Skill bonus rounds: How it works

1) The essence of skill bonus rounds

In skill-based slots, the bonus round is a special stage of the game, where the final win partially depends on the player's skill. Unlike classic machines, where bonuses are determined exclusively by RNG and played automatically, interactive tasks are introduced here, the result of which changes the amount of payment.

2) Activation of the bonus round

Through RNG: dropping certain characters or combinations in the main game.
Through the accumulation of progress: filling the scale, collecting special objects or meeting the conditions for the number of spins.
Through an event trigger: winning a mini-task or fulfilling a rare condition in the base game.

3) Bonus round structure

1. Starting parameters: number of attempts, time, multipliers or initial reserve of resources (shots, moves).
2. Interactive phase: The player performs activities that require reaction, accuracy, speed, memory, or strategy.
3. Result calculation: the system collects performance metrics (points, hits, successful actions).
4. Conversion - Totals are multiplied or credited to a fixed paytable.
5. Application of restrictions: cap payments, minimum guarantee (floor) and accounting for the general mathematics of the slot.

4) Skill assessment metrics

Accuracy: percentage of successful actions.
Speed: number of actions per unit time.
Response: average response time.
Strategy: optimal choice of actions or route.
Infallibility: Minimizing misses and penalties.

5) Impact on RTP

RTP\_ random: Fixed portion defined by random events.
RTP\_ skill: Variable part depending on the quality of performance in the rebate.
The growth range is usually 3-6% of the total RTP, but the upper limit is strictly limited by mathematics.

6) Balance and protection

Cap payments: limits the maximum return even with a perfect game.
Level playing field: Equal difficulty for all players in a particular session.
Anti-bot: randomization of patterns, verification of abnormal results, variable scenarios.

7) Examples of skill bonus formats

Shooting at targets: points are awarded for hits, misses reduce the result.
Racing: Running the course against the clock with bonuses for collecting objects.
Logical tasks: solving puzzles or memory problems in a limited time.
Choosing with risk: Making pick-or-risk decisions to increase the multiplier.

8) The bottom line

Skill bonus rounds are a key element of skill-based slots, allowing the player to influence the final payout using their own skills. They create an additional level of engagement and make the gameplay more interactive, while maintaining balance due to tight mathematical constraints and control of randomness in the activation of the bonus.