Starburst Slot Game

Starburst

By Hammy Low, Casino Games Analyst · Updated 16 July 2026

NetEnt RTP 96.09% Low Volatility 50,000x Max Win
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Starburst Quick Specs
ProviderNetEnt
RTP96.09%
VolatilityLow
Min BetMYR 0.10
Max BetMYR 100.00
Max Win50,000x
Paylines10
Reels5x3
ThemeGems/Space
Release Date2012

About Starburst

Starburst is a gem and space-themed slot developed by NetEnt and released in 2012. It is one of the most recognisable online slots ever made and remains a go-to first slot for newcomers, which is precisely why it stays so popular with Malaysian players — bright arcade visuals, simple rules and a famously gentle feel.

The game uses a 5x3 grid with 10 paylines that pay both ways. Winning combinations are read from left to right and from right to left, so a line of matching gems anywhere across the reels can pay in either direction, giving you more chances per spin than the line count suggests.

The signature feature is the expanding Starburst Wild with re-spins, a clean mechanic that defines the whole game. Maxim88 offers Starburst on desktop and mobile with no download needed, and with low volatility plus a bet range of RM0.10 to RM100.00 it suits cautious and high-roller players alike.

How 10 Paylines (Win Both Ways) Work

Starburst has 10 fixed paylines, but the crucial twist is that they pay both ways. Standard slots only count combinations running left to right; here a line of three or more matching gems also pays right to left, effectively doubling the directions a win can land. You only need three matching symbols on a line, and because the lines are fixed your total stake is spread evenly across all 10.

There are no scatters, no free spins and no separate bonus round — the entire game revolves around the Starburst Wild. The wild appears only on the middle three reels (reels 2, 3 and 4), substitutes for every gem and triggers the game's only special feature when it lands.

Bonus Features

Expanding Starburst Wild

When a wild lands on reel 2, 3 or 4 it expands to cover the entire reel and locks in place. Because it substitutes for all gems, an expanded wild reel often completes several both-ways combinations at once.

Wild Re-Spins

Each expanding wild awards one re-spin with that wild held in position. If another wild lands during a re-spin it also expands and triggers a further re-spin, so up to three reels can be held as full wilds at the same time.

Win Both Ways Pays

Every payline is evaluated in both directions, left to right and right to left. This is the main reason Starburst feels so rewarding despite having only 10 lines, as a single cluster of gems can score twice.

Strategy & Tips

1
Understand that the wild re-spins are the whole feature. There is no bonus round to chase, so value every wild on reels 2, 3 or 4 — stacking all three as expanded wilds is the route to the biggest pays and the 50,000x ceiling.
2
Lean into the low volatility for longer sessions. Wins are small but frequent, so Starburst is ideal for stretching a bankroll or clearing wagering on a Maxim88 welcome bonus rather than for hunting one huge hit.
3
Keep your coin value modest. Because payouts come often and in small amounts, a lower per-spin stake lets the steady drip of both-ways wins keep your balance ticking over comfortably.
4
Note the RTP is around average. At 96.09% the return sits right around the 96% industry average — fair rather than exceptional — and applies over the long run, not any single play.
5
Set a clear session budget and stick to it. Even on a low-volatility slot, decide your win target and loss limit before you start at Maxim88 and stop when you reach either; responsible limits keep the game fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Starburst has no complicated bonus rounds, low volatility and an easy win-both-ways system, so it pays often in small amounts and is simple to understand. That low-pressure feel makes it one of the most recommended first slots at Maxim88.

Wilds appear only on the middle three reels. When one lands it expands to fill the whole reel, locks in place and awards a re-spin, and additional wilds during re-spins expand and re-trigger, with up to three wild reels held at once.

It means every one of the 10 paylines is checked in two directions — left to right and right to left. A line of three or more matching gems can therefore pay from either side, giving extra winning chances each spin.

Starburst has an RTP of 96.09%, which is around the 96% average, and a maximum win of 50,000x your stake. Despite that high ceiling it remains a low-volatility game built on frequent, smaller payouts.

Ready to Play?

Starburst is available now on Maxim88. Register or login to claim your welcome bonus and start spinning.

Play Starburst on Maxim88

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Written by Hammy Low — Casino Games Analyst

Hammy Low has covered the Malaysian online casino market since 2019, personally testing slot RTP claims, live dealer studios, deposit and withdrawal speeds, and bonus terms. Every guide on Maxim88Game.com is checked against the live casino lobby before publishing and revisited after major platform updates.