Respins Respins
A feature that spins the reels again after a spin ends, with no additional bet. Usually some symbols or reels stay locked and only the rest spin, giving you a chance to build on the previous result.
| English | Respins |
|---|---|
| Classification | Game Features |
| Also known as | Respins, re-spin, spin again |
| Extra bet | None |
| Trigger | Wild, win, near-miss, special symbol, money symbol collection |
| Locking method | Some symbols or reels locked, only the rest spin |
| Related features | Hold & Spin, free spins |
Overview
Respins are a feature that spins the reels again, one or more times, after a spin ends, without an additional bet. Usually some symbols or reels stay locked in place and only the rest spin again, so you get a chance to build on the previous spin’s result and make a bigger win.
A short definition of respins is in the bonus features roundup, and respins that collect money symbols are covered under Hold & Spin. This article groups respins by “what triggers them” and sorts them with real game examples.
Respins vs. free spins
| Category | Respins | Free spins |
|---|---|---|
| Number of spins | Short, from 1 spin to a few | Usually several to dozens of spins |
| Trigger | Varies by game: wilds, wins, a certain number of specific symbols, and more | Mostly 3 to 4 or more scatters |
| Screen state | Continues with some symbols from the previous spin locked in place | Often starts on a fresh board |
| Extra bet | None | None |
Both are spins you get for free, but a respin is closer to “one more go using the result you just got,” while free spins are closer to “a separate bonus round.”
Types of respins by trigger
| Type | Trigger | Example games (based on official descriptions) |
|---|---|---|
| Wild-triggered | When a specific wild lands | Starburst: an expanding wild fills the reel and triggers a respin |
| Win-triggered | Continues after a win | Respin Circus: a payline win with 3 or more matching symbols triggers a respin, and the winning symbols stay locked Colossal Gems: a respin after every win, with a larger guaranteed gem each round |
| Near-miss correction | A screen that almost won | Fire Joker: if two reels show the same stack but there is no win, only the third reel spins once more |
| Expanding symbol | When a special symbol fills the reel | John Hunter and the Book of Tut Respin: respins repeat until the selected symbol stops appearing |
| Collect-type | A certain number of money symbols or more | Wolf Gold: 6 or more money symbols award 3 respins, and the count resets to 3 each time a new money symbol lands |
How respins keep going
Most respins follow the rule “keep going while the condition is met, end when it isn’t.” A common version is the one in Wolf Gold, where the remaining count returns to its starting value whenever a new symbol lands. Another version, like Respin Circus, continues whenever a symbol that expands the locked block appears.
In Wolf Gold, when the Money Respins end, all the money symbol values on screen are paid, and filling all 15 positions also awards the 1,000x Mega Jackpot. In Colossal Gems, 3 respin wins in a row lead to 6 free games. Many games use respins as a bridge to another bonus like this.
Good to know
Respins happen without an extra bet, but they are less a free bonus than a feature already factored into the game’s RTP. In games where respins trigger often, base spin wins may be designed to be lower to match. Even among respins, the volatility you feel can differ a lot depending on how much gets locked and what the repeat condition is, so it’s best to check the rules on the game info screen first.
