The expanding wild re-spin is what makes Starburst tick. When a star wild symbol lands on reel 2, 3, or 4, it stretches to cover the entire reel, locks in place, and awards up to two free re-spins — giving players extra chances to land a paying combination without an extra bet.
Which Reels Trigger the Expanding Wild?
The star wild can only appear on reels 2, 3, and 4 — never the outer reels. That's by design. Centering the wild action keeps potential wins balanced across the starburst slot game's 243-ways pay system, which pays left-to-right and right-to-left simultaneously.
Once the wild expands, it stays put while the remaining reels spin again. If a second wild lands during a re-spin, it also expands and locks, and the re-spin counter resets. The sequence can repeat up to two re-spins total per triggering event.
How Many Re-Spins Can You Get?
Up to two. Here's the flow:
- A star wild lands on reel 2, 3, or 4 during a paid spin.
- The wild expands to fill the reel. Re-spin 1 begins.
- If another wild appears during re-spin 1, it expands and locks. Re-spin 2 begins.
- After re-spin 2, all wilds clear and normal play resumes.
In the best-case scenario, all three middle reels are filled with wilds for re-spin 2 — a very visible and satisfying outcome given the game's colorful gem symbols.
Does Starburst Have a Traditional Free-Spins Round?
No. That surprises some players. There is no scatter-triggered free-spins bonus round in the base starburst slot — the re-spin mechanic tied to the expanding wild is the entire bonus feature. Keep that in mind when evaluating operator free-spins promotions; confirm whether those spins are usable on this title specifically.
For a deeper look at the numbers behind the game, check the starburst rtp page — the 96.09% figure published by NetEnt applies to the authentic game with this exact mechanic intact.
What Symbols Work With the Wild?
The star wild substitutes for all other symbols. Per the starburst game rules, the bar symbol is the only one excluded from wild substitution in standard play. Everything else — colored gems, sevens — can be completed by a wild landing adjacent on the covered reel.
How Volatility Connects to the Re-Spin Feature
Starburst is low volatility. The expanding wild re-spin delivers small, frequent wins rather than massive jackpot swings. That makes it a reasonable choice for players managing a strict entertainment budget — sessions tend to be longer but the individual win amounts stay modest. Read more on the volatility explained page for how this affects bankroll planning.
Want to see the mechanic before committing real money? The starburst slot demo is available through NetEnt's official game page and select licensed operators, so you can watch the wilds in action first. For real-money play, legal options exist in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware — must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling.
If you're ready to sign up, the sign-up guide walks through registration and KYC steps at licensed US casinos that carry NetEnt content.