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Updated 2026-10-27

Starburst Tucan players get NetEnt's 2012 gem slot: 5 reels, 10 paylines, wins in both directions, a 96.09% RTP and low volatility. Its hook is the expanding wild, which fills a reel and hands you a respin. This guide covers the paytable, the wild mechanics and how to keep a session sensible.

Provider
NetEnt
Type
slot
RTP
96.09%
Volatility
low
Max win
500x
Released
2012
Contents
  1. Reading the Starburst paytable: gems, bars and lucky sevens
  2. Left to right and right to left: why both directions pay
  3. What happens when a wild lands on reels two, three or four
  4. Locking the middle reels during a run of respins
  5. Small, frequent hits and a modest top prize
  6. Low-stake spinning at Tucan with deposit limits in place

Reading the Starburst paytable: gems, bars and lucky sevens

The Starburst slot uses a simple symbol set: five coloured gems, a BAR symbol and a lucky seven, plus the wild. There are no scatters and no bonus-buy tricks, so the paytable is short and easy to take in at a glance.

Gems form the lower and middle tiers, while the BAR and the seven sit at the top. The wild has no payout of its own. It substitutes for the other symbols to complete a line.

How the symbol tiers rank
TierSymbolsRole
TopLucky seven, BARBiggest line payouts
MiddleOrange and green gemsMid-range line payouts
LowPurple, blue and red gemsMost frequent, smallest payouts
SpecialStarburst wildSubstitutes, expands, triggers a respin

Exact payouts depend on your stake, so open the in-game info screen for the live figures before you start. Treat that screen as the final word on what each symbol pays.

Left to right and right to left: why both directions pay

How a winning line is formed

Most slots only pay from the leftmost reel. Starburst also pays from the rightmost reel, so a matching run can start from either edge of the 10 paylines. Matching symbols must sit on adjacent reels, and you need at least three in a row.

What it means for hit rate

Counting both directions roughly doubles the ways to connect, which is a big reason this slot feels so lively. It is also why wins arrive often but stay modest. Many small hits keep the balance moving, yet they rarely add up to a dramatic jump.

What happens when a wild lands on reels two, three or four

The expanding wild

The wild only appears on the middle three reels. When it lands, it expands to cover the whole reel and substitutes for any symbol, which often completes lines in both directions at once.

The respin that follows

Every expanded wild triggers a respin, and the wild stays locked in place while the other reels spin again. Because a wild reel boosts the chance of a connection, the respin is where the best moments of the game happen.

  • Wilds appear on reels 2, 3 and 4 only.
  • Each wild expands to fill its reel.
  • Expanded wilds are held for the respin.
  • The wild never pays by itself, it only helps other symbols.
Expanding starburst wild across middle reels with glowing gems in space

Locking the middle reels during a run of respins

If a fresh wild lands during a respin, it expands too and sets off another one. A chain can build up, with several middle reels locked as wilds while the outer reels keep spinning. The sequence is capped, so it cannot run on forever.

With wilds locked in the middle, any gem landing on reel one or reel five can link up through them. That is why a chain is the best you can hope for in this game, even though it never turns into a long feature round.

  1. A wild lands on reel 2, 3 or 4 and expands.
  2. The wild locks and the remaining reels respin.
  3. Any new wild expands and can lock for a further respin.
  4. When no new wild appears, the sequence ends and wins are paid.

Small, frequent hits and a modest top prize

Low volatility in practice

Low volatility means you can expect regular, smaller wins rather than rare large ones. The 96.09% RTP is a long-run theoretical figure measured over a huge number of spins, so it says nothing certain about a single session.

The 500x ceiling

The maximum win is 500x your stake. That is modest compared with high-volatility titles, and the game has no free spins round to push it higher. If you want a bigger swing, look at the other titles in the slots lobby.

Starburst is a steady, easy-to-follow game, not a jackpot chaser.

Low-stake spinning at Tucan with deposit limits in place

If you pick Starburst Tucan as a relaxed, low-stake game, decide your budget before the first spin. The site offers daily, weekly and monthly deposit limits, session reminders and self-exclusion, and the casino links to BeGambleAware and GamCare.

On promotions, the welcome package is a 222% match up to €500 with 50 free spins on selected premium slots. Check on the bonus page which games count, since bonus terms can change how a slot is played.

There is no dedicated app, but the browser site is mobile-friendly. Details are on the mobile page.

Check eligibility first

The casino's restricted-country list includes the UK. Read the safety review and the terms before depositing, and never play with money you need for bills.

FAQ

Does Starburst have a free spins round?

No. The game's features are expanding wilds, respins, wins in both directions and 10 paylines. The respin triggered by a wild is the closest thing to a bonus. Casino free spins are a separate promotion, so check the offer terms to see whether they can be used on this slot.

What is the maximum win on Starburst?

The top win is 500x your stake. That makes it a modest-ceiling game, which fits its low volatility. You will see small wins fairly often, while a big payout is far less likely than on high-volatility slots with multipliers and bonus rounds.

Can I try Starburst in demo mode at Tucan?

I can't confirm that a demo mode is offered, so check the game page in the lobby for a practice or fun-play option. If there isn't one, read the in-game paytable first and start with the smallest stake you are comfortable with.

Is Starburst a high or low volatility slot?

It is low volatility, with an RTP of 96.09%. Expect frequent, smaller wins and a steadier balance than on high-volatility games, although no slot guarantees results over a short session.

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