Book of Dead is a high-volatility Egyptian-themed slot machine developed by Play'n GO, featuring 5 reels, 10 paylines, and an adventurous explorer theme inspired by ancient Egypt. Released in 2016, it has become one of the most popular online slots globally.
Book of Dead has established itself as one of the most iconic slot machines in online casino history. Developed by Play'n GO and released in 2016, this Egyptian adventure slot follows the fearless explorer Rich Wilde as he searches for ancient treasures hidden within pharaoh tombs. The game combines stunning visual design, atmospheric sound effects, and high-volatility mathematics to create an engaging experience that has captivated millions of players worldwide.
The slot's enduring popularity stems from its perfect balance of simplicity and excitement. While the core gameplay mechanics are straightforward enough for beginners, the high-variance nature and substantial win potential keep experienced players returning. The maximum payout of 5,000 times the bet amount represents life-changing money for many players, particularly when combined with the expanding symbol feature during free spins.
Book of Dead operates on a 5-reel, 3-row configuration with 10 fixed paylines. The game's return to player percentage stands at 96.21%, which positions it slightly above the industry average for online slots. This RTP figure represents the theoretical return over millions of spins and indicates a relatively player-friendly mathematical model.
The volatility rating is classified as high, meaning wins occur less frequently but tend to be more substantial when they land. This variance profile appeals to players who prefer the excitement of chasing larger payouts rather than accumulating small, frequent wins. The hit frequency, while not officially published by Play'n GO, is estimated at approximately 1 in 3.5 spins based on extensive player data.
The betting structure accommodates players across all budget levels. The minimum bet starts at 0.01 per spin, making it accessible for casual players and those testing strategies. The maximum bet reaches 100 per spin, providing sufficient action for high rollers seeking substantial stakes. Players can adjust both coin value and bet level to customize their total wager.
Each payline accepts one coin, and with 10 fixed lines, the coin configuration directly determines the total bet amount. This transparent betting system makes it easy for players to understand exactly how their stake is distributed across the reels.
The symbol hierarchy in Book of Dead follows traditional slot conventions with a mix of high-value thematic icons and lower-value card symbols. Understanding the paytable is essential for recognizing valuable combinations and managing expectations during gameplay.
Rich Wilde himself serves as the highest-paying regular symbol, awarding 5,000 coins for five of a kind on a payline. This represents the maximum base game win and occurs when five explorer symbols land across a single payline with maximum bet. The golden pharaoh statue ranks second, paying 2,000 coins for a five-symbol combination. The Anubis deity symbol and the bird god complete the premium symbol set, offering 750 and 750 coins respectively for maximum combinations.
The card symbols Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten form the lower-paying tier. While these symbols appear more frequently on the reels, their payouts are considerably smaller. Five Aces pay 150 coins, while the remaining card symbols decrease incrementally down to 100 coins for five Tens. These symbols primarily serve to maintain game momentum between larger wins.
The Book of Dead itself functions as both the wild and scatter symbol, a dual role that significantly impacts gameplay dynamics. As a wild, it substitutes for all other symbols to complete winning combinations. As a scatter, it triggers the free spins bonus round and pays regardless of payline position. Three, four, or five Book symbols award 2, 20, or 200 times the total bet respectively, in addition to triggering free spins.
The free spins round represents the primary bonus feature and the main source of substantial wins in Book of Dead. Triggering this feature requires landing three or more Book scatter symbols anywhere on the reels during a base game spin. The number of scatters determines the initial award: three Books grant 10 free spins, four Books award 10 free spins plus a scatter win, and five Books provide 10 free spins plus a larger scatter payout.
Before the free spins begin, the game randomly selects one regular symbol to act as a special expanding symbol throughout the bonus round. This chosen symbol expands to cover entire reels when it appears, and it pays on any position across the reels rather than requiring left-to-right payline alignment. This mechanic dramatically increases win potential, especially when high-value symbols are selected.
The expanding symbol feature fundamentally changes the mathematics of the bonus round. When the special symbol lands on a reel during free spins, it expands to fill all three positions on that reel before pays are evaluated. Importantly, the expanded symbol pays scatter-style, meaning it awards wins based on the total number visible across all reels rather than requiring consecutive reel placement.
The most valuable scenario occurs when Rich Wilde is selected as the expanding symbol. Landing this symbol on three or more reels during free spins can result in wins approaching the 5,000x maximum payout. Even mid-tier symbols like the pharaoh or Anubis can produce wins exceeding 100x the bet when they expand across multiple reels.
Book of Dead operates on a standard 5-reel, 3-row grid with 10 fixed paylines. Players win by landing matching symbols from left to right on active paylines. The game uses certified random number generator technology to ensure fair outcomes on every spin.
The slot features a gamble option after any win, allowing players to double their winnings by correctly guessing card color. The main attraction is the free spins bonus round, triggered by landing three or more Book scatter symbols, which awards 10 free spins with a randomly selected expanding symbol.
Players can retrigger additional free spins during the bonus round by landing three or more Book scatters on any free spin. Each retrigger awards an additional 10 free spins with the same expanding symbol that was initially selected. There is no limit to the number of retriggers possible, though the probability of consecutive retriggers decreases with each occurrence. The expanding symbol remains constant throughout all retriggered spins, maintaining consistency in the bonus round structure.
After any winning spin in the base game, players have the option to gamble their winnings in a double-or-nothing side game. This feature presents a face-down playing card and asks players to predict whether it will be red or black. A correct guess doubles the win amount, while an incorrect guess forfeits the entire win from that spin.
