How to Play Starburst: Guide to Slot Paylines, Symbols & Features

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

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:

Symbol	Value (5 of a kind)	Value (4 of a kind)	Value (3 of a kind)	Details
Bar	250 coins	200	50	The highest paying symbol
7	120 coins	60	25	Classic lucky sevens
Yellow Gem	60 coins	25	10	Top Gem
Green Gem	50 coins	20	8	Worth Hitting
Orange Gem	40 coins	15	7	Mid-tier payout
Blue Gem	25 coins	10	5	Lower payout
Purple Gem	25 coins	10	5	Lower payout
Starburst Wilds	N/A	N/A	N/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 compared to playing other slot machines. Below, you’ll find how the paylines in Starburst are paid out, which shows various different combinations, including horizontal, diagonal, and zigzag paylines.

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: What To Expect

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 you can expect small but frequent wins, instead of high-value payouts. The game is designed for casual play and steady entertainment, rather than jackpot-chasing. For this reason, Starburst remains a highly trusted and recommended slot for beginners in the game.

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

Who Should Play Starburst? 

Starburst is one of the rare slots that fits every category of player perfectly due to multiple reasons. However, it shines and works more for certain types of players than others. So, what kind of players are likely to get more out of Starburst? 

Beginners

Starburst is perfect for beginners with its low volatility and straightforward gameplay. The game has clear paylines, simple symbols, and steady payouts that enable beginners to experience how slots really work before exploring the more complex ones. 

Low-risk players

Not a high-risk taker? Worry not, Starburst is less likely to wipe out your bankroll in a few spins. If you prefer to enjoy the experience rather than chasing wins, this game is perfect for you. 

Mobile players

If you play on mobile, Starburst is perfect for you as it loads quickly and runs very smoothly on mobile. If you want something easy to enjoy without wasting time behind the screen, this is the game for you. 

5 Best Tips for Playing Starburst

Yes, we all know that Starburst is a game of chance. However, approaching the game without any strategy could turn an outstanding experience into a terrible one. So, avoid this recipe for disaster by following these practical tips to guide your play: 

1. Make sure you set your budget before spinning 

The low volatility offered by Starburst could entice gamers to put in heavy cash without thinking. Don’t do this! Ensure you decide how much you’re willing to put in and stick by your decision. Also, avoid Gambler’s Fallacy by accepting that each spin/session is a different scenario. 

2. Adjust your stake for session length 

There is no definite session allowed on Starburst, so you may plan a long or short session as you wish. Plan your stakes according to the session you plan to have; if it’s a long session, reduce your stakes and vice versa. 

3. Never chase wins or losses

Starburst runs on a Random Number Generator, so every spin is independent of the previous or next one. A win or loss has no effect on the next result, so don’t chase your loss by attempting to win it back. 

4. Don’t follow the game’s pace

Starburst is a fast and easy-to-play game, so it’s easier to be drawn into consecutive games for a long time. Take short breaks to avoid this, and keep a clear mind. A clear mind is in control and definitely wins in the long run. 

5. Learn the trick of cashout 

Knowing when to quit and walk away with a win is a trick every Starburst player should master. If you hit a nice win, consider stopping and taking your money. Don’t get greedy and continue chasing more spins. One of the best moves in your Starburst betting strategy should be a disciplined exit.

Starburst vs Starburst XXXtreme: What’s the Difference? 

The Starbust game now has newer versions that take things up a notch and add a new layer of excitement. One of these versions is the Starburst XXXtreme. Want to know more? Let’s walk through a comparison between both games to determine which works best for you.

Feature	Starburst	Starburst XXXtreme
Release year	2012	2021
Volatility	Low	High
RTP (Return to player)	96.09%	96.26%
Bonus features	Re-spins only	Paid feature triggers & random multipliers
Max win	x500 your stake	x200,000 your stake
Suitable for	Beginners & casual players	High-rollers & risk-takers

From the table, we can see that: 

• The original classic is built for steady, frequent payouts and a relaxing style. 
• XXXtreme is more high risk, with multipliers and a higher volatility. 

Both versions are classic fun. They carry the NetEnt shine, with fair RTPs across the board.

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.

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

References

• UKGC bans online slots’ autoplay and quickspin features (SBC NEWS)