Bonus Slots, today's popular trend, are the most fun, graphically loaded, glitziest slots to come along in a long time. When I think how I laughed at my video arcade friends back then, but guess who's playing these arcade party machines now?

Bonus slots are described as 'multi-line', 'interactive' 'branded machines', 'entertainment-content' and 'participation games'. I like the name 'Bonus Slots' because it says it all. The main goal of these games is to reach the 'second chance' bonus round where the real money is.

Slot players will recognize the names of some original versions: Monopoly, Little Green Men, Let's Make a Deal, Wheel of Fortune, Scrabble and Reel 'Em In . Some of the 'newbies on the block' are Route 66, Men Are From Mars, You Might Be a Redneck If…, Millioni$er and Saturday Night Live.

When you approach a Bonus Slot, you will immediately see many more graphics than other slots--25 symbols or more filling up the screen in front of you. The buttons in front of you will offer as many as 20 paylines. Many versions come in penny denominations, but with maximums up to 225 coins for pennies, 45 coins for nickels, that's $2.25/spin, folks. The RNG is still very active even when the machine is idle and the number of possibilities with graphic-rich bonus slots is staggering. Payouts are much more frequent, usually every 2-3 spins.

Strategy education for bonus slots follows:

• Read all information posted: I know you have heard this before but with more payout options for these versions, this is very important.
• Take a look at the help menu that explains game rules and pay lines criss- crossing the screen grid. Scatter pay 'wild' symbols are paid when appearing anywhere on the screen.
• Bonus round top points should be a contributing factor in selecting bonus types/versions as secondary jackpots can produce up to 10,000 coins and primary/top jackpots 100,000+ as printed on machine.
• Warning: casinos set up bonus versions simply because they know players will be carried away with accumulating credits and a chance at the bonus round.
• Wager management and discipline are required like any other casino game--be an intelligent gambler. This is critical with bonus machines because higher betting amounts dictate that a bill-acceptor is used rather than hand-feeding coins.
• Keep track of monies gobbled up by the bill-acceptor; it could very well be time for a new bonus version.
• I suggest you activate all bonus lines, but 1 or 2 coins/line until your credits increase, at which time a maximum spin involves less risk.