Free spins: spin value and max bet

Two short phrases in the terms decide what a bundle of free spins is really worth. Here's how to read them.

Spin value: the stake on each free spin

When the terms say "Spin Value: £0.10", every free spin is played as if you'd bet 10p. It's the same size of bet you could choose yourself on that slot, so wins come out at the same size a 10p spin would give.

Multiply the number of spins by the spin value and you get the face value of the bundle. It's a useful way to compare offers that look very different at first glance.

So 200 spins at 10p is £20 of play, and 50 spins at 10p is £5. That doesn't tell you what they'll win (nobody can), but it does tell you how much spinning you're actually getting.

Max bet: the ceiling while you're wagering

Once spins have been played, their winnings usually need wagering before you can withdraw them. While that's going on, there's a limit on how much you can stake per spin or hand.

The three Skill On Net brands on our list use the same wording: max bet is 10% of the free spin winnings and bonus amount, with a minimum of £0.10, or £5, whichever is lower.

Here's what that means for you, in three quick cases

• Spins win £4. 10% is 40p, so your max bet is £0.40.
• Spins win 60p. 10% would be 6p, but the minimum is £0.10, so you can still bet 10p.
• £50 bonus plus £8 of spin winnings. 10% of £58 is £5.80. The £5 ceiling kicks in, so £5 is the most per spin.

Why the rule exists: without it, someone could stake the whole bonus on one spin and try to shortcut the playthrough. Going over the limit can lead to the bonus and its winnings being removed, so if you're unsure, bet small.

The ProgressPlay brands (Vegas Mobile Casino and The Online Casino) don't state a max bet in the significant terms we captured. Check their full bonus policy before you start, and look at their conversion caps instead; those matter more there.

Things that surprise people about free spins

• They're tied to one game, sometimes two. You can't move them to a slot you like better.
• They may have to be used before your own deposit. The Skill On Net terms say spins must be used before deposited funds.
• Winnings can expire. At Vegas Mobile Casino and The Online Casino, spin winnings must be wagered within 7 days.
• "Free" refers to the stake, not the outcome. Because slots have a built-in house edge, spins pay back a little less than their face value on average, and a bundle can pay nothing at all.

Got a spin win and want to know the playthrough? The calculator does it, including the max bet.