Lightning Storm by Evolution Gaming introduces a completely original concept in the world of live game shows, offering a fresh and exciting take on traditional formats. The game centers around a massive 39-segment vertical wheel, with players betting on where the wheel will land after each spin. What makes Lightning Storm unique, however, is its division between the base game and its electrifying Bonus games, along with a straightforward 1:1 payout option on the Leaf segment. No other live game show incorporates this same structure, making it a truly distinctive experience.
Players have the option to place bets on numbered segments, the Leaf segment, or even specialized betting options like the Storm Chaser and X Chaser. These bets can trigger various Bonus games, each with its own thrilling features and multipliers. Whether you’re hoping to land a big payout from the Leaf segment or take your chances in one of the high-energy Bonus games, Lightning Storm creates a captivating atmosphere where every spin holds the potential for something electrifying.
Once the betting phase ends, the host spins the wheel, and the outcome determines which segment it lands on. If the wheel stops on a segment with a Bonus symbol, players who placed a bet on that segment are taken to one of the Bonus games, where the fun really begins. The multipliers in these Bonus games can lead to even bigger rewards, further enhancing the excitement of each spin.
In Lightning Storm, the main excitement comes from the Bonus games that are triggered when the wheel lands on specific Bonus symbol segments. These Bonus games offer a variety of ways to win, with multipliers playing a central role in boosting potential payouts. But before diving into the Bonus games, it's worth noting the Leaf segment, which offers a 1:1 payout if the wheel lands there. While not a part of the Bonus game system, the Leaf segment can be a strategic choice for players looking for more predictable, lower-risk payouts while still participating in the game. It covers 19 segments of the wheel and offers a steady return that could complement higher-risk, higher-reward bets on Bonus games.
Hot Spot
The Hot Spot Bonus game is all about multipliers, featuring a giant multiplier wall with multipliers grouped by value. The multipliers are organized into a "Hot Spot," where the highest multipliers are placed next to each other. The key here is the multiplier that was applied to the segment during the spin. If a multiplier was assigned to the Hot Spot segment, it multiplies the entire set of multipliers before the Bonus game starts. The more strategic you are in your bets, the higher the chance to land this Bonus game, which can lead to massive rewards.
Battery Charger
In the Battery Charger Bonus game, players are tasked with charging a mega multiplier up to a potential 10,000x. The game revolves around rotating gears that activate a conveyor belt, on which batteries are placed. Some batteries have regular multipliers, and one has a Global multiplier that doubles the remaining battery multipliers. If a multiplier was assigned to this segment during the initial spin, all the regular multipliers on the conveyor belt are multiplied by that value before the game begins. Players must choose a tile on the wall, and as the game progresses, a 3x3 double area moves across the wall. If it lands on your chosen tile, your multiplier is doubled, making this Bonus game an intense way to win big.
Monster Mash
The Monster Mash Bonus game brings players into a lab setting where they create a monster with multipliers attached to three body parts: head, torso, and legs. Each body part features two types of multipliers: Regular (additive) and Global (multiplicative). After the lever is pulled, the reels spin, and the body parts combine to form a total multiplier. The key here is the mini wheel, which determines the fate of each battery as it falls onto a battery charger. If the wheel lands on a red spot, the battery explodes, and a new one takes its place. A green spot with a Regular multiplier gives players the multiplier attached to the battery, while a green spot with a Global multiplier doubles all remaining battery values. The Bonus ends when the wheel lands on a Regular multiplier or when all batteries are used up.
Lightning Storm
The Lightning Storm Bonus game is the most electrifying of them all, where players head to the roof to harvest the power of lightning. A grid of eight Regular and three Global multipliers is displayed on a giant billboard, with the potential for huge rewards. Players choose one of the three lightning strikes, which then moves across the grid, striking various multipliers. If a multiplier was applied to the segment during the spin, it boosts all the regular multipliers on the wall before the game begins. The strike results in a final multiplier based on where the lightning hits, with a maximum of 20,000x. The suspense builds as the lightning strikes three times, and players are awarded the final multiplier from their chosen strike.
Fireball
In the Fireball Bonus game, players watch as a ball is launched into an enclosure with 149 multiplier pockets. These pockets contain Regular and Double multipliers, adding an element of surprise and chance. If the ball lands in a Regular multiplier pocket, that multiplier is applied to the player's total win. If it lands on a Double multiplier, all Regular multipliers on the grid double in value, and the ball is launched again. If a multiplier was assigned to the Fireball segment during the spin, all Regular multipliers on the grid are multiplied by that value before the game begins. The maximum multiplier here is capped at 10,000x, and the potential for big wins keeps players on the edge of their seats.
