Play 88 Fortune Slot Game - Free Bonus & Spins

However, of late, its popularity has spread rapidly outside of Asia: 88 Fortunes has developed a huge following in the United States and has also found a dedicated following in Canada and the UK. Walk into nearly any major casino floor today and it is highly likely you will find a group of players gathered around a bank of 88 Fortunes slot machines, which speaks volumes regarding how effectively the developers have been able to take the game and successfully migrate it into other markets.

What makes the character icons unique to this slot machine

When I first played an 88 Fortunes machine in Macau, one of the first things that struck me was that nearly half of the icons were built around endearing little character-type icons. While it is not apparent why the designers chose to use these types of icons versus using more universal icons, there is no doubt that they contribute greatly to creating a unique sense of personality for the reels and help create a distinct visual identity for the game.

While players are unlikely to recall all the details of a session of this game, these character-type icons are typically one of the most memorable parts of each session. Given that a significant portion of branding in slot titles is based upon being able to differentiate themselves from all of the other look-a-like games on a busy casino floor, having a unique set of character-type icons is certainly beneficial for 88 Fortunes.

Playing 88 Fortunes for real money

If you choose to play 88 Fortunes for real money and enjoy doing a little research before you begin, you should know that there is one interesting aspect of 88 Fortunes - the size of the progressive jackpot pool varies wildly from machine to machine, and even from machine to machine in the same casino. If you can find a machine with a jackpot pool that is near full, you would be wise to consider playing it. Since even relatively small jackpots can lead to big payouts on this game due to how the mechanics operate, it is worth playing.

One of the funnier quirks about 88 Fortunes is that the odds of hitting a jackpot are better on machines with larger pools of funds. Therefore, as opposed to slot machines where the odds are virtually identical per spin regardless of how large the progressive jackpot pool is, players at 88 Fortunes can strategize to try to determine which machine offers them the best opportunity for success. Keep in mind that since this is a progressive-style slot machine, as with any progressive-style slot machine, you should establish a budget before starting to play. In fact, the temptation to continue chasing a large progressive jackpot can sometimes cause players to spend longer chasing that jackpot than they originally intended.

The Theme

As you would probably expect from a game centered around Chinese casinos, 88 Fortunes presents itself as thoroughly committed to an Asian-market style from the moment the reels load. All elements of the interface are designed with deep reds and gold accents and use imagery that will immediately resonate with players who have experienced any number of Asian-themed slot machines. Rather than presenting multiple disparate themes and styles throughout the game, the consistent presentation reinforces a clear fortune-and-prosperity Theme, which adds polish to an otherwise enjoyable experience.

The features

Visually, 88 Fortunes features clean-lined reels and a simple yet attractive pay table, and clearly defined winning combinations are easily referenced at a glance once you understand what you are looking for. In contrast to some slot machines, where flashing lights and animated graphics can quickly become overwhelming, 88 Fortunes' audio content is understatedly presented via background music reminiscent of wind chimes, without feeling too subtle. On winning combinations, a somewhat heavy-handed cymbal flourish will undoubtedly annoy some players on land-based versions, but it is a minor quibble in what is otherwise a balanced audio design that knows when to stop adding additional sounds.

Symbols

There are four primary categories of paying symbols in 88 Fortunes: Buddha figure, pagoda tower, Tortoise and boat. When players opt in for extra credits, each of these can appear as a gold version, which increases the payment amount significantly. There are several secondary symbols included in addition to these four characters, and provide an added layer of depth in creating interest in certain features in this game.

• Gong scatter symbol. The gong acts as both a scatter symbol and provides a reward when three or more gongs are landed. Notably important is that landing three or more gongs unlocks ten free spins. Landing three additional gongs during free spins will allow players to re-trigger an additional free spin round. Due to removing lower-valued card symbols from the reels during free spins rounds, these rounds offer great opportunities for landing multi-symbol wins and are responsible for producing large wins. four- and five-symbol wins along an active pay line are common occurrences during free spins rounds.
• Gold coin symbol. Gold coins appear randomly whether or not players have opted into the extra credit feature. Players are noticeably more likely to see gold coins at low stakes than at high stakes. Paying attention to how frequently gold coins appear during your session can be helpful in determining whether or not to increase stakes.
• Bird Sculpture symbol. The potential payout of bird sculptures can vary depending on whether or not players have opted into the extra credit feature. Without opting into extra credits, bird sculptures present themselves as mid-range paying symbols; however, when paired with gold credits bird sculptures present themselves as very desirable symbols.
• Boat symbol. Although boats are not considered to be one of the highest paying symbols in this game, they do add an element of excitement and adventure to the reels. As with birds and buddhas, boats earn their keep when paired with gold credits. Boats present themselves as particularly appealing when they are gold.
• Tortoise symbol. Despite being characterized by slow and steady progress, tortoises provide excellent value when they appear as gold credits - placing them as one of the top two paying symbols.
• Pagoda tower/dragon pagoda tower symbol. In terms of base payout value, this is technically the weakest symbol; although it can appear as gold credit and therefore provide considerable value.
• Card Symbols - j, q, k, a and 10. Like most modern slot machines featuring card suits as symbols, don’t anticipate these card-based symbols providing headline payouts. Five-of-the-same card suit appearing in-line will result in a paltry payout, but they do serve to pad your account between big wins.

