Big Bass Bonanza at a Glance
- Developer
- Pragmatic Play, with Reel Kingdom
- Release date
- December 2020
- Grid
- 5 reels × 3 rows
- How wins are formed
- 10 fixed paylines
- RTP
- 96.71% (95.67% and 94.5% versions also exist)
- Volatility
- Medium-high to high, depending on the source
- Maximum win
- 2,100x the stake
- Free spins
- 3, 4 or 5 scatters award 10, 15 or 20 free spins
- Key feature
- Fisherman wild collects fish cash values
- Multipliers
- 2x, 3x and 10x as the free spins feature levels up
Figures are based on information published for the game. Always check the information screen of the version you are playing, because the RTP and options can differ between casinos and regions.
How Big Bass Bonanza Works
Big Bass Bonanza uses a five-by-three grid with 10 fixed paylines. Wins are formed by matching symbols along a payline, starting from the first reel. The setting is a sunny lake, with fishing gear, fish and a cheerful soundtrack.
The base game is fairly simple. Most of the excitement, and most of the game's potential, is in the free spins feature.
Symbols
- Card ranks are the lower-paying symbols.
- Fishing-themed symbols, such as fishing gear and tackle, are the higher-paying symbols.
- Fish money symbols show a cash value. In the base game they act as regular symbols, but in free spins their values can be collected.
- The scatter is a bass caught on a hook. Three or more trigger free spins.
- The fisherman is the wild, but he only appears during free spins.
The game's paytable shows the value of each symbol and the possible fish values.
Bonus Features
Free Spins
Landing three, four or five scatters anywhere on the reels triggers 10, 15 or 20 free spins.
Fisherman Collect
During free spins, the fisherman appears as a wild symbol. Whenever he lands, he collects the cash values of every fish money symbol on the screen at the same time. If he lands on a spin with no fish, the game can sometimes add fish to the reels to give him something to collect.
Levelling Up
Each fisherman that lands during free spins is added to a meter above the reels. Collecting fishermen levels up the feature:
| Fishermen collected | Effect |
|---|---|
| 4 | 10 extra free spins, and fisherman collections are multiplied by 2x |
| 8 | 10 extra free spins, and collections are multiplied by 3x |
| 12 | 10 extra free spins, and collections are multiplied by 10x |
The feature can level up a maximum of three times. Reaching the 10x level is rare, but it is where the game's biggest wins come from. See Slot Multipliers Explained.
Bonus Buy
In some markets, players can buy their way into free spins, with a more expensive option for an enhanced version. Bonus buys are not available in every region, including the UK. Buying the bonus puts a large amount on one outcome. Read Slot Buy Features Explained before considering it.
RTP and Volatility
The highest published RTP is 96.71%, but Pragmatic Play also offers versions at around 95.67% and 94.5%, and each casino chooses which one to use. Check the game's information screen to see the version you are playing. See Pokies RTP Explained.
Volatility is described as medium-high or high, depending on the source. In practice:
- The base game pays mostly small line wins
- Free spins can pay very little if few fishermen and fish land together
- The largest wins depend on levelling up to the higher multipliers, which is uncommon
See Slot Volatility Explained and RTP vs Actual Slot Results.
Maximum Win
The maximum win is 2,100 times the stake. Reaching it is extremely rare and should not be treated as a realistic expectation.
Gameplay, Design and Mobile Play
Big Bass Bonanza has a bright, relaxed look and simple rules that make it easy to pick up. The fisherman's collection animation and the levelling meter add anticipation to the free spins round. The game runs smoothly on desktop and mobile devices, and a free-play demo is widely available. See Demo Slots Explained.
The game's success has led to many sequels and spin-offs with similar mechanics. Each has its own rules and figures, so check the details of the specific version you are looking at.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple, familiar payline layout
- Easy-to-understand collect feature
- Levelling meter adds a clear sense of progress in free spins
- Multipliers up to 10x in the bonus round
Cons
- Base game can feel quiet, with most value in free spins
- Free spins can pay very little without fishermen and fish landing together
- Maximum win is modest compared with some newer games
- Lower RTP versions are offered at some casinos
Who Might Like Big Bass Bonanza?
Big Bass Bonanza may appeal to players who like a light-hearted theme, simple rules and a bonus round with a clear sense of progression. Players who want frequent action in the base game may find it slow. Every spin is still random, and the house edge applies throughout.
Similar Games
Wolf Golda Pragmatic Play payline game with a cash-symbol Money Respin feature
Book of Deada classic 10-payline game with a single big free spins feature
Sweet Bonanzaa Pragmatic Play game where most of the value is also in free spinsBrowse all titles in our Slot Game Reviews.
Playing Responsibly
If you choose to play, set a budget and a time limit before you start, and stop when you reach them. Do not keep spinning in the hope of reaching the higher multiplier levels. Our guides on setting gambling limits and recognising gambling harm explain practical steps, and Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.
In Australia, it is illegal for companies to offer online casino games, including online pokies, to people in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
