| Developer | Play'n GO |
|---|---|
| Release date | 14 January 2016 |
| Theme | Ancient Egypt |
| Reels x rows | 5x3 |
| Paylines | 10 |
| RTP | 96.21% (top version) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 5,000x |
Book of Dead is the slot that made Play’n GO famous. Released in January 2016, it sent adventurer Rich Wilde into an Egyptian tomb and built its whole game around one idea borrowed from the land-based classic Book of Ra: a free spins round where one random symbol expands to fill entire reels. A decade later, it’s still one of the most played slots in Europe and a staple of casino free spins offers.
Book of Dead Free Demo and Review game details
Book of Dead game details
| Detail | Book of Dead |
|---|---|
| Developer | Play’n GO |
| Released | 14 January 2016 |
| Grid | 5×3, 10 paylines |
| RTP | 96.21% (top version; lower versions exist) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 5,000x your stake |
| Signature feature | 10 free spins with a random expanding symbol |
How Book of Dead plays
Wins pay left to right on ten paylines across a 5×3 grid. Card royals fill the bottom of the paytable, with Egyptian relics, gods and Rich Wilde himself at the top. The Book of Dead symbol does two jobs: it’s the wild, standing in for every other symbol, and it’s the scatter that unlocks the bonus. After a win you can also try the optional gamble feature, guessing the colour or suit of a card to double or quadruple the win, or lose it.
Free spins and the expanding symbol
Land three or more Books anywhere and you get 10 free spins. Before they start, the book flips its pages and lands on one random symbol, which becomes the expanding symbol for the whole round. During free spins, whenever that symbol lands on enough reels to form a win, it expands to cover every position on those reels and pays on all ten lines, even if the reels aren’t next to each other. Three or more Books during the round add 10 more spins with the same expanding symbol.
Everything depends on which symbol the book picks. A card royal expanding across three reels is a modest win. Rich Wilde expanding across all five reels is the 5,000x maximum, which OLBG’s published data puts at roughly one in 3.75 million spins.
RTP versions: check before you play
96.21% is Play’n GO’s top setting for Book of Dead, but the studio supplies several lower versions and casinos choose which one to run. The difference is significant over time, so open the game’s information screen and look for the RTP before you play. Our RTP guide explains why it matters.
Book of Dead vs Book of Ra
Novomatic’s Book of Ra invented the formula on casino floors, and Book of Dead brought it online with sharper graphics and a higher top prize. The core idea is identical: a wild-scatter book, ten free spins and a random expanding symbol. Book of Dead’s popularity then spawned a whole wave of book slots, including Play’n GO’s own sequels in the Rich Wilde series.
Who it suits
Book of Dead suits players who like high volatility and a single, dramatic bonus feature. The base game can go quiet for long stretches, and almost all of its big wins come from free spins, so it’s not for anyone who wants steady returns. For something lighter, try NetEnt’s Starburst.
FAQ
What is the Book of Dead RTP?
96.21% in its top version. Lower versions exist, so check the game’s information screen.
What is the max win on Book of Dead?
5,000x your stake, reached when Rich Wilde is the expanding symbol and fills all five reels during free spins.
How do you trigger free spins in Book of Dead?
Land three or more Book symbols anywhere for 10 free spins with a random expanding symbol.
Can I play Book of Dead for free?
Yes. The demo at the top of this page uses virtual credits, with no download and no sign-up. 18+ only.
Book of Dead is a gambling game for adults aged 18 and over, or the legal age where you live. Outcomes are random and no strategy changes the house edge. Only play with money you can afford to lose, and if gambling stops being fun, see our responsible gambling page.
18+ only. Free demos use play money. If you play for real money, set a limit first. Responsible gambling.