The Power Play feature, developed by Blueprint Gaming, is a branding for a specific high-cost, enhanced gameplay option that allows players to significantly modify a slot’s payout profile and volatility in the base game. It functions similarly to bet88.com other providers’ “Super Stake” or “Ante Bet” options but is typically tied to activating special enhanced reels or increasing the frequency and value of collect-and-win symbols.
Unlike a simple “Feature Buy” that guarantees entry to a bonus round, Power Play is an optional, recurring side bet that dramatically raises the stake for every spin in exchange for persistent in-game advantages.
How the Power Play Mechanic Works
The core function of the Power Play mechanic is to increase the cost per spin to unlock a statistically more volatile and potentially more rewarding base game experience.
- Increased Wager: When a player activates Power Play, their total bet per spin typically increases by a significant multiplier (e.g., $50\%$ to $100\%$ of the base bet).
- Enhanced Reels/Features: In exchange for the higher cost, the game often activates one or more of the following permanent modifications for every spin while Power Play is active:
- Higher Symbol Density: The virtual reel strips may be swapped for versions with a higher concentration of premium or Wild symbols.
- Active Collect Symbols: In games featuring Cash Collect or Lock & Spin mechanics, Power Play often activates the “Collect” symbol more frequently, or guarantees its appearance on a specific reel, making it easier to trigger instant cash awards from money symbols.1
- Multiplier Activation: It may activate a constant, low-level multiplier or increase the chance of triggering random reel modifiers.
- Focus on Base Game: The key difference from a Feature Buy is that Power Play operates solely within the base game, aiming to make every single spin more impactful and volatile, rather than just skipping to the main Free Spins bonus.
Strategic Impact on Player Experience
For the player, activating Power Play is a tactical decision to shift the slot’s math model away from frequent, small wins toward higher-risk, concentrated payouts.
- Volatility Increase: The mechanic injects massive volatility into the base game. Players must accept a higher cost per spin and a greater risk of long losing streaks in exchange for a statistically improved chance of landing a massive single-spin payout or a quick trigger of the slot’s primary bonus feature.
- RTP Adjustment: In many cases, the mathematical model behind the Power Play option is certified at a slightly higher Return to Player (RTP) percentage than the standard base game. The logic is that the high cost of the side bet concentrates wagers into the most volatile, highest-returning segments of the game’s cycle. Players are given a marginal long-term statistical benefit for taking on extreme session-to-session volatility.
- Target Audience: The feature is primarily designed for high-risk players who seek explosive wins and are willing to pay a premium to actively enhance the chance of accessing a game’s top-end potential, often preferring to avoid the extended wait of a low-variance base game.
Power Play in Blueprint’s Portfolio
Blueprint Gaming utilizes the Power Play branding across various titles, often integrating it with its established mechanics and franchises.2
- Jackpot King: Power Play may be featured on slots that also include the Jackpot King progressive network, providing a high-variance path to accessing the jackpot’s Wheel King feature.
- Example Titles: The feature is frequently seen in various incarnations of established franchises, such as titles in the King Kong Cash or Eye of Horus series, and often appears alongside their “Power 5” (five reels) or “Win Stepper” (ladder progression) sub-brands.3
- Crossover Mechanics: In games BET88 like Cash Strike Power Force 5, the Power Play mechanic is used to enhance the Cash Collect feature, ensuring the expensive side-bet directly improves the odds of a high-value money-symbol collection.