Starburst
Starburst is the slot that a whole generation of online players learned on. NetEnt released it in January 2012, and more than a decade later it still sits in the lobbies of most casinos that carry the studio’s games. The formula is simple: a 5×3 grid of glowing gems, 10 paylines that pay in both directions, and a single feature in the shape of the expanding Starburst Wild, which fills a reel and hands you a free respin.
That simplicity is exactly why it is worth understanding properly. There are no free spins, no bonus game and no multipliers, so everything comes down to how often the wilds land and how lines are counted. This review covers the official numbers from NetEnt, how the respin feature works, which RTP version to look for and how to manage a bankroll on a game built for long, steady sessions.
Where to Play Starburst
Starburst is one of the most widely distributed NetEnt slots, so most casinos with a NetEnt section will have it. The casinos below carry NetEnt games, accept players from Australia and are reviewed on BetsAuthority. Before you deposit, open the game rules inside the casino to check which RTP version is running.
Quick Facts About Starburst
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Slot | Starburst |
| Provider | NetEnt |
| Release | 23 January 2012 |
| Layout | 5 reels / 3 rows |
| Paylines | 10 fixed lines, paying both ways |
| RTP | 96.08% (NetEnt figure) |
| Volatility | Medium (NetEnt rating) |
| Hit frequency | 23% |
| Bet range | 0.10 to 100 per spin (casino limits may differ) |
| Maximum win | 800x the bet |
| Main feature | Expanding Starburst Wilds with respins |
| Free spins | None |
How Starburst Works
Starburst uses 10 fixed paylines on a 5×3 grid, and the line count cannot be changed. The detail that sets it apart is that wins pay both ways: a combination counts if it starts on the leftmost reel and runs right, or starts on the rightmost reel and runs left. In practice that means three matching symbols on reels 3, 4 and 5 can pay, which a standard left-to-right slot would ignore.
The symbol set is short. Five coloured gems (purple, blue, orange, green and yellow) make up the lower and middle tiers, while the gold Bar and the red Lucky Seven are the premium symbols. Because there are only seven paying symbols, matching lines appear fairly often, and NetEnt quotes a hit frequency of 23%, meaning roughly one paid spin in every four or five on average over the long run.
There is no scatter symbol and nothing to collect. Each spin is resolved on its own, apart from the respins described below, and the paytable inside the game shows the current value of every combination at your chosen stake.
The Starburst Wild and Respins
The multicoloured star is the wild, and it can only appear on the three middle reels: reels 2, 3 and 4. When one lands, it expands to cover the whole reel, substitutes for every paying symbol on that reel, and triggers a respin. During the respin the expanded wild stays locked in place while the other reels spin again at no cost.
If another wild lands during the respin, it also expands and locks, and you get one more respin. Since wilds can only appear on three reels, the sequence ends after a maximum of three respins. The best possible outcome is all three middle reels covered by wilds, which turns the grid into a line-filling machine because every payline now only needs matching symbols on reels 1 and 5, in either direction.
This is where the both-ways rule matters most. With expanded wilds in the middle, a single symbol on reel 1 that matches one on reel 5 can complete wins running left to right and right to left at the same time. That combination is what produces the top results in the game, up to NetEnt’s stated cap of 800x the bet.
RTP Versions: Check Before You Play
NetEnt lists Starburst at 96.08%. Like most modern studios, NetEnt supplies casinos with more than one RTP configuration of its games, and an operator can choose a lower setting without changing anything you see on the reels. The only reliable way to know which version you are playing is to open the information or rules screen inside the game at your casino and read the RTP stated there.
The difference matters more on Starburst than on many slots, because people tend to play it for long sessions at low stakes. Over thousands of spins, even a small gap in RTP shows up in how long a balance lasts.
Worked Example: A Respin Sequence
Say you play at A$1 per spin. A wild lands on reel 3, expands and locks. Any lines that already win with that wild are paid, and the game gives you a respin. On the respin, a second wild lands on reel 2 and expands, so the game pays any new line wins and gives you another respin, this time with reels 2 and 3 locked.
On the third pass, a wild lands on reel 4. Now all three middle reels are wild and only reels 1 and 5 matter. If both show a Bar, every one of the 10 lines can complete in both directions. Each respin pays separately, so the total for the sequence is the sum of all three results. Even in a strong sequence like this, the game cannot pay more than 800x the stake, which is A$800 at A$1.
Who Starburst Suits
Starburst is a good fit if you want a slot that pays small amounts often and does not depend on a rare bonus round. It suits players who like to understand a game fully in a few minutes, and it is often the default choice for clearing wagering requirements because results are relatively steady.
It is less suited to anyone looking for large single wins. The 800x cap is modest by modern standards, and there are no multipliers to push a win higher. If that is what you want, NetEnt titles such as Dead or Alive 2 or Gonzo’s Quest Megaways from Red Tiger sit at the other end of the scale.
Bankroll Tips for Starburst
- Pick a stake that gives you at least 200 spins from your session budget; that is enough to see a few respin sequences.
- Expect frequent small wins that are worth less than the stake. A paid spin is not always a profitable one.
- Set a win goal as well as a loss limit. With an 800x ceiling, banking a solid result makes more sense than chasing a bigger one.
- Use autoplay limits and the casino’s deposit limits rather than relying on willpower mid-session.
- Remember that each spin is random. Respins do not make the next spin more likely to land a wild.
Pros and Cons of Starburst
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very simple rules, easy to learn | No free spins or bonus game |
| Lines pay both ways | Maximum win capped at 800x |
| Expanding wilds with up to three respins | Only one feature, so play can feel repetitive |
| 23% hit frequency for steadier sessions | Lower RTP versions may be offered by casinos |
| Wide bet range from 0.10 to 100 | Official free play is geo-restricted in Australia |
Demo Play vs Real Money
The maths in a demo version is the same as in the real game, so free play shows how often the wilds appear. At the time of writing, however, the free-play launcher on NetEnt’s own site is not available to visitors from Australia, so there is no official demo embedded on this page. Some licensed casinos offer a play-for-fun mode where their licence allows it.
If you move to real money, choose a casino that shows the RTP in the game rules, processes withdrawals promptly after verification and offers responsible gambling tools. You can compare options in our casino reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
NetEnt lists Starburst with a 96.08% RTP. Casinos can run lower configurations, so open the game rules at your casino to confirm the version.
No. Starburst has no free spins round and no scatter symbol. Its only feature is the expanding Starburst Wild, which triggers a free respin.
Wilds only land on reels 2, 3 and 4, so a single sequence can produce up to three respins when a new wild lands on each respin.
NetEnt states a maximum payout of 800x the bet.
NetEnt rates Starburst as medium volatility. Its 23% hit frequency and modest top prize make it one of the steadier slots in the NetEnt range.
The free-play version on the NetEnt site is not available to Australian visitors at the time of writing. Some licensed casinos offer a demo mode where their licence allows it.
Responsible Gaming Note
Starburst is entertainment, not a way to make money. Only play if you are 18 or older, set a budget and a time limit before you start and stop when you reach either one. If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential support is available 24/7 from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.
Final Verdict
Starburst has lasted because it does one thing well. The expanding wilds and respins are easy to follow, the both-ways paylines keep small wins coming, and NetEnt’s 96.08% RTP and medium volatility rating make it a sensible choice for relaxed, low-stakes sessions. The trade-off is a modest 800x top prize and no bonus round. Check the RTP at your casino, keep stakes small relative to your budget and treat it as a steady classic rather than a jackpot hunter.
