Book of Dead at a Glance
- Developer
- Play'n GO
- Release date
- January 2016
- Grid
- 5 reels × 3 rows
- How wins are formed
- 10 adjustable paylines
- RTP
- 96.21% (several lower versions also exist)
- Volatility
- High
- Maximum win
- 5,000x the stake
- Free spins
- 3+ Book symbols award 10 free spins
- Key feature
- Expanding symbol in free spins
- Extra options
- Gamble feature after a win; no bonus buy
Figures are based on information published for the game. Always check the information screen of the version you are playing, because the RTP can differ between casinos.
How Book of Dead Works
Book of Dead uses a five-by-three grid with 10 paylines. Players can choose to play fewer than all 10 lines, but any win on an inactive line does not pay. Wins are formed by matching symbols along an active line, starting from the leftmost reel.
The game follows adventurer Rich Wilde as he explores Egyptian tombs, with hieroglyph-covered reels, golden artwork and an atmospheric soundtrack.
Symbols
- Card ranks are the lower-paying symbols.
- Egyptian characters and figures, including Anubis, Osiris and a pharaoh, are the higher-paying symbols.
- Rich Wilde is the highest-paying symbol.
- The Book of Dead is both the wild and the scatter. It substitutes for all other symbols and triggers free spins. See Wild Symbols Explained and Scatter Symbols Explained.
The game's paytable lists all values.
Bonus Features
Free Spins
Landing three or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels triggers 10 free spins. Landing three or more Books again during the round awards 10 more spins.
Expanding Symbol
Before free spins begin, one standard symbol is chosen at random to be the special expanding symbol for the round. Whenever that symbol lands on enough reels to form a win, it expands to cover the whole of each reel it appears on, and the expanded symbols are paid across the paylines. The expanding symbol can pay even when the reels it lands on are not next to each other.
If a high-paying symbol such as Rich Wilde is chosen, the round has much greater potential. If a low-paying card symbol is chosen, the round is more likely to pay modestly. This is a big part of why results vary so much.
Gamble Feature
After any win in the base game, players can choose to gamble it. Guessing the colour of a hidden card doubles the win, and guessing the suit multiplies it by four. A wrong guess loses the win. The gamble feature does not improve the expected return and adds risk to money already won. See Slot Bonus Features Explained.
RTP and Volatility
The standard RTP is 96.21%, but Play'n GO also offers lower versions, some of them well below 96%, and each casino chooses which to use. This makes it especially important to check the RTP shown in the game's information screen before you play. See Pokies RTP Explained.
Book of Dead is rated high volatility. In practice:
- Base-game wins are often small
- Much of the game's potential depends on the free spins round
- The value of free spins depends heavily on which symbol is chosen to expand
- Long runs without a significant win are common
See Slot Volatility Explained and RTP vs Actual Slot Results.
Maximum Win
The maximum win is 5,000 times the stake. This is usually only possible in free spins with a high-paying expanding symbol filling the reels. Wins of this size are extremely rare and should never be expected.
Gameplay, Design and Mobile Play
Book of Dead has a simple, uncluttered design that has aged well. Its single main feature is easy to understand, and the moment the expanding symbol is revealed adds real anticipation. 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 helped popularise the "Book" format, in which a combined wild-scatter symbol triggers free spins with an expanding symbol. Many other games now use a similar design.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple, classic layout that is easy to learn
- Exciting expanding symbol feature in free spins
- Book symbol acts as both wild and scatter
- Free spins can be retriggered for 10 more spins
Cons
- High volatility, with long dry spells common
- Free spins can pay little if a low-value symbol is chosen
- Several lower RTP versions exist, some well below the standard figure
- The gamble feature adds risk to winnings
Who Might Like Book of Dead?
Book of Dead may appeal to players who prefer a straightforward payline game with one big feature and are comfortable with high volatility. Players who want frequent features or steady returns may find it slow. Every spin is random, and the house edge applies throughout.
Similar Games
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Big Bass Bonanzaa 10-payline game where most value is in free spins
Immortal Romanceanother classic with several free spins modesBrowse all titles in our Slot Game Reviews.
Playing Responsibly
High volatility and the gamble feature can both increase how quickly money is spent. Set a budget and time limit before you start, and stop when you reach them. 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.
