| Software | Microgaming |
|---|---|
| Slot Types | Video Slots |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 20 |
| Slot Game Features | Bonus Rounds Wild Symbol Multipliers Free Spins |
| Min. Bet | 0.01 |
| Max. Bet | 20 |
| Jackpot | 15000 |
| Slot RTP | 96.43% |
This article covers how the two bonuses work together in addition to the reported 96.08% standard RTP, high volatility, 30.33% hit frequency, four fixed jackpots, and a top prize of 12,500x the stake.
Like many modern online slots, Bison Moon is themed after North American wildlife. The reels are placed in a typical North American wilderness setting, but with the added backdrop of a large, shining moon. The main focus of the slot is the bison. Alongside the bison are common North American wildlife such as bears, wolves, eagles, and raccoons. At the bottom end of the game's paytable are the four standard J, Q, K and A playing cards.
The design behind the red moon is good as it serves both functional purposes in terms of the game's design. The red moon is a qualifying symbol for Link & Win. The blue moon is a scatter for free spins. The music complements the wild environment, providing a wide-open and atmospheric experience for the player. The majority of visual elements are dedicated to showing off feature triggers, sticky symbols, and the oversized symbol found during free spins.
The standard version of Bison Moon uses five reels and twenty-five paylines. Players can match winning combinations of symbols along the payline(s) using the paytable. Typically, a minimum bet value of 0.10 has been stated as the lowest bet option in this slot. Typically, operators state that the highest bet options vary in each case (some list 20 others report different maximum bets). Therefore, we recommend checking the bet panel in-game to determine the true betting range. The standard way to initiate a single spin cycle involves clicking the spin button. To gain access to some of the more interesting aspects of Bison Moon gameplay, you need to know about the Bison Wild symbol and the two Moon symbols. Although they share the same thematic nature (both involve moons), they function entirely independently from one another. Therefore, knowing about each of them individually will make it easier for you to find your way through Bison Moon.
| Software | Northern Lights Gaming |
|---|---|
| Slot Types | Video Slots |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 25 |
| Slot Game Features | Link & Win |
| Min. Bet | 0.10 |
| Max. Bet | Varies by operator |
| Jackpot | 5,000x Mega |
| Slot RTP | 96.08% |
The paytable contains four lower-paying J, Q, K and A playing cards. According to reports, each combination of these four symbols can offer a maximum win of approximately 4x the bet depending on the type of card.
The four upper-paying symbols depict animals that live in North America. Raccoons provide up to 7.5x for a maximum of five. Eagles provide up to 10.5x for a maximum of five. Wolves provide up to 15x for a maximum of five. Bears provide up to 25x for a maximum of five. The bison functions as a wild symbol and can substitute for any paying symbol to help complete lines. Its importance increases significantly if it forms part of a larger symbol during free spins.
The two Moon symbols (red and blue) operate as bonus symbols in Bison Moon. The red moon is used to begin Link & Win. Three blue moon scatters will activate ten free spins and allow for a giant 3x3 symbol area across the center three reels. Although they appear similar, they act independently of one another.
The Red Moon activates the Link & Win feature when six or more symbols qualify. When activated, three respins are given. All qualified Red Moons stay "locked" in place for all three respins; however, the other 17 reels are allowed to respin. Anytime another qualifying Red Moon lands, it locks onto the board as well and resets all three respins back to three. For instance, let us say a player gets started with six locked-in Red Moons and three respins left. He gets another Red Moon on his next respin instead of having only two respins left he now has three respins left again. If no new Red Moons land on subsequent respins the feature will end and all cash collected will be paid out. The hold-and-respin formula for Link & Win is nothing new; however, the presence of fixed jackpots and its potential link to Free Spins adds complexity to Bison Moon Link & Win.
Qualifying Red Moons can include sticky cash values related to the current stake size. Anytime a qualifying Red Moon lands during Link & Win, it will lock onto the board until Link & Win concludes. So long as new Red Moons land frequently enough prior to expiring all three respins, the board will fill with sticky cash values and/or jackpots. Some Red Moons can also be labeled with jackpot amounts instead of cash values. This is where mini, minor and major prizes come into play. Therefore, it is not just about collecting multiple Red Moons - each new Red Moon can potentially raise overall cash totals, reset respins, and bring the player closer to achieving a full-grid condition linked to the mega-jackpot.
As mentioned earlier, Bison Moon utilizes fixed jackpots rather than progressive pools. The four levels are:
Mini 50X
Minor 150X
Major 750X
Mega 5,000X
Mini, minor and major prizes can be displayed on qualifying Red Moons during Link & Win rounds. The Mega Prize operates under different circumstances than the other three prizes. The Mega Prize is achieved when all fifteen spaces on the 5x3 grid are filled with sticky cash values/jackpots/other prizes. This naturally gives players a clear sense of progress toward achieving the Mega Prize with each new Red Moon landed. These figures may vary depending on whether the casino configured the jackpots differently; thus, please refer to any internal jackpot chart within the game itself rather than relying on information posted outside of it.
