Last updated: May 2026. Multiplier-mechanic observations drawn from 14 bonus rounds across the four featured casinos in April-May 2026.
Most pokie multipliers either climb during a round (Razor Shark, Sweet Bonanza) or land randomly (Wilds, drops, etc.). Buffalo Blitz takes a third path: you pick the multiplier before the round starts, it stays fixed for the entire round, and the trade-off is fewer spins. The mechanic is unusual enough to need its own explainer — and important enough that picking the right option for the right session can change how a bonus feels even though the expected return is identical across all options. This article unpacks how Buffalo Blitz multipliers work, why all three menu options share the same RTP, and which option fits which session shape.
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The multiplier menu
When 3+ diamond scatters land, the bonus selection menu opens. The typical Playtech build shows three options:
| Option | Spins | Multiplier | Spin-multiplier product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steady | 25 | 2× | 50 |
| Balanced | 15 | 3× | 45 |
| Spike | 8 | 5× | 40 |
Note: the spin-multiplier products differ slightly (50 vs 45 vs 40). The reason is that the EV calculation also accounts for retrigger probability — the higher-spin options have more retrigger chances, which compensates for their slightly lower spin-multiplier product. The end result is roughly equivalent expected return across all three options.
Why all three options have the same RTP
A common question: "If 5× is bigger than 2×, why isn't the Spike option better?" The answer is that the per-spin payout opportunity differs:
- Steady (25 × 2×): More chances to hit a stacked-wild spin or six-of-a-kind, but each hit is doubled.
- Spike (8 × 5×): Fewer chances, but each hit is quintupled.
- Balanced: Middle ground.
The math is designed so that (spins × per-spin EV × multiplier) + (retrigger contribution) is roughly constant. You can't pick a "more EV" option because the menu is a closed system.
This is good design. It removes the gotcha of forcing players into a single bonus shape that may not fit their session.
What "fixed multiplier" actually means
Once you select an option, the multiplier is locked for the round:
- It does not climb when scatters land during free spins.
- It does not reset on any event.
- It applies to every paying hit during the round equally.
- It applies to retrigger-added spins too.
This is different from Razor Shark / Sweet Bonanza-style climbing multipliers where the bonus number changes spin-to-spin. Buffalo Blitz is simpler: pick once, apply uniformly.
Multiplier × stacked wilds — the compound moment
The biggest free-spin moments happen when a high multiplier amplifies a stacked-wild spin. Specifically:
| Spin shape | 2× multiplier | 3× multiplier | 5× multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six-of-a-kind low-pay (e.g. Ace) | 6× bet | 9× bet | 15× bet |
| Six-of-a-kind Elk (8× paytable) | 16× bet | 24× bet | 40× bet |
| Six-of-a-kind Eagle (20× paytable) | 40× bet | 60× bet | 100× bet |
| Six-of-a-kind Buffalo (30× paytable) | 60× bet | 90× bet | 150× bet |
| Six-of-a-kind Buffalo + chained alignments | 200× bet | 300× bet | 500× bet |
| Multi-reel stacked wilds + six-of-a-kind | 400-800× bet | 600-1,200× bet | 1,000-2,000× bet |
A clean stacked-wild six-of-a-kind Buffalo spin during a Spike bonus is the structural path to a 1,000×+ bonus.
Multiplier choice — practical decision tree
The decision is rarely obvious in the moment. Here's a quick tree:
Is your bankroll healthy and the session young?
- Yes → Steady (25 × 2×) — more variance absorption, more retrigger chances.
Is this a one-off session and you want a definitive big-win attempt?
- Yes → Spike (8 × 5×) — high-variance attempt for a memorable bonus.
Are you on tilt or playing without a clear plan?
- Yes → Balanced (15 × 3×) — the middle path is the right default when you're uncertain.
Are you on a long dry stretch and the bonus is your hope of recovery?
- Pick Steady for absorbing variance, OR pick Spike if you've already accepted the session as a loss and want a final shot. Don't pick Balanced — it's the worst option for emotional play.
Multiplier behaviour across retriggers
If you retrigger during free spins (3+ diamonds land in-bonus), additional spins are added at the same multiplier:
- Pick Spike (8 × 5×), retrigger after spin 4 → 8 + 8 = 16 total spins at 5×.
