Overview: Book of Dead at a Glance
Book of Dead is a 5-reel, 10-payline video slot developed by Play'n GO, set in an Ancient Egypt theme following adventurer Rich Wilde. Since its release, it has become a benchmark title — frequently used by casinos as a qualifying game for free spins promotions, which has contributed enormously to its popularity.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Developer | Play'n GO |
| RTP | 96.21% |
| Volatility | High |
| Reels / Paylines | 5 reels / 10 paylines |
| Min / Max Stake | £0.01 – £100 per spin |
| Maximum Win | Up to 5,000x stake |
RTP: What 96.21% Means in Practice
Book of Dead's published RTP of 96.21% is slightly above the industry average, placing it in the "good" range. However, given the game's high volatility, this RTP is heavily weighted toward the free spins bonus round. During the base game, the return feels lower — small wins are infrequent and the game can eat through stakes quickly between bonus triggers.
Some casino operators run a reduced-RTP version of this game. Always check the RTP displayed in the in-game information screen before playing to confirm which version is active at that casino.
Core Game Mechanics
The Book Symbol
The Book of Dead symbol acts as both the Wild and the Scatter. Landing 3 or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the free spins feature — the heart of the game's appeal.
Free Spins with Expanding Symbol
The free spins round awards 10 free spins, and before they begin, one symbol is randomly selected as a special expanding symbol. During the free spins, if the chosen symbol lands anywhere on a reel, it expands to fill the entire reel and pays across all 10 paylines.
The value of the free spins round depends heavily on which symbol is chosen as the expander:
- Rich Wilde (the explorer): Highest value — a full screen of Rich Wilde symbols at maximum stake delivers the game's top win.
- Anubis or Pharaoh symbols: High value — strong wins possible on multiple reels.
- Card symbols (J, Q, K, A): Lower value — disappointing free spin rounds when these are selected.
Retriggers
Landing 3 or more Book symbols during the free spins round retriggers 10 additional free spins, extending the bonus indefinitely in theory. Retriggers combined with a high-value expanding symbol are where the largest wins originate.
Volatility: What High Variance Means for Your Session
Book of Dead's high volatility means you should expect:
- Frequent base game spins that return nothing or very little.
- Long gaps between free spin triggers (patience is required).
- The potential for large swings — either an extended losing run or a significant bonus payout.
This game is not suitable for small bankrolls at higher stakes. To experience the variance properly, a session budget of at least 100x your stake is advisable.
Who Is Book of Dead Best Suited For?
- Players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward slot experiences.
- Those comfortable with long dry spells between bonus triggers.
- Players with a large enough bankroll relative to their stake to weather variance.
- Anyone who has received it as a free spins bonus — its popularity on promotions makes it widely accessible at low cost.
Summary
Book of Dead is a well-built, mechanically simple slot with a solid RTP and an exciting free spins round that genuinely delivers large wins when the right symbol expands. Its popularity is deserved — but go in with realistic expectations about the high volatility and base game frequency before you start.