Another key element is activating ten free spins with three Blue Moon Scatter symbols. It's not just removing stakes during a session of free spins that defines this round. During free spins, there exists a giant 3x3 symbol space that replaces nine distinct positions on the middle three reels instead of nine individual spots. Since there is one giant symbol in place of nine independent symbols across three reels and three rows, a large premium symbol or Bison Wild can cover substantially more of your viewable screen space at any one time compared to smaller premium symbols. Additionally, although special symbols can become giants themselves as well (which is an essential aspect that turns free spins into far more engaging), the real magic happens when considering either scenario.
A giant symbol covers all three rows and three reels of your middle section and essentially creates a 3x3 section that can help create winning combinations across numerous paylines. A giant Bison Wild symbol has greater mechanical use since its wild symbol properties can create connections with premium symbols on surrounding reels.
There exist two ways in which giant symbols can affect gameplay during free spins rounds:
While many slots have both Free Spins and hold-and-respin features - typically functioning separately from one another - Bison Moon has created an obvious path linking both features together. Players can earn 10 Free Spins via Blue Moon Scatters during base gameplay. During those Free Spins rounds, a giant symbol could appear in place of your middle three reels' 9 spaces. If that giant symbol were to be a Link & Win symbol, it would automatically grant enough qualifying symbols to initiate Link & Win from within your Free Spins round.
From Base Gameplay into Free Spins Rounds into Link & Win Rounds
With this interaction alone, the oversized symbol has far greater utility than merely generating oversized line wins; each time that oversized symbol changes in your middle section, there is always an opportunity for an event that will change your course during your current bonus round.
Bison Moon also includes a feature called Win Booster that offers an alternate route to purchasing entry into Bonuses. Win Booster raises each spin's wager to 2.5 times the player's original stake but provides increased opportunities for Link & Win symbols to appear in order to improve chances for entering Link & Win rounds. Interestingly enough, there is an underlying mathematical difference when looking at standard versus win booster modes as well. Standard Bison Moon has an RTP of 96.08%, whereas Win Booster has an RTP of 96.33%.
Keep in mind that this increase does NOT guarantee improved performance on an individual basis - raising your wagers per spin will cause your bankroll to deplete faster, regardless of whether you get lucky or unlucky due to increased odds. The distinction between comparing a traditional bonus buy and Win Booster is simple: Traditional Bonus Buys purchase entry into features immediately, while Win Booster adjusts how much money is spent on each individual spin but still requires activation of features.
It appears the most frequently cited (and presumably default) Bison Moon RTP is 96.08%
With that setting, the theoretical house edge is 3.92%. What RTP refers to is the percentage of bets (staked money) the game returns to players in a statistically huge number of trials, NOT what you can reasonably expect to win from a single play session. The 96.33% RTP Win Booster seems to correspond to a theoretical house edge of 3.67%. However, there are some important complications with this issue. It appears some casinos have listed different RTP configurations for Bison Moon. For instance, I've seen one BetMGM listing that has used a less generous RTP configuration than the 96.08% one most frequently cited online.
The takeaway in real-world terms is simple: just be sure to look at the RTP in the version you're playing. Since configurable slots can use many different mathematical models, it is the operator's Game Information Screen that will provide far more accurate data than simply making an assumption all operators use the same model.
The slot itself is generally considered to be a high-volatility slot. This is reflected by how the payouts are structured throughout the game. Most of the payouts in the game will be generated by wins from link & win, fixed jackpots, giant symbols, and free spins; these types of payouts are not evenly distributed. The hit frequency for Bison Moon is reportedly 30.33%. However, you should keep in mind that hit frequency has nothing to do with return to player. Hit frequency refers to the number of times you can expect to hit on a winning combination over a huge number of spins. Therefore, even though you may be able to hit a winning combination about once every third spin, that winning combination could potentially return less than your initial bet. Therefore, volatility is related to how the payouts in the game are distributed. A low volatility game may generate many wins with payouts close to your average, while a high volatility game generates fewer wins with larger payouts. The nature of Bison Moon's volatility is therefore not directly comparable to a game with high volatility and frequent wins.
We were told earlier that Bison Moon has a maximum payout of 12,500 times your bet. Here are examples of how much you could win based on the bet size:
Bet size x Max payout
0.10 x 12,500 x $0.10 = $1,250
0.20 x 12,500 x $0.20 = $2,500
0.50 x 12,500 x $0.50 = $6,250
1.00 x 12,500 x $1.00 = $12,500
2.00 x 12,500 x $2.00 = $25,000
Note that each of these amounts is simply the product of multiplying the amount you bet per spin by the maximum win multiplier. These figures reflect the maximum possible win and are not estimates of how often you might experience those kinds of payouts. Additionally, there is a distinction between the maximum payout allowed by the game and the 5,000x Mega jackpot that can be won via the Link & Win feature.
No, Bison Moon is not commonly displayed as offering a Bonus Buy option. The game includes a "win booster," which increases your bet amount and exposes you to link & win symbols more frequently than the base game.
