Starburst
Starburst by NetEnt is arguably one of the most recognizable and beloved online slots in the industry. Launched in 2012, this space-themed game has maintained its popularity thanks to its simple yet engaging gameplay, vibrant jewel-like symbols, and the exciting expanding wild feature. The game's sleek design features colorful gemstones against a dark cosmic backdrop, creating a visually striking experience that appeals to both new and experienced players.
Starburst is perfect for players who prefer low to medium volatility gameplay with frequent small to medium wins rather than chasing massive jackpots. Its straightforward mechanics make it an ideal choice for beginners, while its polished execution keeps veterans coming back.
Quick Facts
| Provider | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| Volatility | Low to Medium |
| RTP | 96.01% |
| Bet Range | From low stakes to higher limits |
| Max Win | Moderate max win potential |
| Reels/Rows | 5 reels, 3 rows |
| Paylines | 10 fixed paylines (both ways) |
How Starburst Works
Starburst uses a classic 5-reel, 3-row layout with 10 fixed paylines. What makes it unique is that wins pay both ways—from left to right and right to left—effectively doubling your chances of forming winning combinations compared to traditional one-way slots. Wins are formed by landing three or more matching symbols on a payline.
The game features sparkling gem symbols in various colors: purple, blue, yellow, orange, and green, along with the classic lucky seven and BAR symbols. Each symbol is beautifully animated, and the game's soundtrack features an upbeat, electronic space theme that perfectly complements the cosmic visuals.
Starburst is known for its simplicity—there's no traditional free spins bonus or complex features. Instead, the focus is on the core gameplay and the expanding wild mechanic, which creates the main excitement. This straightforward approach makes the game easy to understand and play, even for complete beginners.
Bonus Features & Re-Spins
The centerpiece of Starburst is the Starburst Wild symbol, which appears on reels 2, 3, and 4. When a wild symbol lands, it expands to cover the entire reel and triggers a free re-spin. During the re-spin, the expanded wild remains locked in place, and if another wild appears, it also expands and locks, triggering another re-spin.
You can potentially get up to three expanded wilds (covering reels 2, 3, and 4 simultaneously) with a series of re-spins, creating an almost full screen of wild symbols. This scenario significantly boosts your winning potential, as the wilds substitute for all other symbols and wins pay both ways.
While Starburst doesn't have a traditional free spins round, the expanding wild re-spins feature can be quite lucrative, especially when multiple wilds appear. The excitement of watching a wild land, expand, and potentially trigger additional wilds keeps the gameplay engaging. The combination of both-ways-pays and expanding wilds means that even moderate hits can result in satisfying payouts across multiple paylines.
How to Win at Starburst (Strategy Tips)
Leverage Low Volatility: Starburst's low to medium volatility means wins occur more frequently, but they're typically smaller. This makes it an excellent game for extended play sessions with a moderate bankroll. You can enjoy longer playtime per dollar compared to high volatility slots, making it ideal for casual entertainment.
Both-Ways-Pays Advantage: Remember that Starburst pays both left-to-right and right-to-left, which doubles your chances of winning combinations. This feature means you'll experience more frequent wins overall, helping to sustain your balance and extend your gaming session. Don't be surprised by the regularity of small wins—this is by design.
Practice in Demo Mode: Before playing with real money at Spinit, spend some time with the demo version to get a feel for the game's pace and how often the expanding wild feature triggers. This experience will help you understand what to expect in terms of win frequency and payout sizes, allowing you to make informed decisions about bet sizing.
Set Session Limits: Even with lower volatility, it's essential to set clear session limits. Decide in advance how much you're willing to spend and what win amount would satisfy you. The frequent small wins in Starburst can create an illusion that you're always close to breaking even or getting ahead, but the house edge still applies over time.
Understand the Randomness: Despite its simple appearance, Starburst uses a certified random number generator to ensure fair and unpredictable outcomes. There are no patterns, no "hot" or "cold" streaks you can exploit, and no strategy that guarantees wins. Play for the entertainment value of the cosmic theme and engaging gameplay, not with the expectation of consistent profits.
