The main reason Starburst stays popular is its low volatility. That means wins tend to arrive fairly often, even if they are usually modest in size. If you prefer steady, frequent action to long dry spells punctuated by rare big hits, Starburst is built for you. It is also worth knowing what Starburst is not: there is no free spins round, no pick-and-click bonus and no second screen. The base game is the whole game, which is part of why it feels so easy to pick up.

Reels, Rows and Win Both Ways Paylines

Starburst uses a classic 5×3 grid. That means five reels across and three rows down, giving you fifteen symbol positions on every spin. Onto this grid the game lays 10 fixed paylines. Because they are fixed, you cannot switch individual lines on or off; every spin plays all ten, and your total stake covers them all.

The feature that sets Starburst apart is that it pays both ways. On most slots a winning combination has to start on the leftmost reel and run to the right. In Starburst, matching symbols pay whether they line up from left to right or from right to left. This is often called “Win Both Ways”. In practice it gives you two chances to complete a combination on every line, which is a big part of why wins land so regularly.

To form a win you need matching gems, or the bar and seven symbols, landing in sequence along a payline starting from either end. The reported return to player (RTP) is 96.09%, and the most you can win on a single spin is 500 times your stake.

The Starburst Wild and Re-Spin Feature

The Starburst Wild is the only special symbol in the game, and understanding it is the key to understanding Starburst. It is the multicoloured star, and it works like this:

• The Starburst Wild appears only on the three middle reels: reels 2, 3 and 4. It never lands on reel 1 or reel 5.
• When a Wild lands, it expands to fill the entire reel it appears on, top to bottom.
• An expanded Wild substitutes for every other symbol, helping to complete combinations across the paylines.
• Once expanded, the Wild holds in place and the game awards a re-spin, keeping that reel locked while the others spin again.
• If another Wild lands during a re-spin, it also expands and holds, and you earn a further re-spin.
• You can build up to three consecutive re-spins this way, with all expanded Wilds staying locked for the duration.

With Wilds held across two or all three middle reels and paying in both directions, this is where Starburst produces its most satisfying moments. There is nothing you need to do to trigger it; the re-spins happen automatically when a Wild appears.

How to Choose and Set Your Bet

Your stake in Starburst is built from two settings, and it helps to know how they combine.

Bet level

The bet level controls how many coins you put behind each spin. Raising the level increases your stake in even steps while keeping the coin value the same.

Coin value

The coin value sets how much each coin is worth. Adjusting this scales your stake up or down more sharply.

Between them, these two controls let you cover a wide range, roughly from around 10p up to £100 per spin depending on the casino. Take a moment before you start to set a stake you are comfortable repeating many times, since a low-volatility game like Starburst is designed to be played over lots of spins rather than a handful of big ones.

Using Autoplay

If you would rather not click for every spin, Starburst includes an autoplay option. You choose how many automatic spins to run, and the game handles the rest at a steady pace. Most versions also let you set sensible limits, such as stopping automatically after a certain loss or once a single win reaches a set size. Autoplay is a convenience feature, not a shortcut to better results; every spin is independent and the odds are exactly the same whether you press the button yourself or let it run.

Playing Starburst on Mobile

Starburst was built to work well on phones and tablets as well as desktop. The layout adjusts to smaller screens, the controls sit within easy thumb reach, and the game runs smoothly in both portrait and landscape. All the same features are there on mobile, including the expanding Wilds, the re-spins and autoplay, so you lose nothing by playing on the go. A stable connection helps the game load and spin without interruption.

Practical Tips for New Players

Starburst is easy to enjoy, and a few simple habits will help you get the most from it.

• Set a budget before you start and treat it as money you are happy to spend on entertainment. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose.
• Because the game is low volatility, smaller and steadier stakes usually suit it better than large one-off bets. This lets your budget stretch across more spins, which is how the game is meant to be experienced.
• Try the demo or free-play version first, if the casino offers one, so you can get a feel for the controls and the pace before playing for real.
• Remember that no setting, bet size or playing pattern can change the RTP or the outcome of a spin. Each result is random and independent, so there is no “strategy” that beats the game.
• Set time and money limits and stick to them. If it ever stops being fun, take a break.

Played sensibly, Starburst is a relaxed, colourful slot that rewards a light touch. If you later fancy something with more risk and bigger swings, NetEnt released a higher-volatility sequel, Starburst XXXtreme, in 2021. For support and advice on gambling responsibly, visit GambleAware at gambleaware.org.

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