Stylized image with a large red number 7, green gems, and gold coins on a purple and green background.

Starburst is a perennial top-ten slot, ranking in first place more often than not. It was released by developers NetEnt in 2012 and continues to shine to this day. In this guide, learn how to play Starburst, the spin-offs, Slingo, top tips, and more.

How to Play Starburst: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these quick and simple steps to begin your journey into the world of Starburst:

  1. Log in to your preferred casino site

    Alternatively, you can seek out a free play demo. You’ll find the Starburst slots at most online casinos. 

  2. Launch the Starburst game

    Load it up and get familiar with the layout: five reels, three rows, and ten fixed paylines.

  3. Adjust your stake

    Using the controls below the reels, you can change your coin value and bet level. The minimum stake is typically $0.10. Depending on your casino, the Max Bet can be as high as $100 a spin. Be cautious when hitting Max Bet – it can quickly add up, and you should always gamble responsibly. 

  4. Hit spin

    Click the spin button once you’re happy with your stake and settings. If it’s available, you can also use auto-play (some legislations have banned autoplay).

  5. Land a win

    Starburst pays out for matching three or more symbols on a payline, from left to right or right to left. This is one of Starburst’s outstanding features.

  6. Look out for the Starburst Wilds

    These colorful expanding wilds are your ticket to the potential big wins on the Starburst slot game.

Colorful slot machine interface featuring gems, bars, and lucky 7s, with a bet amount displayed and a spin button ready to play.

Starburst Symbols

The Startburst icons are colored gems. The addition of Lucky 7 and BAR flashes back to the fruit machines of yesteryear.

Here’s a Starburst symbol payout chart based on bet level one:

SymbolValue (5 of a kind)Value (4 of a kind)Value (3 of a kind)Details
Bar250 coins20050The highest paying symbol
7120 coins6025Classic lucky sevens
Yellow Gem60 coins2510Top Gem
Green Gem50 coins208Worth Hitting
Orange Gem40 coins157Mid-tier payout
Blue Gem25 coins105Lower payout
Purple Gem25 coins105Lower payout
Starburst WildsN/AN/AN/A Expands on reels 2, 3, or 4 + re-spin

Starburst Paylines

Starburst is a 10-payline game, which is not unusual. However, unlike most online slots, the Starburst paylines pay in both directions: from right to left and the usual left to right. This is another notable feature that this slot offers. Below, you’ll find how the paylines in Starburst are paid out, which shows various different combinations, including horizontal, diagonal, and zigzag paylines.

Image showing a 10-payline slot machine example with numbered grids. Each grid displays various winning line patterns using stars, illustrating different ways to win.

Starburst Bonus

There is no specific cutaway bonus or feature round in Starburst. However, it does offer some enticing features that are certain to excite players of this popular slot game.

  • 💥 Starburst wilds: These are wild symbols that expand to cover an entire reel. They appear on reels 2, 3, or 4.
  • 🌀 Re-spins: When a Starburst Wild expands, you get a free re-spin. If more Wilds appear, you get another re-spin, up to three in a row.

Starburst RTP & Volatility

The Starburst slot’s RTP (Return to Player) is around 96.09%. That means, on average, players receive back $96.09 for every $100 wagered. This is higher than the average.

The game’s volatility is low. This means frequent but smaller wins, making it ideal for casual play. It makes gameplay a lot of fun.

However, even low-volatility slots don’t guarantee wins. Make sure to play within your budget and take frequent breaks.

Slingo Starburst 

Slingo Starburst is a clever mash-up of real money slots and bingo.

Instead of traditional slot reels, the goal is to complete horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines on a 5×5 bingo-style grid. These lines are called ‘Slingos’ (SLots + bINGO). At the bottom of the screen, five numbers spin. Each play consists of ten spins. If the spinning numbers match those in the grid above, they are marked off. 

Complete a line, and you will earn a Slingo. It’s more or less the same as bingo.

You can also get:

  • 💥 Starburst wilds: Like in the original slot, these wilds substitute for other symbols to help complete Slingos.
  • 🎰 Re-spins: Some versions of the game offer extra spins to keep the grid moving.
  • 💰 Bonus spins & instant prizes: Higher Slingo scores can unlock bonus spins on the regular Starburst slot game. You can also win directly.
  • 💵 Super wilds & blockers: Power-ups and hazards can appear, as per other Slingo titles.

When you reach the end of your allocated ten spins, you can pay for extra spins to try and win more Slingos if you wish to do so. However, the cost of each spin rapidly accelerates as the Slingos fill up. You can end up staking more money than you can even win.

This is a brilliant hybrid game, but don’t chase those Slingos and remember to gamble responsibly!

Starburst Slots: Pros and Cons

The positives certainly outweigh the negatives when it comes to Starburst slots. The game has stood the test of time and remains a shining example. This is a game with a serious portfolio and a proven track record.

✅ Pros

• Win-both-ways feature for more chances to win
• Eye-catching design and simple mechanics
• Expanding wilds and re-spins keep things exciting
• Great for beginners

❌ Cons

• No traditional free spins or bonus game
• Somewhat basic
• Low volatility means smaller wins
• Fixed paylines

Our Personal Experience on Starburst Slots

There’s a reason this online slot continues to thrive: it’s good. It may resemble a forgotten Atari console game, but it plays beautifully. Starburst is the perfect blend of simple gameplay and low volatility; those wins keep hitting in both directions.

Since its release, it’s spawned two sequels: Starburst XXXtreme and Starburst Galaxy, and a bizarre bingo/slots mutant that could have been called Bots instead of Slingo.

If you want to give this absolute stone-cold classic online slot a run for its money, head to the launchpad, start the countdown, and get ready to head for the stars.

FAQs

How to play Starburst slot?

Choose your stake, press spin, and aim to match 3 or more symbols across the 10 paylines. Wins count both left to right and right to left. Look out for expanding wilds that trigger re-spins for more chances to win.

Is Starburst a good slot?

Yes, Starburst is one of the most popular online slots today. Thanks to its simple gameplay, vibrant graphics, and low volatility, it’s especially ideal for beginners looking for their first spin.

Does Starburst pay real money?

Yes, Starburst pays real money if you’re playing at a licensed real-money online casino. Remember that it also costs real money to play, wins are never guaranteed, and gambling should always be done responsibly.

What slot app pays real money?

Many licensed casino apps offer real-money slots, including Starburst. Look for apps with strong reviews, proper regulation, and secure payment options. Always check your country’s legal gambling guidelines.

What is the best slots casino site?

The best site depends on your location and preferences, but always choose a licensed, reputable casino with a good game selection and fair bonuses. Explore our slots pages to discover the best option for you.

References

Paul Cullen
Paul Cullen

Paul started his career in newspaper journalism before exploring the emerging world of online gaming in 1998, joining Intertops in Antigua - the pioneering force behind the first online sportsbook. Since then,...