| Developer | Novomatic |
|---|---|
| Release date | 2005 (land-based original) |
| Theme | Ancient Egypt |
| Reels x rows | 5x3 |
| Paylines | 9 lines |
| RTP | 92.13% |
| Other RTP versions | 95.10% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 5,000x |
| Bet range | Varies by casino and market |
Book of Ra is the slot that started the “Book of” craze. Novomatic put it into land-based cabinets in 2005, and the online version, run by Novomatic’s digital arm Greentube, still uses the same simple formula: five reels, nine lines and one symbol that can take over the whole screen during free games.
Game Information
How Book of Ra plays
Each spin shows 15 symbols on a 5×3 grid, and wins pay left to right on up to nine lines. You can choose how many lines are active, but playing all nine is the only way to get the full value from the free games. There are no cascades, no cluster pays and no bonus buy.
The card ranks 10 to A sit at the bottom of the paytable and land often. Above them are the scarab, the goddess idol and the pharaoh statue, with the explorer at the top. Base game wins are scarce, so most of the game’s value is packed into the bonus.
The Book and the free games
The Book is both wild and scatter. Three or more anywhere award 10 free games. Before they start, one symbol is picked at random to be the special expanding symbol. When it lands in enough positions to pay, it grows to fill its whole reel and pays on every active line, even on reels that aren’t next to each other.
Three more Books during the round add another 10 free games. If the explorer is chosen and fills all five reels, that is the route to the top prize of 5,000x the total stake.
The gamble feature
After a base game win you can gamble it on the colour of the next card. Guess right and the win doubles; guess wrong and it’s gone. It is optional, and on a game where wins come slowly it can empty a balance quickly, so most players bank anything worthwhile.
RTP versions
Book of Ra’s RTP depends on which version the casino runs. The classic online build is widely listed at 92.13%, while Greentube’s own catalogue gives 95.10%. Both are below the 96% that most modern slots aim for, so open the game’s information screen and check before you play for real money.
Who it suits
Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot with long quiet stretches and a single feature that does all the heavy lifting. It suits players who like its retro look and simple rules. If you want multipliers that build through a bonus instead, try Gates of Olympus, or Drac’s Stacks for a far bigger ceiling.
18+ only. Free demos use play money. If you play for real money, set a limit first. Responsible gambling.