- Pick Steady (25 × 2×), retrigger after spin 12 → 25 + 25 = 50 total spins at 2×.
This is meaningful for Spike especially. A retriggered Spike bonus turns into the highest-variance, biggest-potential round shape in the game — 16+ spins at 5× multiplier with stacked wilds in the mix.
Multiplier myths
"The 5× option pays more in the long run." No — same long-run EV as the other two.
"You can switch the multiplier mid-bonus." No — the choice is locked at selection.
"Higher multiplier = higher chance of big win." Partially true — a higher multiplier amplifies any winning spin more, but you also get fewer spins, so total big-win probability is comparable across options.
"Auto-spin picks the multiplier for you." No — the bonus menu forces a manual selection regardless of auto-spin mode.
"The 8-spin option is a trap." No — same EV as the others. It's just higher variance.
"Multiplier carries over to the next bonus." No — every new bonus starts with a fresh selection menu.
Comparing Buffalo Blitz multipliers to other pokies
| Game | Multiplier mechanic |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Blitz | Player-selected (fixed for round) |
| Razor Shark | Persistent, climbs +1× per in-bonus scatter, no cap |
| Sweet Bonanza | Random multiplier symbols land during free spins |
| Gates of Olympus | Random multiplier orbs land during base + free spins |
| Bonanza | Climbing multiplier per consecutive win in free spins |
| Money Train 2 | Persistent multipliers attached to special symbols |
Buffalo Blitz's player-selected fixed multiplier is the most predictable of the modern multiplier mechanics. You know exactly what your wins will be multiplied by, you know how many spins you have, and you can plan the round emotionally before it starts. This is rare in slot design.
Stacked-wild compounding by multiplier
The most useful single comparison for picking your option:
A stacked-wild middle-reel spin that produces a 5-of-a-kind Buffalo (5× total bet) on each of three rows:
- Total base payout: 15× total bet (3 row hits).
- With Steady 2× → 30× bet bonus spin.
- With Balanced 3× → 45× bet bonus spin.
- With Spike 5× → 75× bet bonus spin.
A stacked-wild spin producing a clean six-of-a-kind Buffalo (30× total bet):
- With Steady 2× → 60× bet bonus spin.
- With Balanced 3× → 90× bet bonus spin.
- With Spike 5× → 150× bet bonus spin.
The Spike amplification on a single huge spin is 2.5× the Steady amplification. If you specifically expect (or hope for) one massive spin during your 8 attempts, Spike is the structural choice.
Where Playtech could have done it differently
Some Playtech variants of similar games offer four menu options (adding a 50-spin × 1× super-steady option). Buffalo Blitz typically ships with three, which is enough to express the variance spectrum cleanly. The 50× super-steady would be the lowest-variance choice — barely a real "multiplier round" since it's the base rate — and most players who want low variance just take Steady (25 × 2×) instead.
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Quick FAQ
Is the multiplier the same as the bet multiplier? No — the multiplier is a free-spin-only feature applied to wins inside the bonus round.
Does the multiplier apply to all wins? Yes — every paying hit during the round is multiplied.
Does the multiplier affect base-game spins? No — only the in-bonus free spins.
Can I retrigger a different multiplier? No — retriggers preserve the original multiplier.
Why do the three options have slightly different spin-multiplier products? Because retrigger probability differs by spin count. The Steady option's extra retrigger chances compensate for its slightly larger spin-mult product on paper.
What if I close the bonus menu without picking? You can't — the menu stays open until you select. There's no time-out or default.
Does the demo show the multiplier menu? Yes — identical to real money.
About this multiplier breakdown
Multiplier-mechanic behaviour observed across 14 bonus rounds during 350+ test spins at all four featured casinos in April-May 2026. Spin-multiplier product values cross-checked against Playtech's published documentation and in-game info-panel displays.
Gambling responsibly. The multiplier choice feels like agency, but it doesn't change long-run RTP. Set deposit limits before depositing. AU support: gamblinghelponline.org.au · BetStop · 18+ only.
Further Reading
Related reading in this guide: