Book of Dead is an online pokie from Play'n GO, released in 2016. It follows Rich Wilde on a treasure hunt in Ancient Egypt. The most distinctive thing about it is the Book symbol, which acts as both wild and scatter, and can trigger free spins with a special expanding symbol. The default RTP is 96.21% and the maximum win is 5,000x your bet.
Book of Dead Pokie Guide
Play'n GO's 2016 high-volatility pokie with a 5,000x max win.
Quick facts
- Provider
- Play'n GO
- RTP (default)
- 96.21%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 5,000x
- Layout
- 5x3
- Lines / ways
- 10 paylines
- Bet range
- 0.10 – 50
- Released
- 2016
Theme, studio and what makes the format different
The game is set in Ancient Egypt, with Rich Wilde as the explorer. The studio is Play'n GO, a well-known provider. The layout is 5 reels by 3 rows, with 10 fixed paylines. The format is standard in terms of reels and lines, but the key difference is the Book symbol. It acts as both a wild and a scatter, which is unusual. When it appears, it can substitute for other symbols to form wins, and if you get three or more anywhere, it triggers free spins. This dual role is the main structural twist compared to a typical 5x3 pokie, where wilds and scatters are usually separate.
Bet range, controls and the paytable
To set up a spin in Book of Dead, first choose your bet using the bet selector. The minimum is $0.10 and the maximum is $50 per spin. The game is played on a 5x3 grid with 10 fixed paylines, meaning wins are read from left to right across these lines. The paytable and game info are accessible via the paytable or info button, usually located near the spin button. Once you've set your bet, press the spin button to start the round. There is no ante bet or bonus buy feature in this game, so the bet you set is the cost per spin. Adjust your bet size according to your bankroll and the game's high volatility.
Book of Dead in numbers: RTP, variance, max win
The default RTP is 96.21%. However, the game is available in versions with RTPs ranging from 84.18% up to 96.21%. A lower RTP means the house edge is higher. For example, at 84.18%, for every $100 wagered, the theoretical return is $84.18, compared to $96.21 at the default. The difference is $12.03 per $100. The max win is 5,000 times your stake. If you bet $1, that's a potential $5,000. Always check the RTP version in the game's info panel, as it can vary by casino.
Free spins, multipliers and specials
The key features are:
- Book symbol: acts as both wild and scatter. As a wild, it substitutes for other symbols to complete winning combinations. As a scatter, three or more trigger free spins.
- Free Spins: landing 3 or more scatters awards 10 free spins. The feature is retriggerable, meaning you can get an additional 10 spins by landing more scatters during the round.
- Special Expanding Symbol: at the start of the free spins, a symbol is chosen at random to be the special expanding symbol. During the round, when this symbol appears, it expands to cover the entire reel, potentially creating wins on multiple paylines.
- Gamble feature: after a win, you have the option to gamble it by guessing the colour or suit of a playing card. A correct colour doubles the win, and a correct suit quadruples it. The risk is losing the win if you guess wrong.
Bankroll maths: bet sizing for your session
Book of Dead is high volatility, meaning wins are less frequent but larger when they come. For a $50 session, a sensible bet is around $0.50 per spin, giving you 100 spins. For a $200 session, you could bet $2 per spin, also giving 100 spins. This approach gives you a reasonable number of chances to hit the free spins feature. There is no bonus buy or ante bet in this game, so you don't need to budget for those. Remember, no betting system changes the RTP; each spin is independent. Set a limit for your session and stick to it.
Free play first: what the demo shows you
The demo mode of Book of Dead uses play credits but operates with the same maths and RTP version as the real-money build at the casino where you open it. A demo session is useful for understanding the game's high volatility and how often the free spins feature triggers with the special expanding symbol. You can experiment with different bet sizes across the range, from $0.10 to $50, to see how they affect your session length and the frequency of wins. When you switch to real money, bets are in AUD and your limits matter, so a demo helps you gauge the game's pace before committing funds.
Where to play for real money in Australia
You can play Book of Dead for real money in AUD at Silk Road, Huff n More Puff. A demo mode is available there, so you can try the game for free first. When you play for real money, check the RTP version offered at that casino. Remember to play responsibly. If you need help, contact Gambling Help Online at 1800 858 858.
Verdict
Book of Dead suits players who enjoy high-volatility pokies with a simple but potentially rewarding free spins feature. The expanding symbol can lead to big wins, but the variance means you need a decent bankroll. It's not ideal for those who prefer frequent small wins. One downside is the RTP can vary, so you need to check which version you're playing.
Common questions
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What is the maximum number of free spins you can get?
You get 10 free spins initially, and you can retrigger additional 10 spins each time you land three or more scatters during the feature. There is no stated limit to retriggers, so theoretically you could get many spins in a single session.
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How does the special expanding symbol work?
At the start of the free spins, one symbol is chosen at random to be the special expanding symbol. When it appears on the reels during the feature, it expands to cover the entire reel, which can help create wins on multiple paylines.
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Is the gamble feature worth using?
The gamble feature is a side game where you guess the colour or suit of a card. It can double or quadruple your win, but you lose the win if you guess wrong. It's a high-risk option, and using it is a personal choice based on your risk tolerance.
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Can I play Book of Dead on my mobile?
Yes, the game is built with HTML5 technology, so it works on smartphones and tablets. You can play it in your mobile browser or through a casino app, as long as the casino offers it.
If you like this one, try these
Sun of Egypt 2 — Sun of Egypt 2 shares the Ancient Egypt theme and 5x3 layout with 10 paylines. It also has high volatility and a max win of 5,000x. However, it uses a Hold and Win feature with respins and fixed jackpots instead of expanding symbols.
Buffalo King — Buffalo King is a high-volatility pokie with a 6x4 grid and free spins that can be retriggered. Its max win is much higher at 93,750x. Unlike Book of Dead, it uses wild multipliers in free spins rather than an expanding symbol.
Release the Kraken — Release the Kraken is a high-volatility game from Pragmatic Play with a 5x4 layout and a max win of 10,000x. It features random modifiers and free spins with roaming wilds, contrasting with Book of Dead's expanding symbol and gamble feature.