The Dead or Alive 2 slot from NetEnt is one of the most popular video slots among high rollers and thrill-seekers. Released in April 2019 as a sequel to the original hit Dead or Alive classic, this 5×3, 25 payline slot offers an RTP of 96.8% and epic win potential up to 111,111x the bet thanks to its special features.
One of the key attractions in DoA2 is the bonus buy feature. Instead of needing to hit the bonus triggering scatter symbols during the base game, you have the option to instantly “buy” access to one of three bonus features by paying a fixed price.
In this 2000 word guide, we provide an in-depth look at how the DoA2 bonus buy option works, the different options available, payouts/win potentials, optimal strategies, and important factors to consider before using this highly volatile shortcut attempt to massive wins.
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Provider | NetEnt |
RTP | 96.82% |
Variance | High |
Max Win | x111,111 |
Betways | 9 |
Release Date | April 23, 2019 |
Slot Type | Video Slots |
Min/Max Bet ($, €, £) | 0.09 / 18 |
Layout | 5×3 |
Features | FreeSpins, Multiplier, Sticky Wilds |
Theme | Wild West |
The best way to test the Dead or Alive 2 bonus buys is by playing the free demo version. This allows you to trial the features and practice strategies without any risk.
To access the DoA2 free play mode, simply scroll to the top section of this review page and click the “Play Demo” button. This will launch the game in demo format.
From there, you can see how much the bonus buys costs for different bet sizes and experiment with purchasing them just like real money mode. Any wins or losses won’t count, making demo the perfect arena to get comfortable with the high-volatility bonus buys before playing for real.
The free Dead or Alive 2 also lets you organically trigger the bonuses during regular spins to better understand the features before buying access. Overall, be sure to take advantage of demo mode and its unlimited free spins when getting started with bonus buys.
To access the bonus buy feature in Dead or Alive 2, simply click on the “Buy Bonus” button located underneath the spin button.
This will open a pop-up window that displays the three different bonus games available and their respective buy-in price:
The cost of “purchasing” direct access to each bonus round varies based on the potential payouts and volatility. High Noon Saloon offers the biggest wins but comes with a higher risk and so is most expensive at 200x your trigger bet.
Once you select the bonus game and confirm the buy-in price, you’ll instantly receive 12 free spins in the chosen bonus mode. DoA2 also has mystery scatter symbols during the bonuses which can trigger 5 extra spins. So theoretically, you could play out up to 17 spins in the bought bonus round.
Any wins during the bonus buy spins are added to your balance. Even if you don’t profit from the bonus (meaning your total winnings don’t exceed the buy-in cost), you still keep any winning spins as profit. The only amount risked is your initial investment.
Let’s take a closer look at the three available bonus buy options…
This lower variance bonus buy option adds excitement by boosting all your wins with a 2x multiplier. It also gives you the satisfying feeling of savoring every full reel wild symbol spread since they come with a reward of 5 additional spins.
With a relatively low 100x buy-in cost and medium volatility, Old Saloon is a reasonable bonus mode to buy into if you enjoy less risky gameplay with the potential for small to mid-sized wins.
The Train Heist brings a unique format to the typical “Expanding Wilds” style bonus round. You’ll watch in anticipation as a wild counter ticks up and multiplier increases each time you land a wild symbol.
Landing all 5 wild types triggers the maximum 16x multiplier, which also gifts you 5 additional spins as a reward. This extends the thrill of chasing big wins while allowing wins to steadily accumulate.
For 150x buy-in, Train Heist provides lower-medium volatility action with frequent small hits and chance of larger wins in the 10x+ range.
Experienced high rollers and thrill-gamblers will likely gravitate right to the High Noon Saloon when they’re ready to throw down a big bonus buy.
As the most volatile DoA2 bonus, every free spin here can result in explosive wins thanks to the 2x and 3x sticky wild multipliers when multiple land on a spin. Even a full board of 3x multipliers pays out 111,111x…the max win available in DoA2 base game and bonuses!
