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Read Full BioRich Wilde’s Book of Dead slots first appeared online in 2016, thanks to Swedish iGaming developers Play’n GO, the creative force behind this beloved title. The game was an instant classic – a worthy tribute to Novamatic’s evergreen Book of Ra.
More than a decade later, Book of Dead is still a top ten online slot. The game’s perfectly balanced blend of high volatility and innovative gameplay, combined with stunning audio and fabulous graphics, keeps irony alive – this game is anything but dead.
Key Beats
- Book of Dead is a classic high-volatility slot from Play’n GO that first launched in 2016 and is still one of the most popular games today.
- The slot has a 96.21% RTP and offers big win potential of up to 5,000x your stake, especially during free spins with expanding symbols.
- The Tomb symbol works as both wild and scatter, unlocking free spins, while bankroll management is key to enjoying the game responsibly.
How to Play Book of Dead: Strategic Approach
The Book of Dead online slot is a 5-reel, 3-row format game with ten adjustable paylines. You can choose how many paylines to activate for each spin. For maximum win potential, playing all ten is the best strategy. You need to line up a winning combination along one of the ten paylines to win.
- Set your budget: Decide how much you want to spend before you start and stick to it. Book of Dead is high volatility, so wins can be unpredictable.
- Choose your paylines: The game has 10 adjustable paylines. For the best chance at winning combinations, activate all 10.
- Pick your bet size: Small bankroll → choose lower stakes with all 10 paylines active. Larger bankroll → raise your line bet carefully, but don’t overdo it.
- Spin the reels: Hit spin and let the game run. Results are random and based on RTP — there’s no strategy to change the outcome.
- Adjust stakes wisely: Some players raise bets after a win or lower them after free spins to stretch playtime. This won’t change your odds, but can help manage pacing.
- Play in short sessions: Keep your sessions focused and short. This helps you stay disciplined and avoid emotional decisions when the game swings up or down.
There is no real gameplay strategy you can engage in to improve your outcome when playing slots. It’s pure chance balanced against the game’s RTP.
Book of Dead Payout Structure: RTP and Volatility
Book of Dead’s RTP (Return to Player) is 96.21%, which is comparable to many popular online slots. This figure represents the average amount players can expect to win back over time. In effect, for every $100 wagered, $96.21 is theoretically returned to the player.
However, Book of Dead is a high volatility game, resulting in:
- Infrequent wins: You might spin 10, 20, or even more rounds without landing a significant prize.
- Significant win potential: When wins occur, especially during free spins with expanding symbols, they can be sizable depending on your stake.
- Large session swings: Your balance might dip for long periods before surging dramatically. This can be exciting; however, it’s not ideal if you’re playing on a tight budget or expecting regular small wins.
Book of Dead is perfect for risk-tolerant players who enjoy the thrill of potential big wins, experienced players who understand bankroll management, and fans of free spins.
Book of Dead Symbols
There are several cool symbols in this game that it pays to be aware of – so listen up!
| Category | Symbols | Payout/Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Value Symbols | Rich Wilde (Explorer), Pharaoh, Anubis, Horus | Largest payouts | Appear less frequently |
| Low-Value Symbols | Playing cards (10, J, Q, K, A) | Smaller payouts | Appear more often |
| Tomb Symbol | Acts as Wild and Scatter | – Wild: Substitutes for any symbol to complete a win – Scatter: Land 3+ to trigger free spins | Central feature of the game |
| Symbol Frequency | High-value vs low-value | High-value symbols = bigger wins but rare Low-value = smaller but steady payouts | Balances risk and reward |
While high-value symbols pay better, they appear less frequently. That’s the gamble: do you chase the big win or settle for more consistent low-tier payouts?
The Book of Dead Free Spins: Getting the Max
The Book of Dead Free Spins bonus round is the key to the game’s success. If it hits, make the most of it.
Trigger the Bonus Round Efficiently
To unlock the bonus round, you must land three or more Tomb scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. When they hit, the Book of Dead is revealed and ten free spins are triggered.
If you are lucky enough to hit three more scatter symbols during the Book of Dead bonus round, you get ten extra free spins. The Tomb scatter symbol also acts as a wild symbol.
Expand Symbol Selection Strategy
Before the free spins start, a random symbol is selected to be the special expanding symbol throughout the free spin sequence. After prizes for regular winning combinations have been recognized, the special symbol may expand to cover all three positions on its reel.
High-value symbols (especially Rich Wilde) have massive potential here. Cross your fingers and hope to get Wilde!
Manage Free Spins for Maximum Payout
Don’t sit back during the bonus. Watch closely. If the expanding symbol is a high payer, consider adjusting your stake afterwards.
Book of Dead – Advanced Features
The Book of Dead also features many advanced options worth exploring. Let’s discuss.
Gamble Feature
If you love a gamble, the Book of Dead slots covers you. After any standard win in Book of Dead, you can activate the Gamble feature. It’s a double-or-nothing mini-game that gives you a shot at multiplying your winnings.
It’s simple, you’re shown a facedown card and asked to guess either the colour (red or black) to double your win, or the suit (hearts, spades, clubs, diamonds) to quadruple it. Guess right, and your prize is boosted instantly. Guess wrong, and you lose it all.
While it’s tempting to chase big multipliers, this feature is pure luck with no skill involved. It might be a fun way to spice up small wins, but (probably) best avoided after a significant win.
Auto Play and Bet Max
Book of Dead slots feature both Auto Play and Bet Max options. You can set Auto Play to spin up to 100 times unattended, stopping only when specific adjustable criteria are met. Bet Max automatically selects both the maximum number of coins and all ten paylines.
Be careful if you have set a high coin value. Bet Max will multiply it by 50x. The coin value is multiplied by five. This is then further multiplied by 10x. For example, if you set the coin value at just 20 cents, every spin will cost you $10 with Bet Max.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few mistakes that we all make, but they can be so easily avoided.
The pitfall of chasing losses
Chasing losses on the slots is always a bad idea. There’s no such thing as a ‘hot machine’; that’s a classic gambler’s fallacy. If you’re not hitting wins, don’t fall into the trap of increasing your bet to catch up. This rarely ends well in high-volatility games like this.
Misunderstanding RTP expectations
An RTP of 96.21% doesn’t mean you’ll win back 96 cents for every dollar spent. It’s an average, based on thousands of spins. Short-term play can vary wildly.
Poor bonus round management
Many players blow their free spins by failing to adjust their strategy. You want to make those spins count. You’ll find more information on bonus rounds further on in this guide.
Our Personal Experience With Book of Dead
Book of Dead is dead good. There’s a reason why this online slot has stood the test of time. It is five reels of classic, simple, yet practical and engaging gameplay that continues to captivate, delight, and entertain.
If you are new to the world of online slots, grab a torch and some weathered khaki and start digging; you will discover a treasure. It’s one of the most popular slot games out there, so it’s well worth checking out if you haven’t done so already.
Remember to stake sensibly, though, as despite all the positives that Book of Dead has to offer, there aren’t any guarantees of winning consistently in betting, and this slot game is no different on that front.
FAQs
The RTP of Book of Dead is 96.21%. This means the game returns an average of £96.21 for every £100 wagered over a long period. It’s a theoretical figure – actual results will vary in short sessions.
The maximum win in Book of Dead is 5,000x your stake. This occurs if you fill all five reels with the top-paying Rich Wilde symbol during free spins with expanding symbols active.
Yes, absolutely. Book of Dead is fully optimized for mobile and tablet play, offering smooth gameplay, fast loading, and full feature access on both iOS and Android devices.