Wild & free spin bonus round

88 Fortunes also includes an embedded permanent Wild symbol in an ornate framed design. The Wild symbol replaces all non-Wild symbols on the reels except for free spins (see below), but does not award any winnings by itself. Only located across reels 2 through 4 (center reels), it does replace all other symbols except for scatter symbols. Also functioning as a scatter symbol, when three or more gong symbols are landed (in addition to triggering ten free spins) it awards a win directly.

During free spins rounds, any three or more gongs landed award an additional ten free spins. By pulling all lower valued card suit symbols (j-ace-10-k-q) off the reels during free spins rounds, players are presented with a vastly improved ratio of higher-valued symbols (Buddha-pagoda-Tortoise-bird) resulting in opportunities for larger combinations during free spins rounds. Wins consisting of four or five consecutive symbols along an active pay line are quite common during free spins rounds.

Tips for getting more out of 88 Fortunes

Given that 88 Fortunes allows players to strategically optimize their play through varying their bets levels and comparing different machines on adjacent banks prior to initiating real-money play; it would be worthwhile to study each machine before investing your hard earned cash. Preferentially select machines with larger progressive jackpots when choosing between similar banks.

Establishing limits prior to commencing your session will also assist you in maintaining control while chasing larger progressive jackpots during free spins rounds. Alternately switching between sessions at minimum bets followed by several sessions at higher stakes (once you build up enough equity) can prove beneficial as well; however there is no guaranteed method for beating 88 Fortunes’ inherent probabilities.

Final verdict

Due to the nature of progressive jackpots (which tend to be higher than average), some players may wish for more bonuses and/or more flashy 3d graphics on reels. Additionally, high-stakes players may find that the min bet structure does not provide enough flexibility relative to games designed for high-stake play. Overall, however, 88 Fortunes represents one of the better options available in its class with regard to Theme, symbols and mechanics working together seamlessly instead of disjointedly. The popularity of 88 Fortunes has continued unabated since its launch and currently exists in locations outside of Macau including casinos in usa/UK/Canada.

FAQs:

What is 88 Fortunes?

88 Fortunes is an Asian-themed progressive slot machine featuring Gold-Coin symbols, Character-based icons (Buddha, Pagoda Tower, Tortoise, Boat), and a Free Spins Round with the Golden Gong Scatter. The game was first introduced in casinos in Macau and has since made its way across the globe, including to the U.S., Canada and the U.K.

What is the max bet on 88 Fortunes?

Max bet on 88 Fortunes is 880 Coins. This is also the basis for the game's name.

Will I hit the Jackpot betting min vs. Max Bet?

From reviewing the paytable, yes -- your chances of hitting the large jackpot are higher when playing at a Min Bet rather than at a Max Bet, which is a little backwards from most slot machines.

How do I get into the Free Spin Bonus Round?

You will receive 10 free spins if you land three or more Scatter Gong Symbols on the reels. If you land three additional Gong Symbols while in the Free Spin Bonus Round, you will retrigger the feature for 10 more free spins.

What is the "Fu Bat" feature that players seem to refer to?

Players feel there's approximately a one-in-four chance of getting into the bonus round after the Fu Bat Feature begins. That's why so many veteran players tend to chase the Fu Bat Feature whenever it shows up.

Can you tell me if the Jackpot varies per Machine?

Yes. Unlike traditional Vegas slots where all bets carry the exact same jackpot odds no matter what level your meter reads, the Jackpot Pool on 88 Fortunes accumulates and is read on each individual machine. In general, having a larger meter is read as a better opportunity.

What do the gold versions of these symbols do?

When players choose to purchase extra credit options, Key Symbol variants such as Buddha, Pagoda Tower, Tortoise, Boat, Gold Coin, and Bird Sculpture may display in a gold color. A gold version of a symbol will increase the amount paid out relative to its original winning combination when compared to its non-gold equivalent.