How to Play Buffalo Gold Slot Machine
Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
Read time: 14 minutes
The Buffalo Gold slot machine is one of the most recognizable and widely played games around. Known for its hugely-rewarding bonuses, it’s a fan favorite for good reason. But if you’re new to playing slots, figuring out how to play Buffalo Gold slot machine for beginners can feel overwhelming at first.Don’t worry. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know on how to play the Buffalo Gold slot, how the game works and how you can increase your chances of having a good time.
Getting Started with Gameplay
To understand how to play the Buffalo Gold slot, begin with the layout. It features five reels and four rows with 1,024 ways to win. This simply means there are no traditional paylines, rather you have winning combinations from landing matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right.
Here’s how you can start:
Pick your bet amount: You can adjust how much you want to wager per spin. Most casinos let you start as low as $0.60 per spin and go higher depending on how you want it.
Hit the spin button: That’s it! Once you set your bet, click the spin button and the reels will roll.
Look out for wins: Wins are determined by combinations of symbols, with higher payouts for more valuable icons like the Buffalo.
Buffalo Gold includes classic wildlife symbols—Buffalo, Eagle, Cougar, Elk and playing card symbols (9 to Ace). The Buffalo is the highest paying, so seeing a stampede across your screen usually means something good is going on.
Important Symbols and Functions
Wild Symbol: Represented by a sunset. It replaces all elements except bonus and coin symbols.
Scatter: The gold coin. Landing 3 or more activates the bonus round.
Gold Heads: These are collected during free spins and can lead to big upgrades.
Quick Gameplay Tips for Beginners
- Begin with smaller bets to get familiar with the gameplay.
- Know that every spin is powered by a random number generator, so outcomes are never predictable.
- Look at the RTP percentage. Buffalo Gold has an average return to player of around 94.85%, meaning it is more about fun than consistent wins.
- Always play within your budget.
Understanding these basics is the first step to winning big, but you will need to gain confidence first. However, it is the special features and bonus rounds that really make Buffalo Gold so fun and potentially very rewarding.
Special Features and Bonus Rounds
The heart of Buffalo Gold is in its free spins feature and the Gold Head Collection, which is where things can get very exciting.
How the Bonus Round Works
When you land three or more coin symbols, you trigger the Free Spins
Bonus:
- 3 coins = 8 free spins
- 4 coins = 15 free spins
- 5 coins = 20 free spins
During the bonus, every time a Gold Head lands, it can be collected. For every four Gold Heads you collect, an animal symbol (Cougar, Elk, Eagle) is then converted into Buffalo, hence increasing the chances of hitting huge wins.
There is more:
- Wild Multipliers: If a Wild appears during free spins, it multiplies the win by 2x or 3x.
- Retriggers: Try to get more coins during the bonus to re-trigger additional free spins, up to 100 in some lucky runs.
- Progressive jackpots: In certain varieties of the game, the bonus round also includes a chance to win progressive jackpots, making it even more rewarding and exciting.
Playing Online vs. Land-Based Casinos
You will be able to find Buffalo Gold in both online casinos and land-based casinos, but there are a few key differences to consider when deciding how to play the Buffalo Gold slot depending on your platform chosen.
Land-Based Version
- Classic cabinet with physical buttons and a touchscreen interface.
- You’ll often find loud sound effects and immersive visuals.
- Typically found in minimum denominations.
- Some offer progressive jackpots linked to multiple machines.
Online Version
- Can be easily accessed through most online slot platforms with real-money play.
- Also offers autoplay and adjustable speed for quicker sessions.
- You may find slightly higher RTP percentages online. Some versions can up to 96% RTP, especially on licensed platforms.
- Bonus features are usually similar or improved, depending on the developer. Aristocrat is a well-known provider and are noted for always improving their slots.
Which Should You Pick?
Online play is great for comfort and sometimes even offers better payout rates. You also get access to slots strategy guides, player forums and demo options to test the game first.
Land-based casinos, however, can give a more social and immersive experience. The flashing lights, physical buttons and vibe of a busy gaming floor can’t be matched by an app.
If you are starting out, consider trying both. Many players enjoy starting online to learn the mechanics before stepping into a casino with real money.
Casinos Where You Can Try Buffalo Gold Slot
Conclusion
Now that you know how to play Buffalo Gold slot machine, you are much better prepared to enjoy everything this game offers. It is not just about spinning and hoping for the best. When you understand the symbols, bonus mechanics and how to play smarter, especially how to play Buffalo gold slot machine for beginners you will be able to increase your fun-filled experience and potentially your boost winnings too.
Here are some final tips to increase your chances:
- Watch out for versions with high RTP or adjustable volatility.
- Practice playing slots in demo mode before putting in your real money
Manage your bankroll—every spin counts, but it shouldn’t be too expensive. - Don’t rely on the hot machine myth. Slot machines use number generators to determine every outcome.
The way you play matters just as much as what you play. So stay relaxed while playing, and we believe this article should make you a better player with more confidence.
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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