As mentioned above, when you choose to turn on the Win Booster, you are essentially increasing your bet amount so that you can better expose yourself to additional link & win symbols in addition to increasing your chances of entering into Free Spins. Unlike a Bonus Buy option, however, turning on the Win Booster does not automatically enter you into either Link & Win or Free Spins. Rather, you still need to reach one of those features normally as described previously.
Bison Moon is an excellent choice for Mobile devices due to its relatively small 5x3 format and ability to run in modern web browsers. Assuming your chosen casino offers Mobile support, you will never need to download a separate app or software package to play Bison Moon on your smartphone or tablet. Additionally, since both the Sticky Moon symbols used in link & win and the giant central symbol used in Free Spins will occupy a significant area of screen space regardless of whether you're playing on a desktop computer or a mobile device, they are easily identifiable on smaller screens.
Many online casinos offer demos of slot machines, including Bison Moon so that you can try out the various ways to win prior to betting real money. Of course, whether or not an online casino offers Bison Moon demo mode is completely up to them.
Bison Moon link & win is definitely unique compared to many other buffalo and wildlife slots currently available today. One of its greatest strengths is how well its individual bonus mechanics tie together. The fact that giant symbols can activate link & win from inside Free Spins adds an extra layer of excitement and interest compared to many similar games. Another benefit of Bison Moon is its relatively straightforward fixed jackpot structure and substantial 12,500x max payout potential (well above the 5,000x Mega jackpot). Both a standard RTP near 96.08% and the reported bump up to 96.33% using the Win Booster provide further positive characteristics.
On the flip side, there are certainly downsides to playing Bison Moon as well. High volatility will clearly not be beneficial for many players who seek more regular, consistent results rather than infrequent larger rewards. Furthermore, although increasing your bet size can obviously improve your overall expected return relative to the base game, doing so will significantly raise the cost per spin of using the Win Booster. Finally, while purchasing immediate access to either Free Spins or link & win via a traditional Bonus Buy may be desirable for some players, it will unfortunately remain unavailable in Bison Moon.
While Bison Moon does little to reinvent the wheel when it comes to its wildlife slot theme with bison, wolves, bears, eagles, and a dramatic prairie background, it successfully ties together its own special symbols to create a cohesive link between its bonus features. Red Moons will activate link & win when six or more Red Moons land on-screen. Once activated during normal play, Link & Win will then award sticky symbols and give players three resetting respins during which time they can continue to earn cash values and four fixed jackpots. Blue Moon Scatter symbols will award 10 Free Spins when three land on-screen during normal gameplay. During Free Spins, giant symbols will appear randomly across the middle three reels of the five-reel grid.
Once again, when giant scatters appear during Free Spins, they can trigger an additional 10 Free Spins, and giant link & win symbols appearing during Free Spins can represent nine qualifying Red Moons needed to initiate a respin. This interconnectivity creates a nice flow to the feature structure. Statistically speaking, 96.08% RTP, 30.33% hit frequency, and high volatility describe a slot where big hits really count. The 12,500x max payout presents plenty of upside potential, and players who wish to experience Bison Moon in a slightly different manner have the option to use the Win Booster. Based on its mechanical diversity alone, Bison Moon offers enough for players who enjoy buffalo and wildlife slots to feel like they are getting something a bit different from just another iteration of buffalo slots.
Bison Moon link & win is a 5x3 wildlife-themed video slot created by Northern Lights Gaming. It utilizes 25 pay lines and links Free Spins with giant symbols and sticky respins along with link & win.
Bison Moon's RTP is typically listed as 96.08%. When utilizing the Win Booster feature, it has been listed at 96.33%. As with any slot game, there may be variations depending upon which casino you are playing at.
Yes, Bison Moon is classified as having high volatility. High volatility indicates that payouts will not be dispersed evenly throughout a gaming session; instead, they will be heavily weighted towards fewer wins but larger payouts.
Six or more Red Moons are required to trigger link & win.
After triggering the link & win players receive three respins. Any new qualifying Red Moons will freeze in place and reset the respin counter back down to three. If no new qualifying Red Moons appear after three respins in succession, link & win will end.
Although there have been varying reports regarding fixed jackpots in Bison Moon, according to Northern Lights Gaming, the minimum values are as follows: Mini – 50x; Minor – 150x; Major – 750x; Mega – 5,000x.
Three Blue Moon Scatter symbols will trigger Free Spins equaling ten spins. Throughout the duration of Free Spins, a giant central symbol will randomly appear across all three center reels of the five-reel layout.
Yes, when a giant link & win symbol appears during Free Spins, it counts toward fulfilling nine qualifying Red Moons, thereby allowing link & win to commence immediately.
According to Northern Lights Gaming and other reliable sources, the largest possible payout for Bison Moon is 12,500 times your bet. Keep in mind that this is distinct from the 5,000x Mega jackpot which can be awarded through link & win.
No; while many modern slot titles include options for Bonus Buy or enhanced Bonus Buy options for players wishing to instantly gain access to certain aspects of their games such as Free Spins or bonuses etc., Northern Lights Gaming chose not to incorporate such an element into Bison Moon.
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