Balloon Race is a live casino game by Evolution that blends slot machine and game show features. It’s built on similar concepts as some of their earlier releases, like Crazy Coin Flip and Crazy Pachinko. Let’s see what sets it apart and, most importantly, how to win at Balloon Race.
Balloon Race Game Mechanics
Balloon Race gameplay consists of three stages:
- Slot action
- Building up multipliers
- Live draw
Your active participation is needed in the first two stages, whereas the third stage involves watching events unfold in the studio and enjoying your winnings.
Slot Stage
The game kicks off with slot action, and this is when you make the key choices.
The slot includes five reels, three rows, and 10 paylines with eight paying symbols. Payouts range from a minimum of 0.1x to a maximum of 15x.
In this stage, your goal is to qualify for the live round, which means you won’t see big payouts from the slot. Qualification occurs when you land three Wilds, Scatters, or their combination. Scatters may carry extra multipliers that move on to the final stage.
Along with bet size, you can adjust the game mode: standard, XXXtreme, or Super XXXtreme. The enhanced options cost 5 and 50 times your bet, respectively, offering more Scatters, Wilds, and better odds of getting multipliers.
Multiplier Top-Up
Once qualified, you’ll have a chance to top up the multipliers for the upcoming live round. This involves releasing balloons that increase the multiplier for their respective colors. Balloons that pop will award no multiplier.
By default, this stage uses the same base bet as you made in the slot, but you can raise it to increase the multipliers on the balloons. However, participating in this round is optional — you can skip it and go straight to the next live draw once it begins.
Live Stage
Now, onto the balloon race to see what you’ve won. An airplane will fly across the screen at the start, adding to existing multipliers. If you hold an extra multiplier from the qualification phase, it will multiply those given by the airplane.
The winner is determined by a drawing machine holding 80 balls, 20 per color. Each ball is pulled one by one. Once a color appears five times, the corresponding balloon wins. Your prize is the multiplier shown next to that balloon multiplied by your base bet.
Winning Tactics for Balloon Race
Balloon Race strategy involves making choices in two distinct stages. Let’s explore the best moves for each stage using available game data and our own insights.
Here’s how the Return to Player (RTP) rates are distributed in the game:
- Normal Spin – 96.09%
- XXXtreme Spin – 96.00%
- Super XXXtreme Spin – 96.03%
- Top Up – 96.05%
Unlike some other game shows, Balloon Race features consistent RTP rates across all bet types and generally performs well in this respect. In terms of expected value, normal spins are preferable, and our tests back this up.
How to Get Through the Qualification Stage
We’ve begun to reveal a bit about our playing experience, and now we’ll go into more detail. Here’s the number of spins it took to qualify in each mode:
- Normal Spin – 76, 142, 43
- Super XXXtreme Spin – 3, 3
- XXXtreme Spin – 73
Normal spin turned out to be the most efficient way to qualify. It’s the only mode where base game payouts offer some meaningful return. Despite this, a significant portion of spending is still directed towards qualification, which is precisely what you need.
XXXtreme and Super XXXtreme modes accelerate qualification but render basic payouts nearly useless. You must rely on hitting a big extra multiplier to increase your winnings later, though we never achieved this.
Super XXXtreme mode was acceptable, with two instances of spending 150 base bets each for almost instant qualification. However, XXXtreme mode was harsh on our funds — we spent 365 base bets and got little back, while recouping such losses in the live round proved impossible.
So, for the qualification stage, it’s wise to have 100-150 base bets ready and stick to normal spins. If you’re aiming for bigger winnings, the top-up stage gives you a better opportunity.
Tips for Success in the Top-Up Stage
The multiplier top-up feature is essential for managing volatility. You never know how many spins it will take to qualify, and the final stage’s base multipliers may vary widely. Topping up can help smooth out these fluctuations.
However, this tactic succeeds only when sticking to the base bet. Raising your bet increases game volatility instead. Not every balloon will hit the top spot, but the ones that do will greatly affect the final multiplier. Players who start with a small base bet and are looking to up their risk may find this approach suitable.
Either way, be careful not to overinvest in the multipliers; align your stakes with your bankroll. Keep in mind, only one out of four balloons will win in the end. If you’re not keen on increasing your spending, it’s also fine to skip the multiplier stage altogether.
Bottom Line – Is Balloon Race Worth Your Time?
The combination of slot and game show elements resonates well with many players, and Balloon Race is a strong continuation of this genre. In Crazy Coin Flip, your winnings hinge on a coin toss; in Crazy Pachinko, they depend on where a puck lands among 16 spots. Play Balloon Race for a more balanced experience with four potential outcomes and a relaxed setting.
Balloon Race is all about having fun, with strategy taking a back seat. Hopefully, our guide will help you understand the game better and avoid common rookie mistakes that could spoil your first impression.
