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Read Full BioBuffalo slots are among the most popular games in casinos, both offline and online. First released by Aristocrat Gaming in 2008, the slot was a runaway hit, spawning a family of sequels, spin-offs, and variations.
Key Beats
- The house edge on the Buffalo slot is about 5.15%; this is the average amount the casino keeps.
- You won’t always notice the house edge in a single session of play, but knowing it helps set expectations.
- High-volatility games like Buffalo are better suited for players seeking big wins, rather than slow and steady payouts.
How to Play Buffalo Slots for Beginners
Here is a step-by-step guide to playing Buffalo Slots if you’re unfamiliar with the process.
- Choose your machine
Take your pick of Buffalo-branded slots with desert backdrops, wild animals, and the iconic buffalo.
- Set your bet
Adjust coin denomination and paylines (usually fixed at 1024 ways).
- Spin the reels
Press Spin or use Auto-Play for continuous spins.
- Trigger the bonus round
Land 3+ gold coins to activate Free Spins with multipliers.
- Know when to cash out
Track your bankroll, set win/loss limits, and cash out responsibly.
Buffalo Slot RTP Explained
If you have ever wondered how much you will win or lose playing a slot, the answer is RTP. Every online slot has one.
RTP is an acronym for Return to Player. It tells you exactly what percentage of the slot’s income will be paid back as winnings in the long term.
It’s the inverse of the house edge. If a slot has an RTP of 95%, the house edge on that game is 5%.
- The Buffalo slot RTP is approximately 94.85%
- This means for every $100 wagered, the game will pay out $94.85 in winnings over time.
Pro Tip: RTP is calculated over millions of spins, not individual sessions. It’s an average.
Variance
Buffalo slots are known for their high volatility (aka high variance), which means:
- Fewer frequent wins
- Larger potential payouts, especially during bonus rounds
- It’s a ‘feast or famine’ style of play; exciting, but with potentially long dry spells
Where to Play Buffalo Slots Online
Buffalo and its variations are available at reputable online casinos that host Aristocrat games. Most versions are fully mobile-compatible, allowing you to play on your phone or tablet using a casino app.
Buffalo Slots Symbols and Paytable Guide
Unsurprisingly, given the huge brand, there are numerous variations in symbols and paytables. This guide features the classic Aristocrat Buffalo slot series, which consists of five reels, four rows, and 1024 ways to win.
| High-Value symbols | Buffalo (top-paying), Eagle, Cougar, Elk, Wolf |
| Low-Value symbols | Traditional playing cards: 9, 10, J, Q, K, A |
| Wild Symbols | Sunset: Substitutes for all symbols except scatter and only appears on reels 2, 3, and 4 |
| Scatter Symbols | Gold Coin: 3 or more trigger the Free Spins bonus |
Bonus Features and Free Spins
Once again, there are scores of different versions of this slot – both online and at the casino. Most of the Buffalo slots developed by Aristocrat include the following basic features:
Buffalo Bonus Round – Free Spins
Land at least three scatter coins to activate the bonus round. The number of scatter coins you hit determines the number of free spins awarded:
- 3 Scatter Coins: 8 Free Spins
- 4 Scatter Coins: 15 Free Spins
- 5 Scatter Coins: 20 Free Spins
Bonus Mechanics
- 🤠 During free spins, wild symbols apply multipliers of 2x or 3x
- 💰 Multipliers can stack, creating massive win potential
- 🆓 You can retrigger free spins by landing more scatter coins during the bonus
Max win: In theory, players can win over 1,000x their stake in one bonus round, with the right combination of Buffalos and wild multipliers.
Tips and Strategies for Playing Buffalo Slots
Like all slots, Buffalo is a game of pure chance. You cannot alter the outcome or increase your chances of winning. You can, however, take great care of your bankroll and make the very most of your time playing the game:
- ✅ Set a budget and stick to it. This game is volatile. Don’t chase losses.
- ✅ Start small. Especially if you’re triggering bonuses for the first time.
- ✅ Adjust bet sizes carefully. Raise bets after wins, or during bonus chasing, if your budget allows.
- ✅ Know when to walk away. Big wins are possible, but rarely back-to-back.
Buffalo Slot Variations
Where once a lonely buffalo roamed, there is now a herd of online slots all vying for your coins and attention. Here is a list of buffalo-themed games created by the original developer, Aristocrat Gaming.
| Buffalo | Buffalo and Friends | Buffalo Grand |
| Buffalo Ascension | Buffalo Luxury Line | Buffalo Grand Deluxe |
| Buffalo Diamond Extreme | Lightning Buffalo Link | Buffalo High Limit |
| Buffalo Gold Cash Collection | Buffalo Cash | Buffalo King |
| Buffalo Link | Buffalo Chief | Buffalo Strike |
| Buffalo Lightning | Buffalo Dash for Cash | Buffalo Triple Boost |
| Buffalo Quad Power | Buffalo Ultimate Gold Cash Collection | Buffalo Xtreme |
| Buffalo Triple Power | Buffalo Gold Revolution | |
| Buffalo Ultimate Stampede | Buffalo Gold Wheel of Reward |
How Buffalo Compares to Other Slots
| Slot Type | RTP (Approx.) | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo (Aristocrat) | 94.85% | High |
| Starburst (NetEnt) | 96.1% | Low to Medium |
| Book of Dead (Play’n GO) | 96.2% | High |
| Mega Moolah (Progressive) | 88.1% | Very High |
The truth is: Buffalo has a lower RTP than some modern games. This is typical for high volatility slots and is balanced by its high payout potential in bonus rounds and multipliers. That’s the key to its success.
Conclusion
There’s a reason why the Buffalo slot franchise is so popular: it’s a stampeding classic. With its intense bonus features, classic themes, and Buffalooooo call to action, it’s a feature-rich game that has not only stood the test of time but also delivered a stampede of sequels. What makes Buffalo slots even more fun is when you play responsibly and manage your bankroll well.
FAQs
The RTP is 94.85%, meaning it returns $94.85 for every $100 wagered over the long run.
While there’s no fixed jackpot, the maximum win can exceed 1,000x your bet during bonus rounds with wild multipliers.
Yes, many online casinos offer demo versions of Buffalo slots, allowing you to play without wagering real money.
