What is the highest-paying symbol in Starburst?
Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
Read time: 6 minutes
Starburst stands as one of the most recognized slot games across global casino platforms. NetEnt’s space-themed creation delivers consistent payouts through its straightforward symbol mechanics. The golden bar symbol emerges as the highest-paying standard icon in this 2012 release. Understanding symbol values helps players optimize their betting strategies effectively. The game operates on a 96.08% RTP with low to medium volatility, making it accessible for various player profiles. Maximum wins reach 800 times your stake, showcasing substantial earning potential. The expanding wild mechanic amplifies winning combinations significantly during gameplay.
Starburst Slot Symbols List Overview
The game features a streamlined collection of symbols positioned across five reels and three rows. Each icon serves specific functions within the payout structure. The gem symbols form the low-paying category, ranging from blue to red variants. Middle-tier symbols include the lucky seven, which provides moderate returns. The bar symbol occupies the premium position in the standard lineup. Additionally, the colorful jewel-studded star functions as the expanding wild element. This wild substitutes for all paying symbols except itself.
Players encounter these symbols consistently across the 10 paylines available in Starburst. The win-both-ways feature doubles chances for successful combinations by paying left-to-right and right-to-left simultaneously. This mechanic differentiates Starburst from traditional left-only paying slots. Understanding the complete symbol hierarchy remains essential for effective bankroll management.
| Symbol Type | Payout Level | Function |
| Colored Gems | Low | Regular symbols |
| Lucky Seven | Medium | Mid-tier symbol |
| Golden Bar | High | Premium symbol |
| Starburst Star | Wild | Expands and triggers respins |
Highest-Paying Starburst Symbol The Bar
The golden bar represents the premium standard symbol in Starburst’s lineup. This icon delivers the strongest payouts among non-wild symbols throughout the game. Landing five bars across a single payline generates substantial winnings relative to your stake size. The bar symbol appears on all five reels, creating multiple winning opportunities during extended gameplay sessions. Its high-value status makes it the target for strategic players seeking maximum returns from standard combinations.
When five bars align on a payline, players receive approximately 5 times their total bet amount. This payout structure maintains consistency across different coin values and bet levels available in the game. The bar’s frequency balances with its value — it appears less often than gem symbols but more regularly than would be expected for such a high-paying icon. This equilibrium ensures sustained engagement without excessive drought periods between wins.
Combining bar symbols with the expanding wild mechanism creates the most lucrative scenarios possible. When a starburst wild expands to cover an entire reel, it frequently completes bar combinations across multiple paylines simultaneously. This feature interaction produces winning clusters that exceed individual payline values. The strategic placement of bars across the middle reels heightens their importance during gameplay.
Professional players frequently monitor bar appearance patterns during extended sessions. The symbol’s prevalence on middle reels (positions 2, 3, and 4) increases chances of wild interaction. Understanding these positional mechanics helps players identify optimal betting moments.
Complete Starburst Symbol Payouts
Each symbol in Starburst carries specific monetary values that determine overall return percentages. The payout structure reflects industry-standard practices for five-reel slots. Lower-value symbols — the colored gems — deliver returns when three, four, or five of them land consecutively. Blue gems typically pay around 0.2 to 0.5 times the bet, while red gems provide marginally better returns at 0.3 to 0.6 times the stake.
The lucky seven symbol occupies middle-tier positions with payouts ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 times your wagered amount. Five sevens across a payline reward players with approximately 1.5 times their total bet — a respectable return that encourages continued play. This symbol appears with moderate frequency, providing regular winning combinations without excessive clustering.
The golden bar symbol dominates the payout hierarchy. Five bars deliver approximately 5 times the player’s current bet. Four bars return around 2.5 times the stake, while three bars provide 1 times the wager. This scaled payout structure encourages players to pursue higher-value combinations rather than settling for partial matches.
| Symbol | 5 of a kind | 4 of a kind | 3 of a kind |
| Blue Gem | 0.5x | 0.2x | 0.1x |
| Red Gem | 0.6x | 0.3x | 0.15x |
| Lucky Seven | 1.5x | 0.8x | 0.5x |
| Golden Bar | 5x | 2.5x | 1x |
The starburst star wild symbol triggers respins rather than fixed payouts. When wilds land, they expand to cover complete reels and activate automatic respins. Consecutive wild respins can continue up to three times maximum. Each respin provides fresh symbol arrangements — creating entirely new winning combinations. This mechanic produces some of the highest individual spin returns possible in the game.
Combining symbols across multiple paylines multiplies your total win. The win-both-ways feature ensures that matching symbols pay from both directions simultaneously. A single five-bar combination from left-to-right and matching from right-to-left doubles your base payout instantly. This mechanic transforms symbol arrangement importance dramatically compared to traditional slots.
- Gem symbols deliver consistent low-value wins (0.1x to 0.6x bets)
- Lucky sevens provide mid-range payouts (0.5x to 1.5x bets)
- Bar symbols offer maximum standard returns (1x to 5x bets)
- Wild stars generate respin features with exponential win potential
- Win-both-ways mechanic doubles payline completion rewards
Tips for High-Paying Symbol Wins
Pursuing high-paying bar symbols requires understanding their appearance frequency and strategic bet sizing. Players should maintain consistent wager amounts to capitalize when bars land. Betting minimum amounts during standard play, then increasing stakes when bar-heavy reels appear, optimizes capital efficiency. This variance strategy balances risk across extended gaming sessions effectively.
The expanding wild mechanic presents the highest-value opportunities in Starburst. Triggering respins dramatically increases winning potential compared to regular spins. During respins, multiple paylines often complete simultaneously due to wild expansion across entire reels. Monitoring respin frequency during gameplay reveals patterns that inform future betting decisions. Players experiencing frequent respins should maintain elevated stakes to maximize rewards.
Win-both-ways payline mechanics reward careful attention to symbol positioning. Players should track which reels display matching symbols early during spins. When bars or sevens appear in consecutive positions, the likelihood of both-directions completion increases significantly. This visual analysis helps predict winning outcomes before final reel positions lock.
Bankroll management directly impacts long-term success with high-paying symbols. Allocating larger portions of capital toward bar pursuit phases extends gameplay opportunities. The 96.08% RTP ensures mathematical advantage eventually favors consistent, patient players. Setting win targets and loss limits prevents emotional decision-making that undermines strategic symbol-chasing efforts.
- Adjust bet sizes strategically based on current reels and symbol distribution
- Maximize respin sequences by sustaining elevated wager amounts throughout
- Monitor bar symbol clustering patterns across extended sessions
- Utilize win-both-ways features by tracking early-spin symbol placements
- Maintain disciplined bankroll allocation to extend high-paying symbol pursuits
Understanding the relationship between volatility and symbol appearance helps refine gameplay tactics. Starburst’s low-to-medium volatility classification means regular smaller wins intersperse with occasional substantial payouts. Expecting this pattern prevents frustration during dry spells. Extended sessions statistically deliver bar symbol completions and wild triggers that reward patient, systematic play approaches.