Players can gamble up to five consecutive times on a single win, potentially multiplying their original payout by 32x. However, the cumulative risk increases with each successful gamble, and most experienced players recommend using this feature sparingly. The gamble option can be particularly tempting after moderate wins, but the 50-50 odds mean long-term expected value remains neutral before accounting for the risk of losing the original win.
While Book of Dead is a game of chance with outcomes determined by random number generation, strategic bankroll management can significantly impact the playing experience. The high volatility nature of this slot requires a patient approach and sufficient bankroll depth to weather inevitable dry spells between bonus rounds.
A common recommendation for high-volatility slots is to ensure your bankroll can sustain at least 100 to 150 spins at your chosen bet level. This provides adequate opportunity to trigger the free spins feature, which occurs on average every 100 to 150 spins based on the scatter symbol probability. Players with smaller bankrolls should reduce bet sizes accordingly rather than risk depleting funds before reaching the bonus round.
Setting clear win and loss limits before beginning play helps maintain discipline during both winning and losing streaks. Many successful players implement a stop-loss limit of 50% of their session bankroll and a win goal of 100% to 200%. Once either threshold is reached, the session ends regardless of emotional impulses to continue. This approach prevents the common pitfall of returning all winnings to the casino during extended play.
Play'n GO developed Book of Dead using HTML5 technology, ensuring seamless performance across desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. The mobile version retains all features of the desktop game, including the free spins bonus, gamble feature, and full paytable. The user interface adapts intelligently to smaller screens, with touch-optimized controls replacing mouse-based interactions.
The game loads quickly even on moderate mobile data connections, typically requiring less than 5 seconds to initialize on 4G networks. Battery consumption is optimized through efficient coding, allowing for extended play sessions without excessive device drain. Both iOS and Android devices support the game through mobile browsers, eliminating the need for app downloads.
Book of Dead exists within a crowded category of Egyptian-themed slots, most notably competing with Book of Ra from Novomatic. While Book of Ra established the expanding symbol free spins formula, Book of Dead refined the concept with improved graphics, smoother gameplay, and wider availability at international online casinos.
The RTP of 96.21% positions Book of Dead favorably against many competitors. Book of Ra Deluxe offers 95.10% RTP, while Legacy of Dead, a sequel from Play'n GO, maintains the same 96.21% figure. The volatility profile remains consistently high across these titles, though subtle differences in symbol distribution create varying hit frequencies.
Book of Dead is available at hundreds of licensed online casinos across multiple jurisdictions. Players should prioritize casinos holding valid licenses from reputable regulatory bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, or equivalent jurisdictions. Licensed casinos ensure fair gameplay, secure financial transactions, and responsible gambling protections.
Many casinos offer Book of Dead as part of welcome bonus packages, frequently including free spins on this specific game. However, players should carefully review wagering requirements attached to bonuses, as these terms significantly impact the practical value of promotional offers. Typical wagering requirements range from 30x to 50x the bonus amount before winnings become withdrawable.
Book of Dead has earned its status as a modern slot classic through a combination of engaging theme, high win potential, and mathematically sound design. The 96.21% RTP and high volatility profile create an experience that appeals to players seeking substantial payouts rather than frequent small wins. The free spins feature with expanding symbols provides the primary excitement and win potential, capable of delivering payouts up to 5,000 times the bet.
The game's accessibility across all devices, straightforward mechanics, and transparent paytable make it suitable for both newcomers and experienced slot players. While the high variance requires patience and disciplined bankroll management, the potential rewards justify the volatility for players who understand and accept the mathematical realities of high-variance slots.
For players interested in Egyptian-themed slots with proven track records and fair mathematics, Book of Dead represents an excellent choice. Its enduring popularity nearly a decade after release testifies to the quality of Play'n GO's design and the timeless appeal of the ancient Egypt adventure theme.
Book of Dead has a return to player percentage of 96.21%, which is slightly above the industry average for online slots. This figure represents the theoretical return over millions of spins.
Free spins are triggered by landing three or more Book scatter symbols anywhere on the reels during a base game spin. Three scatters award 10 free spins with a randomly selected expanding symbol.
The maximum win potential is 5,000 times your total bet amount. This typically occurs during free spins when high-value expanding symbols land across multiple reels.
Yes, Book of Dead is fully optimized for mobile play on both iOS and Android devices. The HTML5 version works seamlessly through mobile browsers without requiring app downloads.
Book of Dead is classified as a high-volatility slot, meaning wins occur less frequently but tend to be more substantial when they land. This variance profile suits players with patience and adequate bankroll depth.
Rich Wilde, the explorer character, is the most valuable expanding symbol as it offers the highest payouts. However, mid-tier symbols like the pharaoh or Anubis also produce significant wins when expanded across multiple reels.
Play Book of Dead at these licensed and regulated online casinos offering secure gameplay and competitive bonuses.
Play'n GO's direct sequel to Book of Dead maintains the same RTP and volatility while introducing subtle gameplay refinements and updated graphics for a fresh Egyptian adventure experience.
Explore the full range of Rich Wilde adventure slots from Play'n GO, including Aztec Idols, Pearls of India, and Tome of Madness, each offering unique themes and bonus features.
The iconic slot continues to rank among the top ten most-played games at major online casinos worldwide, demonstrating enduring player appeal.
A leading casino group announced a month-long tournament featuring Book of Dead with a prize pool exceeding 100,000 in cash and bonuses.
The developer confirmed that the original game mathematics and RTP remain unaltered, maintaining the authentic experience players expect from this classic title.