How to Play Mine Slot
Last updated: January 2026
New to Mine Slot? This guide walks you through everything - from basic controls to bonus strategies. Takes about 5 minutes to read. For the quick version, see our main review.
1. Basic Controls
The interface is pretty straightforward once you know where things are. Here's the layout:
Bottom Control Bar
- Balance: Shows your current credits (left side)
- Bet: Your bet per spin. Use - and + to adjust. Minimum is $0.50
- Win: Shows winnings from the last spin (center)
- Spin Button: The big green button on the right. Press to play
- Settings: Gear icon for sound and auto-spin options
Left Side
- Buy Bonus: Yellow button. Pay 100x bet to jump straight to bonus round
Top Area
- Paytable panel: Shows symbols and their current values
- Menu: Top right corner for help and settings
Just want to play? Set your bet, hit spin, and watch what happens. The game mechanics will start making sense after a few rounds. Try the free demo to practice without risking money.
2. Understanding Pickaxes
Pickaxes are the main reel symbols. Each one has a durability value - that's how many blocks it can break when it lands.
| Pickaxe | Durability | How Often | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Wooden |
1 | Common | Breaks one block per hit |
 Stone |
2 | Common | Can break through tougher blocks |
 Golden |
3 | Uncommon | Good for medium blocks |
 Enchanted |
5 | Rare | The best. Can break almost anything |
Special Symbols
- TNT: Explodes and clears multiple blocks in a 3×3 area around impact. Great for breaking through tough blocks. Doesn't use durability - just detonates once.
- Ender Eye (Bonus): Collect 5 of these across spins to trigger the Block Bonus round. Progress carries over between spins.
After each spin, pickaxes that landed on the reels fall down onto the block field. They mine blocks until their durability runs out. Higher durability = more blocks destroyed = more winnings.
Treasure Chests
At the bottom of the block field sit 5 treasure chests. When a pickaxe reaches and opens a chest, you get a random bonus payout. Chests add an extra reward layer beyond regular block mining. See our review verdict for how often these pay out in practice.
3. Block Types & Payouts
The 5×7 grid below the reels is filled with blocks. Different blocks have different values and toughness.
| Block | Durability to Break | Payout Level |
|---|---|---|
| Dirt | 1 hit | Low - any pickaxe works |
| Stone | 1-2 hits | Low-Medium |
| Ore | 2 hits | Medium - Stone+ pickaxe recommended |
| Gold | 3 hits | High - Golden+ pickaxe recommended |
| Diamond | 4 hits | Very High - need multiple pickaxes or Enchanted |
| Obsidian | 5 hits | Maximum - only Enchanted breaks in one spin |
When a pickaxe hits a block, it deals damage equal to its durability. If that damage equals or exceeds the block's toughness, the block breaks and you get paid. Otherwise, the block takes partial damage for the next hit. This is why the Block Bonus is so important - damage persists!
4. Bonus Features
Block Bonus (Free Spins)
This is the main bonus round. You trigger it by landing Ender Eye symbols on the reels. Once triggered:
- You get 4 free spins
- Blocks DON'T reset between spins - damage carries over
- This means you can chip away at diamond and obsidian blocks over multiple spins
- Most of your big wins will come from this feature
Buy Bonus
Don't want to wait for Ender Eyes? Pay 100x your bet to skip straight to the bonus round.
- At minimum bet ($0.50), it costs $50
- You also get multiplier chests (x5 and x10) added to the field
- High risk, high variance - you might win big or lose it all
Extra Chance
For 3x your bet, you can add more Ender Eye symbols to your current spin. Increases bonus trigger odds.
- At minimum bet, costs $1.50
- Useful if you're one symbol away from bonus
- No guarantee - still random
Payout Examples
Understanding what different spins actually pay helps set expectations. Here are typical scenarios at $0.50 bet:
Base Game Scenarios
Worst Case: All Wooden Pickaxes
Five Wooden Pickaxes land (1 durability each). They clear 5 Dirt blocks from the top row.
Typical payout: $0.05 - $0.15 (10-30% of bet)
This happens fairly often. Don't be surprised by many small or zero wins in base game.
Average Case: Mixed Pickaxes
Two Wooden, two Stone, one Golden. The pickaxes clear through Dirt, some Stone, maybe touch Ore.
Typical payout: $0.20 - $0.60 (40-120% of bet)
The most common outcome. Sometimes you win your bet back, often you don't.
Good Case: High Durability Pickaxes
One Enchanted (5), one Golden (3), rest Stone/Wooden. The Enchanted breaks through to Gold or Diamond.
