Not many slot machines are able to maintain leadership positions for a long time, but Extra Chilli by Big Time Gaming has been delighting fans for several years with sharp mood swings and explosive combinations. The Megaways mechanic, invented by this provider, is implemented in a classic form: symbols of different sizes fall on each of the six vertical reels, and an additional horizontal track adjusts combinations, creating up to 117,649 “ways” to win. This solution provides the opportunity to “collect” several paying chains in one spin.
The machine is decorated with bright Mexican stylistics: against the backdrop of stalls with hot peppers, a swift cascade unfolds, where the higher icons are shaped like colorful letters and numbers, and the Scatter is denoted by H, O, T. The visual row is easy to remember, it is combined with a lively melody, and the expanded field sometimes instantly creates a whole block of paying combinations. The review of the Extra Chilli slot includes important information about what pitfalls to consider and what the option of buying a bonus really offers.
How the Megaways Mechanic Works
First, it is important to understand how Megaways radically changes the perception of slot machines: there are no familiar lines where you need to line up pictures in a row. It is necessary for identical images to appear on consecutive reels, and the number of cells in each column can vary from 2 to 7 (plus an additional horizontal strip at the bottom). As a result, one combination can cover many positions, and if several symbols match simultaneously, parallel chains are formed.
The review of the Extra Chilli slot implies recognition of the key specificity of Megaways: the coefficients for combinations are often low, as the possibility of collecting many matches in one spin is quite real. The provider claims that it is potentially possible to win over 20,000 times the bet in one spin, but such luck is an exception. Typical wins are small, around 1–3 credits, which sometimes accumulate into large chains thanks to the “avalanche” (cascade). After each paying combination, an “Avalanche” is triggered, removing played elements, and new ones fall from above. The process continues until there is a winning combination on the field.
Main Gameplay Process
In the review of the Extra Chilli slot, we want to emphasize that regular spins are characterized by unpredictable sequences. Sometimes in 10 spins, you can see several small wins, or, conversely, a series of failures. Occasionally, there is a medium win (x10, x20), but overall, the main session is inclined to deplete the balance. During 1000 test runs, experts observed that some hundreds of spins showed continuous decline, reaching -50 to -70 bets over a 100-spin period.
There were rare moments when a large group of identical images appeared at once (for example, purple letters), uniting 4–5 reels and bringing x20–x30. But in the long run, the statistics indicate that without a bonus, chances of a significant increase are slim.
Review of the Extra Chilli Slot: Activating the Bonus
The star element of the gameplay is the Free Spins feature. Activation is done through Scatters, which appear in the form of the letters H, O, T. You need to collect the word HOT to receive 8 free spins. If another letter is added (+4), the initial package grows to 12 spins. The number 8 by itself is not very large, as sometimes within eight spins, a serious multiplier does not have time to accumulate.
The machine has a feature: at the beginning of the bonus, the user can take a risk and choose “Gamble.” This is a small “wheel” that spins and, if successful, gives +4 free spins, but if unsuccessful, everything is canceled. In other words, you can try to turn 8 free spins into 12 or 16 (or even 20), but if luck turns away, the player loses the bonus session.
During free spins, the “Avalanche” cascade is active. Each time a win is formed, the total multiplier increases by 1. The potential is revealed here: if chains occur in succession, the results can quickly jump to x10, x15, and higher within seconds. There is also the possibility of a retrigger (catching another scatter), increasing the total number of spins.
Buying a Bonus
As an addition to the standard Scatter draw, the Buy Bonus feature becomes available, where for a fixed amount (50 bets), you can immediately enter the bonus phase with 8 free spins. This may seem enticing, as you don’t have to wait for Scatters for hours. However, the review of the Extra Chilli slot confirms that buying is more like a lottery, as you can lose a large portion of your investment if the free spins do not go well. Sometimes, from the first purchased bonus, you can hit x100 and recoup the costs. The results of experiments are ambiguous: in one case, a repeat purchase brought a very modest win (x3, x2…), and then suddenly one attempt yielded x85.
Test Results and Statistics
During a test session of 1000 spins, divided into blocks of 100 spins each, the total loss amounted to 332 bets. Free spins were obtained only three times (on the 99th, 580th, and 714th spins). However, only one bonus (the last one) provided a small compensation, bringing x69, but still did not cover the overall losses. The first couple of free spins resulted in a prize of around 2–3 credits.
An analysis of the Extra Chilli slot, based on testing, indicates that 1000 spins for a high-dispersion Megaways slot is not a sufficient distance. On the same volume, there could have been several large wins capable of turning the result into a positive one.
Recommendations:
- Be cautious with Buy Bonus: sometimes it is better to wait for Scatters in the natural mode rather than aggressively spend 50 bets for each call. It is good if your budget allows for 3–5 (or more) consecutive purchases; otherwise, you can lose everything instantly.
- Approach free spins gently: starting with 8 spins, you can risk for 12–16, but the chances of failure are high. Sometimes it is advisable to take 8 spins and hope for a cascade chain. If you get 12 (or 16) spins, it is worth assessing the risks, as an additional attempt may result in failure.
- Don’t forget about the retrigger: the machine allows you to get +4 free spins when another set of scatters appears. In practice, this happens rarely, but if you are lucky, the multiplier during the series can turn into x10–x15, and then even several small payouts within the “avalanche” form a good profit.
- Set limits: the volatility of the machine is too high to hope to “turn it around” in half an hour. Determine in advance how much you are willing to spend, and with a good win (for example, +200 bets to the balance), it is better to take a break.
Final Evaluation
The review of the Extra Chilli slot shows that BTG has created a powerful Megaways project where the sharpness of sensations matches the Mexican theme. The visual part and the “avalanche” mechanic with 117,649 ways bring unique dynamics. As indicated by the test results, high volatility still makes itself felt. In the short term, you may encounter significant losses, and rare bonuses do not always save the situation.
