Book of Dead review

Q: What is Book of Dead RTP?

The default RTP is 96.21%. Some operators run lower RTP builds, so check the paytable in-game.

Q: How does the expanding symbol work?

Before the 10 free spins begin one symbol is randomly chosen. Whenever it lands it expands to cover the full reel and pays across positions like a scatter.

Provider: Play'n GO · RTP 96.21% · High volatility

Launch demo

Free · virtual balance · no registration

Book of Dead by Play'n GO is the Egyptian adventure that defined the whole "book" genre for a generation of players. Explorer Rich Wilde hunts for treasure across a classic 5x3 grid with 10 adjustable lines, and everything hangs on one moment in the free spins: the expanding special symbol. When it lands right, this modest-looking slot can pay 5000x.

RTP96.21% (default)
ProviderPlay'n GO (2016)
VolatilityHigh
Max win5000x your stake
Layout5x3 reels, 10 adjustable lines

Type

Video slot

Max win

5000x stake

Min stake

Low, from a few rand

Key feature

Expanding symbol + gamble

Mobile

Browser, no install

How Book of Dead works

The base game pays left to right across up to 10 lines, with Rich Wilde and the pharaoh as the premium symbols and playing-card values filling the rest. The golden Book is both wild and scatter: it substitutes for any symbol, and three or more anywhere on the reels award 10 free spins. There is also an optional gamble feature after a win, where you can guess a card colour or suit to double or quadruple it.

The bonus is where Book of Dead earns its reputation. Before the free spins start, one special symbol is chosen at random. During the round, whenever that symbol appears it expands to cover the entire reel and pays across positions even when not adjacent, like a scatter. Draw a high-value symbol and hit it on several reels, and that is how the 5000x ceiling is reached. Scatters can also retrigger more spins.

Pros

Simple, iconic mechanic that never gets old
One expanding symbol can pay across the whole screen
Optional gamble feature for extra risk
Free demo to practise the bonus

Cons

High volatility: bonuses can land flat
A low-value expanding symbol pays little
The base game offers few thrills between books

How to play

Open the free demo above and try the reels on virtual balance.
Set the number of active lines and your coin value per line.
Spin and aim for three or more Book scatters to trigger 10 free spins.
In the bonus, watch the randomly chosen expanding symbol fill reels for big pays.

Features and payouts

Free spins

Three or more Book scatters award 10 spins, with retriggers possible.

Expanding symbol

One random symbol expands to cover a full reel in the bonus.

Gamble feature

Guess card colour or suit to double or quadruple a win.

10x50x250x1000x5000x max

Note: results come from a certified RNG, and the expanding symbol is drawn at random. The gamble feature has no memory or edge in your favour, and no paid "strategy" can beat the built-in RTP.

Where to play Book of Dead for real

The demo is for practice; real stakes need a licensed operator. Our pick is lilbet: Book of Dead in the lobby, quick ZAR withdrawals via EFT, and a welcome bonus for new players.

Play Book of Dead at lilbet →

Kagiso Sithole
Slots reviewer · tested Book of Dead on demo and for real

4.5

Verdict: the original book slot still sets the standard. The single expanding symbol keeps every bonus tense, and 5000x is plenty of top-end from such a clean design. It is high variance and the base game is quiet, but for a straightforward, proven Egyptian adventure it is hard to beat.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play Book of Dead for free?

Yes. The demo on this page runs on virtual balance with no registration. Real wins need a money stake.

What is Book of Dead RTP?

The default RTP is 96.21%. Some operators run lower-RTP builds, so check the paytable inside the game.

What is the max win?

The maximum win is 5000x your stake, reached when the expanding symbol fills reels during free spins.

How does the expanding symbol work?

Before the 10 free spins begin one symbol is chosen at random. Whenever it lands it expands to cover the full reel and pays across positions like a scatter.

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Responsible gaming

Book of Dead is entertainment, not a way to make money. Play only with money you can afford to lose, set your limits early and never chase losses. Strictly for players aged 18 and over.