Typical payout: $1.00 - $3.00 (200-600% of bet)
These spins feel great but don't happen every round. Maybe 1 in 15-20 spins.
Great Case: Multiple High Pickaxes + TNT
Two Enchanted pickaxes and a TNT land. TNT clears a 3x3 area of tough blocks, pickaxes dig deep.
Typical payout: $3.00 - $10.00+ (600-2000% of bet)
Rare but memorable. This is why base game isn't completely boring.
Bonus Round Scenarios
Disappointing Bonus
Four spins with mostly low-durability pickaxes. You chip away at middle blocks but never reach the bottom.
Typical payout: $5 - $15 (10-30x bet)
Happens more often than you'd hope. Not every bonus is a winner.
Solid Bonus
Mix of pickaxes across 4 spins. Damage accumulates. You break through to Diamond row, maybe hit a chest.
Typical payout: $20 - $50 (40-100x bet)
This is what a "good" bonus feels like. Covers many losing spins.
Excellent Bonus
High-durability pickaxes in most spins. Clear through to Obsidian, hit multiple chests, maybe land multipliers.
Typical payout: $75 - $200+ (150-400x bet)
The dream scenario. Doesn't happen every bonus, but when it does, it's satisfying.
These payouts are approximate examples based on gameplay experience, not guaranteed returns. Every spin is random. You might get 10 disappointing bonuses in a row, or you might hit an excellent one on your first trigger. That's variance.
Your First Session: Step by Step
Here's exactly what to do when you first load Mine Slot:
Step 1: Observe the Interface (30 seconds)
Before spinning, look at the screen. Notice the 5 reels at the top, the block field below, the Buy Bonus button on the left, and the bet controls at the bottom. Find the spin button.
Step 2: Set Minimum Bet
Use the - button to reduce your bet to $0.50 (minimum). Don't increase it until you understand the game. At minimum bet, $100 gives you 200 spins - plenty to learn.
Step 3: Spin and Watch (Don't Just Click)
Press spin and actually watch what happens. See which pickaxe symbols land. Watch them fall onto the block field. Notice which blocks they break. Don't spam the spin button - observe.
Step 4: Check Your Ender Eye Progress
After a few spins, look for the Ender Eye counter (usually bottom right or near the reels). It shows how many you've collected toward the bonus (need 5 total).
Step 5: Play 50 Spins Without Extras
Don't use Extra Chance or Buy Bonus for your first 50 spins. Just play the base game. Get a feel for win frequency and pickaxe distribution.
Step 6: Experience a Natural Bonus
Keep playing until you trigger the bonus naturally by collecting 5 Ender Eyes. Watch carefully - blocks don't reset between the 4 free spins. This is where the game's depth shows.
Step 7: Evaluate and Decide
After 100-150 spins, you should understand the core mechanics. Now decide: Do you enjoy this enough to continue? If playing with real money, is your remaining budget within your limits? If not enjoying it or over budget, stop.
5. Betting Tips
Some things I learned from playing that might help:
Start Small
Use minimum bet until you understand how pickaxes and blocks interact. The mechanics aren't obvious at first - I wasted $20 before I really got it.
Know the Math
- RTP is 96% - Over time, you'll lose $4 for every $100 wagered. That's average for online slots.
- Volatility is medium - You'll see regular small wins with occasional bigger hits in bonus rounds.
About Buy Bonus
At 100x bet, it's expensive. I've bought it a few times with mixed results. If you're going to use it, make sure it's money you can afford to lose completely. The minimum payout isn't guaranteed to cover your cost.
Set Limits
- Decide your budget before you start
- Set a win goal - if you hit it, stop
- Set a loss limit - if you hit it, walk away
- Take breaks. Seriously. The game will be there later.
Read our full responsible gambling guide for more on staying safe.
Slots are entertainment, not income. The house always has an edge. Play for fun, not to make money. If it's not fun anymore, stop. Get help if needed.
6. Strategy Tips Based on Mechanics
Mine Slot isn't purely random like classic slots. The pickaxe-block system creates patterns you can understand. Here's how to think about each mechanic strategically:
Understanding Block Damage Accumulation
In base game, blocks reset every spin. But in Block Bonus, damage carries over. This changes everything:
- Base game reality: You need high-durability pickaxes (Golden or Enchanted) to break valuable blocks in a single spin. Wooden and Stone pickaxes mostly clear Dirt and Stone - low payouts.
- Bonus round advantage: Even weak pickaxes contribute because damage stacks. Four spins of chipping away can break Diamond and Obsidian blocks that seemed impossible in base game.
Pickaxe Distribution Awareness
Watch which pickaxes appear most often:
- Wooden & Stone (Common): You'll see these frequently. In base game, they mostly clear top layers. Don't expect big wins from these alone.
- Golden (Uncommon): These can reach mid-level blocks. When you land multiple Golden pickaxes in one spin, you have a shot at Ore and Gold blocks.
- Enchanted (Rare): The jackpot symbol. With 5 durability, it can break through to Diamond or Obsidian in base game. Landing 2-3 Enchanted pickaxes in one spin is when real wins happen.
- TNT: The equalizer. Ignores block durability entirely. A well-placed TNT on tough blocks gives value regardless of pickaxe luck.
Buy Bonus: When Does It Make Sense?
The Buy Bonus costs 100x your bet ($50 at minimum). Here's the math to consider:
- What you get: Instant 4 free spins + x5 and x10 multiplier chests added to the field
- Break-even: You need to win at least 100x to not lose money on the purchase
- Reality: Many bonus rounds pay less than 100x. The multiplier chests help, but they're not guaranteed to be hit
If you've played 150+ spins without triggering the bonus naturally and want to experience it, Buy Bonus lets you skip the wait. But purely for expected value? It's a gamble within a gamble. Only use money you've already mentally written off.
Extra Chance: Strategic Use
Extra Chance costs 3x your bet and adds more Ender Eye symbols to your current spin. Use it when:
- You have 3-4 Ender Eyes collected: You're close to triggering the bonus. Paying $1.50 (at min bet) to increase trigger odds can be worth it.
- You have 0-2 Ender Eyes: Probably not worth it. You're still far from the bonus and odds aren't in your favor.
Extra Chance doesn't guarantee a bonus trigger - it just adds more Ender Eye symbols to the spin. You might pay and still not trigger.
Session Strategy
Based on the game's medium volatility and mechanics:
Short Sessions (50-100 spins)
Expect mostly small wins from base game. You might trigger 0-1 bonuses. Don't chase - if you hit a bonus and win decently, consider stopping ahead.
Medium Sessions (100-200 spins)
More realistic for experiencing the game fully. You'll likely see 1-2 bonus rounds. Base game will chip away at your balance between bonuses - that's normal.
Extended Sessions (200+ spins)
Variance evens out more. You'll see the 96% RTP in action - expect to lose roughly $4 per $100 wagered over time. Big wins are possible but shouldn't be expected.
What You Can't Control
To be clear about what strategy can and can't do:
- RNG decides outcomes: No betting pattern changes the odds. The 96% RTP is fixed regardless of bet size or timing.
- Pickaxe distribution is random: You can't influence which pickaxes appear. Sometimes you'll get streaks of Wooden, sometimes multiple Enchanted.
- Ender Eye collection is random: No pattern predicts when you'll collect enough for the bonus.
Strategy in Mine Slot is about understanding the mechanics, managing your bankroll, and knowing when to walk away - not about "beating" the game. The house edge exists for a reason. Play for entertainment, not income.
Practice these concepts in demo mode before risking real money. And always set limits before you start.
Quick Questions
How long until I trigger a bonus?
Random. In my experience, somewhere between 80-120 spins on average. Sometimes faster, sometimes much slower. That's variance for you.
Should I use auto-spin?
Your call. Auto-spin makes the game faster but also makes it easier to burn through your budget without noticing. I prefer manual spins so I stay aware of my balance.
What's the minimum and maximum bet?
Minimum is $0.50. Maximum depends on the casino, but usually goes up to $100 or more per spin.
Can I change bet size during a session?
Yes, any time between spins. The RTP stays the same regardless of bet size.
How many Ender Eyes do I need for the bonus?
You need to collect 5 Ender Eye symbols total. Progress carries over between spins - you can see the counter at the bottom of the game screen. Once you hit 5, Block Bonus triggers.
Do blocks reset between regular spins?
Yes, in normal play the block field resets each spin. Only during Block Bonus (free spins) do blocks persist and keep their damage. That's why bonus rounds are where the big wins happen.
What are the multiplier chests in Buy Bonus?
When you buy the bonus for 100x bet, you get x5 and x10 multiplier chests added to the field. If a pickaxe reaches these special chests, any wins get multiplied by that amount. Regular bonus triggers don't include these multipliers.
Related Pages
Ready to Try It?
Practice in demo mode first - it's free and uses the same mechanics.