Each of these Bonus games in Lightning Storm adds an extra layer of excitement and complexity to the overall gameplay, with the potential for massive multipliers to significantly boost winnings. Whether it’s the strategic planning of choosing the right Bonus game, or the unpredictability of where the lightning will strike, each spin promises a unique adventure.
In Lightning Storm, the payout structure depends on which segment the wheel lands on and the bets placed. Here’s an overview of the different options and their corresponding payouts:
Leaf Segment: The Leaf segment offers a 1:1 payout, meaning players receive a return equal to their bet when the wheel lands on this segment. This segment covers 19 positions on the wheel, and while it doesn’t have the excitement of the Bonus games, it provides a solid RTP of 97.44%. Not only is this RTP higher than the RTP for the numbered segments, but it's also better than the RTP of European Roulette, which stands at 97.30%. The Leaf bet is a safe, strategic option for players looking for more consistent returns, especially when compared to other available bets.
Numbered Bet Spots (1–20): The numbered bet spots offer payouts based on the segment the wheel lands on, with potential to win up to $500,000 on these spots. However, the RTP for these bets is 95.12%, which is notably lower than the Leaf segment. While these bets are the core of the game and offer large potential winnings, the lower RTP makes them less favorable for players seeking the best long-term value.
Storm Chaser and X Chaser Bets: Both Storm Chaser and X Chaser bets automatically cover more segments, with the Storm Chaser placing a bet on all segments with a Lightning Storm Bonus symbol and the X Chaser covering segments that received a multiplier. These bets come with an RTP of 95.13% (Storm Chaser) and 95.12% (X Chaser), which is quite low compared to other betting options. Despite the extra coverage they offer, these bets come with poor RTP and generally aren't the best strategic choice. It’s recommended to avoid these bets as they significantly lower your chances of a favorable return over time.
While the game offers flexibility in bet sizes, strategic players should be cautious of the higher-risk bets (Storm Chaser and X Chaser), as they provide lower RTP and should only be considered if you’re willing to accept the added risk. Players looking for more consistent returns should consider focusing on the Leaf bet or the numbered segments, which provide better value over time.
In Lightning Storm, players have a unique advantage: the ability to track the wheel results over time. With historical data available for the wheel results, players can create their own algorithms to analyze trends and make more informed predictions about where the wheel might land next. This gives a strategic edge to those willing to track and study the data, making it possible to anticipate potential outcomes in a way that’s not typically available in most other live game shows or casino games.
One of the most effective ways to approach the game is to use the Leaf segment strategically. Since the Leaf segment offers a 1:1 payout and an RTP of 97.44%, it provides a reliable way to cover a broad portion of the wheel. By betting on the Leaf segment, players can balance out their bets on the numbered sections (1–20) of the wheel, ensuring that even if a Bonus game doesn’t trigger, they still have a chance to secure a win or at least a push within a given region of the wheel.
Avoid Odd/Even Wagers: Wagering on Odd or Even numbers might seem like a simple way to get coverage, but this betting option significantly reduces the RTP of your wagers. The RTP for these bets sits around 95.12%, which is notably lower than the Leaf’s 97.44% RTP. Since there are no multipliers or Bonus games tied to Odd/Even outcomes, these bets don’t provide any additional value and are better left avoided.
Instead, focus on placing bets on the numbered segments that are most likely to be activated based on your analysis of previous wheel results. This way, you can concentrate your wagers on areas of the wheel where Bonus games are more likely to trigger, giving you better potential for larger payouts.
If you’re tracking the Lightning Storm Bonus symbols, you can also look to bet strategically on sections of the wheel with the highest concentration of these symbols. But remember, the Storm Chaser and X Chaser bets, while they provide automatic coverage of these symbols and multipliers, come with much lower RTPs, so they should be avoided unless you’re playing with a high-risk, high-reward mentality.
In short, data tracking is your key to making more informed decisions, and focusing on Leaf segment bets along with the numbered bet spots can give you the most consistent value. Avoid Odd/Even bets and be mindful of the higher-risk Storm Chaser and X Chaser wagers, which are less favorable in terms of long-term returns.
So go off to build and test your machine learning model before taking on Lightning Storm.