The downside of course is High Noon can also be the fastest way to burn through a big balance if lady luck fails to show up on those expensive bought spins.
But for those seeking the biggest thrills and epic wins in the Old West, High Noon Saloon is the ultimate choice to try and hit the game’s mammoth payout potential.
The Dead or Alive 2 slot has an exciting bonus buy feature that lets you instantly gain access to one of three free spins bonus rounds by paying a set fee. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough for purchasing bonuses:
Implementing sound slot strategy and bankroll management is crucial when playing volatile slots like DoA2…especially if using the bonus buy.
Here are some key tips to optimize your gameplay experience and keep high buy-in costs from quickly ravaging your balance:
Decide the maximum amount or portion of your balance you feel comfortable allocating towards buying bonuses. As a general rule, restrict buys to 10-20% of your bankroll so a string of dry runs won’t wipe you out completely.
When first learning the bonus rounds and testing their profit potential, begin with smaller bonus buys rather than max bets out the gates. Once you better understand the math behind buy costs versus likely payouts, you can adjust bet sizes accordingly.
Before you start instantly buying bonuses, play the base game for a while and try to trigger the free spins first. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the features, payouts and get a feel for volatility before paying to access them.
Practice on free play Dead or Alive 2 before risking real money. Demo mode is the perfect way to test bonus buy strategies and find the optimal settings that match your preferences without any worries over buy costs, win rates or bankroll.
One key aspect to understand is that the value or “profitability” of Dead or Alive 2 bonus buys can vary dramatically based on certain conditions.
Like any slot, DoA2’s published 96.8% RTP percentage is a theoretical number meant to reflect very long term expected payouts over millions and millions of spins. In the short run, actual return rates can swing wildly.
On top of that, Dead or Alive 2 has high variance in the base game and bonuses. When factoring in the hefty buy-in investment required and potential to burn through cash quickly without hits…whether bonus buys are “+EV” during a particular session comes down to unpredictable luck.
One factor that does impact the math behind profitable bonus buy sessions is casino incentives. For example, many operators offer “Cashback” deals on certain slots that return 10-25% of losses back over a fixed timeframe.
When chasing big wins under these promos, a bonus buy heavy approach becomes +EV. Even if you don’t profit directly from the buys themselves, cashback will recoup losses to minimize risk.
DoA2 buy strategies can also take advantage of sites with “No Wagering Requirements” on bonuses, or that permit bonus funds to be used on feature buys. This essentially adds a layer of “free” money to boost your balance for buys.
Dead or Alive 2 provides slot fans, thrill gamblers and high rollers alike with an exhilarating Old West adventure packed with groundbreaking features. The bonus buy injects turbocharged action by allowing you to instantly access one of three elaborate free spins rounds at the click of a button.
While costly, DoA2’s mobile-friendly bonus buy feature also supplies perhaps the most pure and transparent example of frenetic slot volatility. Wins can skyrocket up to 100,000x+ your wager…but rapid dry spells carry equally devastating balance busting potential.
To access the DoA2 bonus buy, simply click the “Buy Bonus” button located underneath the spin button. This allows you to instantly purchase access to one of three free spins bonus rounds.
There are three options – Old Saloon (100x bet cost), Train Heist (150x bet), and High Noon Saloon (200x bet). Each features distinct special modifiers and win potential up to 111,111x your wager.
Yes, while guaranteeing bonus access, you must invest a set multiple of your trigger bet upfront. Returns aren’t guaranteed, so dry runs or extended losing streaks can drain your bankroll’s value. Proper strategy is crucial.
Yes! We strongly recommend first exploring the DoA2 demo mode. This provides unlimited free spins and access to bonus buys allowing full experimentation without any actual monetary losses.
In addition to smart money management, casino incentives like cashback offers on losses improve bonus buy math dramatically by recouping funds even during dry spells. Maximizing promotions is key.