10 Flaming Bisons

Push Gaming ventures back into the familiar territory of scatter-driven instant prize slots with their latest creation, 10 Flaming Bisons. While echoing the success of titles like 9 Masks of Fire and Push Gaming's own 10 Swords, this release carves its own path with a unique blend of features, including grid-expanding “Push-Up” bets, a progressive free spins round, and the thrilling addition of jackpot scatter symbols capable of delivering wins up to 5,000x your stake. Set against the backdrop of a sprawling, arid plain, the game subtly incorporates Native American aesthetics, creating a distinct atmosphere that complements the primal energy of the bison.

Core Gameplay: Symbols, Paylines, and the Bison's Roar

10 Flaming Bisons operates on a 5-reel, 3-row layout, initially offering 20 paylines. However, the grid can dynamically expand up to 7 rows during free spins, consequently boosting the paylines to 60. The game accommodates a betting range from 0.10 to 100 credits, with the option to activate one of two Push-Up ante bets. These bets elevate the reel configuration to either 5×4 (at 2.5x the base bet) or 5×5 (at 5x the base bet), ensuring any triggered free spins begin with the corresponding number of rows unlocked. Mathematically, the slot sits at a medium volatility, accompanied by a tiered RTP structure, with a maximum of 96.26%.

Lower-paying symbols manifest as stylized J-A card ranks, while the mid-tier consists of thematic icons: a necklace, a pipe, and an axe. High-paying symbols are represented by three character icons, granting rewards of 20-30x the bet for a five-of-a-kind combination. The Dreamcatcher symbol serves as the wild, substituting for all paying symbols and mirroring the highest-paying symbol's value in its own winning combinations. Crucially, the Bison symbol and its jackpot variant are the heart of the gameplay, triggering instant prizes and forming the core of the slot's win potential.

Bonus Features: Unleashing the Power of the Bison

The bonus features in 10 Flaming Bisons revolve around the central mechanic of collecting Bison symbols to trigger instant cash prizes and jackpots, all complemented by a progressive free spins round that escalates the action.

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Bison Symbol Payouts

The regular Bison symbol is the key to unlocking instant prizes in both the base game and free spins. Landing four or more of these symbols anywhere on the active reels guarantees a payout, with the prize scaling according to the number of Bison symbols in view. The payout structure is as follows:

• 4 Bison Symbols: 2x the bet
• 5 Bison Symbols: 5x the bet
• 6 Bison Symbols: 10x the bet
• 7 Bison Symbols: 25x the bet
• 8 Bison Symbols: 100x the bet
• 9 Bison Symbols: 500x the bet
• 10 Bison Symbols: 1,000x the bet

This escalating payout system provides an immediate incentive for accumulating Bison symbols, injecting each spin with the potential for substantial instant wins. This payout structure makes every Bison symbol landing on the reels exciting. It's a straightforward but highly effective mechanic that caters perfectly to the experienced player who appreciates direct and rewarding gameplay.

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Jackpot Bison Symbols: A Stampede of Prizes

Adding another layer of excitement are the Jackpot Bison symbols, which also appear in both the base game and free spins. These symbols represent four distinct jackpot levels:

• Mini Jackpot Bison: 15x the bet
• Minor Jackpot Bison: 50x the bet
• Major Jackpot Bison: 500x the bet
• Mega Jackpot Bison: 5,000x the bet

Landing any Jackpot Bison symbol alongside three or more regular Bison symbols triggers the corresponding jackpot prize, in addition to any standard Bison symbol instant win. Critically, the Jackpot Bison symbols also contribute towards the standard Bison symbol instant win count. For example, landing two regular Bison symbols, a Mini Jackpot Bison, and a Major Jackpot Bison symbol would result in both the 15x and 500x jackpot prizes being awarded plus the payout for 4 standard Bison symbols, as the Jackpot Bisons count in this calculation. This interaction between standard and jackpot Bison symbols adds a surprising level of strategic depth, as players will naturally be hoping for the biggest possible combination of both. The relatively high frequency of lower value Bison symbol hits compared to the more rare Jackpot Bisons gives the experienced player valuable clues to help inform betting strategy. The inclusion of this jackpot feature offers an entirely different dynamic to the standard gameplay. Players now have their eye on something more than just simply trying to get to free spins. The prospect of an instant jackpot can add significant excitement to every spin.

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Progressive Free Spins: Expanding the Plains

The free spins round in 10 Flaming Bisons is triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 Totem scatter symbols, awarding 8, 10, or 12 free spins, respectively. During the free spins, each Totem symbol that lands fills a Locked Row meter. Each meter requires the collection of 4 Totem symbols to unlock a new row on the reels, up to a maximum of 7 rows:

• First unlocked row: +3 free spins and a 5×4 grid with 40 paylines
• Second unlocked row: +2 free spins and a 5×5 grid with 50 paylines
• Third unlocked row: +2 free spins and a 5×6 grid with 60 paylines
• Fourth unlocked row: +1 free spin and a 5×7 grid with 60 paylines.

Any rows unlocked in free spins persist for the duration of the bonus round. The extra free spins awarded for unlocking rows are modest but they prevent dead spins from the relatively rare appearance of the totem symbols from feeling punishing, which would otherwise detract from the player experience. Instead it is integrated smoothly and logically, providing a meaningful sense of progression to free spins that other similar slots lack. Notably, players also have the option to purchase the free spins round for 75x the total bet, immediately catapulting them into the potentially high-payout bonus action. This “Buy Free Spins” option is strategically useful when you observe that several totems have landed on the reels, even if not enough to trigger the free spins round, increasing the chances of immediate row unlocks upon entering the bonus round.

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Verdict: A Solid Scatter-Pays Offering with a Bison-Sized Twist

10 Flaming Bisons, while not a groundbreaking title for Push Gaming, presents itself as a well-executed and engaging scatter-pays slot that will appeal to experienced slot enthusiasts. The game excels in its visual presentation, offering a polished aesthetic and a fitting soundtrack that effectively evokes the Native American theme, even if that theming itself is well-trodden ground. Bison may be a common theme in slots, but the game's strong visual presentation means this doesn't detract from the gameplay.

The core gameplay is smooth and easy to grasp and provides a satisfying level of tension and the potential for quick wins with every appearance of the bison symbols. The medium volatility rating means that you should not be faced with lengthy losing streaks. The game’s main strength is the clever implementation of Push-Up bets, progressive free spins, and especially the integration of jackpot scatter symbols within the existing instant prize structure. These features are carefully woven together, providing layers of depth to what could otherwise have been a simple scatter prize hunt. The “Buy Free Spins” feature adds another tactical dimension for experienced players who understand the probabilities involved and seek higher potential returns.

While the relatively low maximum payout of 5,602x the bet might deter players seeking life-changing wins, it's important to note that the game's medium volatility makes smaller yet regular significant hits more likely. For those accustomed to the volatility of Push Gaming's more extreme titles like Razor Shark or Mad Cars, 10 Flaming Bisons offers a less chaotic and more controlled experience. It will satisfy those seeking a refined and well-balanced scatter-prize slot with several smart design choices that elevate the genre and make the game worth a closer look.