Slingo is bingo and slots sharing a dance floor, and frankly they've never looked better together. You spin the reels, dab the numbers on your grid and climb the prize ladder, one step at a time.
Then, when your standard spins run out, the game offers you a little encore. That encore comes in two forms: free spins and extra spins. They sound like twins, but they're more like cousins who get on well and have very different personalities.
One is a welcome surprise that costs nothing extra to use. The other is an optional purchase with the price right there on the spin button. Knowing which is which makes the game clearer and helps you stay in charge.
So if you'd like to play Slingo online with your eyes wide open and jazz hands at the ready, read on.
What are free spins in online Slingo?
In most online Slingo games, free spins come from special symbols that can land on the reels during a round. Spot a Free Spin symbol and you bank an extra spin to play once your standard spins are done. Some games can award more than one, depending on what lands and which features you trigger along the way.
These Slingo free spins cost nothing extra to use. You don't press a button to buy them and nothing more is taken from your balance when you play them. They simply slot in at the end of your round, like a guest who arrives fashionably late and immediately livens up the party.
A quick word on the word "free". These free Slingo spins are triggered during a round you've already started, so the spin itself costs nothing extra but the game around it isn't a giveaway. We like to be upfront about that.
Separately, Jackpotjoy may occasionally offer promotional free spins on selected games. Those come with their own terms, such as which games they apply to and how long they last, so always read the promotion's terms and conditions before you begin. They're a different beast from the in-game symbol described here.
Here's the lowdown on in-game free spins:
They appear through gameplay, so you can't really plan for them or make them happen
They're usually played after your standard spins have finished.
Using them costs nothing extra.
What are extra spins in online Slingo?
Extra spins are the optional add-on.
Once your standard spins have been played, many online Slingo games offer you the chance to buy more spins and carry on with your round. The price is shown on the spin button, so you can see exactly what you'd be spending before you decide. It can differ between games and may change as a round develops, so give it a glance each time.
Think of extra spins as the game leaning over and asking, "Shall we go again?" Of course, "No, thank you, that was lovely" is a perfectly acceptable response. Finishing a round without buying extras is a completely valid way to play, and often a very sensible one.
Key points about extra spins:
They're entirely optional.
They cost real money, clearly shown before you commit.
They continue your current round rather than starting a fresh one.
Buying extra spins doesn't change how the game works behind the scenes. If you're curious about the odds, our guide to What Are Your Chances of Winning Slingo? explains it in plain English.
How are free spins and extra spins alike?
For spins with such different backstories, they sure share a surprising amount of DNA.
They both extend your round
You get additional spins after your standard set has finished, which means a little more time with your grid and a few more chances to dab numbers and build lines.
They both play out the same way
A free spin and an extra spin look identical on the reels. The same numbers, Jokers, Super Jokers and other symbols can land on either.
They're both random
Neither type makes a win more likely and neither gives you an edge. The reels have no idea whether a spin was earned or bought, and there's no secret trick to timing them.
They both climb the same prize ladder
Any Slingos completed with either type count towards the same prizes as lines completed during your standard spins.
They both depend on the game
Rules vary between online Slingo games, including how many standard spins you get and how extra spins are offered. It's always worth reading the game's rules before you play Slingo online, particularly if you're trying a new title.
How are free spins and extra spins different?
Here's where the drum roll belongs. The headline difference is simple: one costs nothing extra and the other costs money. Free when they land, extra by command. But there's a bit more to it than that.
Cost
Free spins cost nothing to use. Extra spins have a price, displayed on the spin button every time.
Choice
You don't choose to receive free spins, because they land when the symbols do. Extra spins are your decision, and you can always say no.
Predictability
Because free spins turn up randomly, some rounds won't include any. Extra spins are offered whenever the game provides them, which makes them more predictable and also means they deserve a little more thought.
Where they come from
Free spins are earned through gameplay. Extra spins are bought with your balance.
Fancy seeing both in action? Pop onto Slingo Rainbow Riches and keep an eye out for Free Spin symbols as you play.
When your standard spins end, you'll see how the extra spin option appears on the button. If you're new to the format, our How to Play Slingo Online: Tips & Tricks guide covers the basics.
Slingo free spins: how they sparkle and what’s good to know
The sparkle
No added cost. Playing a free spin doesn't take anything more from your balance.
No decisions required. You simply play them, so there's no purchase to think about.
More time with the grid. They stretch out a round and give you extra moments to dab numbers and use any Jokers you're holding.
A little moment of joy. Watching a Free Spin symbol land is a tiny celebration in the middle of a round.
Good to know
You can't count on them. They're random, so some rounds won't have any, and that's perfectly normal.
They don't tilt the odds. A free spin is still just a spin and doesn't make a line more likely to complete.
Slingo extra spins: how they sparkle and what’s good to know
The sparkle
You're in control. You choose whether to buy, how many to buy and when to stop.
The price is upfront. The cost sits on the button, so there are no surprises.
Your round can carry on. If you're enjoying a particular game, extras let you see it through a little longer.
Good to know
They cost real money each time. Small amounts add up when you buy several in a row.
They don't improve your chances. Every spin is random, so buying more doesn't make a win more likely.
The price can vary. It may differ between games or as a round develops, so check before each one.
They can stretch a session. Setting a budget beforehand can help you avoid tapping "one more".
Peek at the price, then play nice. Our Best Slingo Strategies guide looks at how to approach a round sensibly.
Sensible spins, splendid sessions: smart habits for extra spins
Eyes down, limits set. Extra spins are a fun option when used with a cool head, and these habits help keep yours firmly on.
Decide your spend and your approach before you start
Before you play Slingo online, pick an amount you're comfortable spending on the whole session, and only use money you can comfortably spare. Set a limit in your account to help you stick to it. If your plan has room for extra spins, wonderful. If it doesn't, you already have your answer.
Settle on your approach ahead of time, too. You might decide to buy extras only up to a certain amount per session, or never at all. A clear rule means the moment doesn't get to decide for you.
Remember that each spin is independent
A near-miss isn't a sign that the next spin will finish the line, and a round that hasn't gone your way isn't a reason to buy more. Every spin is random and starts from scratch.
Keep it as entertainment
Slingo is there to be enjoyed, and nothing about extra spins changes that. It isn't a way to make money.
Use your reminders and breaks
Reality checks help you keep track of how long you've been playing. If a round has gone on longer than planned, it's dabbers down, cuppa up. The grid can wait.
Know when to take a bow
Finishing a round without buying extras isn't missing out. It's a perfectly good way to end things, and plenty of great games finish exactly like that.
Use the tools available
Jackpotjoy offers tools such as financial limits, account time-outs and self-exclusion to help you stay in control. If gambling ever stops feeling fun, it's always okay to take a break or ask for support.
Setting these habits up takes a couple of minutes and makes every online Slingo game easier to enjoy.
Quick-fire Slingo free spins and extra spins questions
Do I have to buy extra spins?
Not at all. They're optional and you can end any round without them.
Do extra spins make winning more likely?
No. Each spin is random, whether it's standard, free or bought.
Do free spins and extra spins work differently on the reels?
No. They look and behave the same. Only the way you get them differs.
How does Slingo work?
It's bingo and slots combined, featuring a 5x5 grid of numbers and a row of reels underneath. Hit spin, and any number that lands and matches your grid is marked off. Mark five in a line and you make a Slingo, which takes you up the prize ladder.
Curious to see how it all fits together? Play Slingo online at Jackpotjoy today and dab your way through our selection of games the way you like. Know your spins, set your limits and enjoy the show.
All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.