RTP, Volatility & Bankroll Tips
Understanding the 96.01% RTP: Starburst has an RTP of 96.01%, which is around the industry average. This means that over millions of spins, the game theoretically returns $96.01 for every $100 wagered. While this is a fair RTP, remember that it's calculated over the long term, and individual sessions will vary. The low to medium volatility means your actual RTP experience may feel more consistent than with high volatility games.
Low to Medium Volatility Characteristics: Low to medium volatility means you'll experience wins more frequently, but the individual win amounts tend to be smaller. This creates a smoother bankroll experience with fewer dramatic swings compared to high volatility slots. You're less likely to see your balance double or halve quickly, making Starburst suitable for players who prefer steady, relaxed gameplay.
Bankroll Management: For Starburst, you don't need as large a bankroll relative to your bet size as you would for high volatility slots. However, it's still wise to budget for at least 50-100 spins to give yourself adequate playtime. If you have $50 to play with, consider bets of $0.50-$1.00 per spin. The frequent small wins help sustain your balance, but remember that over extended play, the house edge will typically reduce your balance gradually unless you hit a particularly lucky session with multiple expanding wilds.
Playing Starburst at Spinit
Playing Starburst at Spinit is effortless and enjoyable. After logging into your account, simply search for "Starburst" in the game lobby or browse the NetEnt section. The game loads instantly in your browser with no download needed, and you can start spinning immediately.
Spinit offers flexible betting options to suit various budgets, from small stakes for casual players to higher limits for those who prefer larger bets. The platform provides a secure gaming environment with multiple payment methods for easy deposits and withdrawals.
Spinit is committed to responsible gaming, offering tools like deposit limits, session time reminders, and self-exclusion options. These features help you maintain control over your gaming activity and ensure that your experience remains enjoyable and within your budget.
Mobile Experience
Starburst is fully optimized for mobile devices, providing the same vibrant graphics and smooth gameplay on smartphones and tablets as on desktop computers. NetEnt has ensured that the game adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes while maintaining visual quality and performance.
The touch-based controls are intuitive, making it easy to adjust your bet, spin the reels, and access game settings with simple taps. The colorful gemstone symbols and expanding wilds are just as visually impressive on mobile screens, and the game runs smoothly even on older devices. Mobile play at Spinit requires no app download—just access the casino through your mobile browser and start enjoying Starburst wherever you are.
Starburst – FAQ
What is the RTP of Starburst?
Starburst has an RTP of 96.01%, which is around the industry average. This percentage represents the theoretical return to players over millions of spins, though individual sessions will vary.
Is Starburst suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. Starburst is one of the best slots for beginners thanks to its straightforward gameplay, low to medium volatility, and simple mechanics. There are no complex bonus features to learn, making it easy to understand and play from your very first spin.
Does Starburst have a bonus round or free spins?
Starburst doesn't have a traditional free spins bonus round. Instead, it features expanding wild symbols that trigger re-spins. When a wild lands on reels 2, 3, or 4, it expands to cover the entire reel and awards a re-spin with the wild locked in place. Additional wilds can trigger more re-spins.
Can I play Starburst on mobile?
Yes, Starburst is fully optimized for mobile play on both iOS and Android devices. The game maintains its high-quality graphics and all features on mobile, accessible directly through Spinit's mobile website with no app required.
Is there a strategy to guarantee wins on Starburst?
No, there is no strategy that can guarantee wins. Starburst uses a certified random number generator (RNG) to ensure completely random and fair outcomes. The best approach is responsible bankroll management, setting limits, and playing for entertainment rather than expecting guaranteed profits.
What does "both ways pays" mean in Starburst?
Both ways pays means that winning combinations can be formed from left to right and from right to left on the paylines. This effectively doubles your chances of winning compared to traditional one-direction slots, contributing to Starburst's frequent hit rate.