This statistic explains why the mechanic appears in so many modern pokies: it is highly engaging and commercially productive for operators. Which also means it is particularly important for players to set firm session limits.
How the Boost Feature Works
The Boost symbol is the mechanic that distinguishes Tiger Gems from simpler Hold and Win pokies. Here is exactly how it functions:
- Boost appears on reel 3 during the base game, Free Spins or on the Fortune Slide during the Bonus Game.
- Scan the screen for Bonus symbols, each one carries a cash denomination displayed on its face.
- Boost instantly totals all visible Bonus denominations and credits the sum to your round winnings before respins begin (in the Bonus Game) or as an instant prize (in the base game or Free Spins).
This means a single Boost landing alongside multiple high-value Bonus symbols can produce a substantial one-shot payout, layered on top of whatever the Bonus Game's respins then deliver. It is a clever twist, though not one you can plan for.
Mystery Tiger Symbol
The Mystery Tiger keeps outcomes unpredictable. In the base game it can transform into any Bonus-type symbol including Mini, Minor or Major Jackpot icons. Inside the Bonus Game, it morphs into the first queued symbol from the Fortune Slide. Because you cannot predict its reveal, it adds a layer of suspense and reinforces the importance of not basing strategy on "expected" outcomes.
Free Spins, Retriggers and Persistence
Landing 3 Scatter (Temple) symbols anywhere on the reels awards 8 Free Spins. During Free Spins, the game increases the frequency of Boost, Bonus and Mystery symbols, making the Bonus Game easier to trigger. If 3 more Scatters land during the feature, an additional 8 Free Spins are awarded. There is no published cap on retriggers.
Research into the behavioural psychology of free-spins features is revealing. In laboratory settings, participants consistently preferred a pokie simulation with a complex free-spins bonus feature and placed larger bets when using hypothetical rather than exchangeable credits: