BuffaloDiamondvsBuffaloLink:WhichSlotMachineShouldYouPlay?
Buffalo Diamond is a Free Games game while Buffalo Link is a Must-Hit-By — different play style entirely.
Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Buffalo Diamond | Buffalo Link |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Aristocrat | Aristocrat |
| Mechanic | Free Games | Must-Hit-By |
| Risk Level | High | High |
| Trigger Display | Any free game meter at or above its threshold (30/90/150) | Play at 1,610+ on the counter |
| Recommended (when to sit) | When any of the three free game meters is at or above its threshold — 2x at 30+, 3x at 90+, or 4x at 150+… | 1610 |
| Exit Rule | Walk away if the counter resets or drops below the trigger threshold. | It is recommended to simply avoid checking this game due to the large swings of non-profitable payouts, unless you have a rare find with the #'s in 1600+. |
| Summary | This popular entry in the Buffalo franchise features a unique progressive system. Instead of jackpots, players build up three separate free games meters, each tied to a powerful win multiplier of 2x, 3x, or 4x for the bonus round. | As one of the most popular and widespread slots available, you'll find Buffalo Link in nearly every casino. This volatile machine combines classic all-ways-pays action with a Hold & Spin bonus. Its advantage play centers on a must-hit-by progressive. |
Buffalo Diamond
- Manufacturer
- Aristocrat
- Mechanic
- Free Games
- Risk Level
- High
- Trigger Display
- Any free game meter at or above its threshold (30/90/150)
- Recommended (when to sit)
- When any of the three free game meters is at or above its threshold — 2x at 30+, 3x at 90+, or 4x at 150+…
- Exit Rule
- Walk away if the counter resets or drops below the trigger threshold.
- Summary
- This popular entry in the Buffalo franchise features a unique progressive system. Instead of jackpots, players build up three separate free games meters, each tied to a powerful win multiplier of 2x, 3x, or 4x for the bonus round.
Buffalo Link
- Manufacturer
- Aristocrat
- Mechanic
- Must-Hit-By
- Risk Level
- High
- Trigger Display
- Play at 1,610+ on the counter
- Recommended (when to sit)
- 1610
- Exit Rule
- It is recommended to simply avoid checking this game due to the large swings of non-profitable payouts, unless you have a rare find with the #'s in 1600+.
- Summary
- As one of the most popular and widespread slots available, you'll find Buffalo Link in nearly every casino. This volatile machine combines classic all-ways-pays action with a Hold & Spin bonus. Its advantage play centers on a must-hit-by progressive.
When to play each
Buffalo Diamond
Free GamesSit when: When any of the three free game meters is at or above its threshold — 2x at 30+, 3x at 90+, or 4x at 150+…
Exit: Walk away if the counter resets or drops below the trigger threshold.
Read the Buffalo Diamond guideBuffalo Link
Must-Hit-BySit when: 1610
Exit: It is recommended to simply avoid checking this game due to the large swings of non-profitable payouts, unless you have a rare find with the #'s in 1600+.
Read the Buffalo Link guideBoth guides
Aristocrat
Buffalo Diamond
This popular entry in the Buffalo franchise features a unique progressive system. Instead of jackpots, players build up three separate free games meters, each tied to a powerful win multiplier of 2x, 3x, or 4x for the bonus round.
View full guide
Aristocrat
Buffalo Link
As one of the most popular and widespread slots available, you'll find Buffalo Link in nearly every casino. This volatile machine combines classic all-ways-pays action with a Hold & Spin bonus. Its advantage play centers on a must-hit-by progressive.
View full guide
Common questions
Neither machine is universally better — it depends on the state you find on the floor. Buffalo Diamond is a Aristocrat Free Games game, while Buffalo Link is a Aristocrat Must-Hit-By game. Read each machine's trigger value before you sit down: whichever is closer to its play-at threshold is the better play right now.
Both machines surface their trigger state on the cabinet itself. Buffalo Diamond: Any free game meter at or above its threshold (30/90/150). Buffalo Link: Play at 1,610+ on the counter. Compare visible meter against the recommended threshold in each guide.
Both Buffalo Diamond and Buffalo Link are commonly placed on US casino floors. Use our venue map at /casino-map to filter casinos by manufacturer (Aristocrat) and see which floors carry recent installs.
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