Book of Dead Review 4.4
Our verdict
Book of Dead is the slot that defined the entire 'Book of' genre and it remains the benchmark. The free-spins round, where a single random symbol expands to fill the reels, is simple but brilliant — and capable of paying the full 5,000x. It is high volatility with a no-frills base game, so it won't suit everyone, but the 96.21% RTP, huge bonus potential and timeless Egyptian-adventure theme make it one of the most important and replayable slots ever made.
Book of Dead slot review
Book of Dead by Play'n GO launched in 2016 and became the most influential slot of its era — the game that turned the 'Book of' format into a genre of its own. It is a 5-reel, 3-row, 10-payline Egyptian adventure with a 96.21% RTP, high volatility and a top win of 5,000× your stake, all driven by one elegant free-spins mechanic.
| Provider | Play'n GO |
|---|---|
| Released | 2016 |
| Grid | 5 reels × 3 rows, 10 lines |
| RTP | 96.21% (default) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 5,000× stake |
| Min / max bet | £0.10 – £100 |
| Mechanic | Expanding symbol free spins |
How to play Book of Dead
Choose how many of the 10 paylines to play and set your bet (from £0.10 up to £100 a spin), then spin. You join explorer Rich Wilder hunting for treasure across the reels. The key symbol is the Book, which acts as both the wild and the scatter — it substitutes for other symbols and unlocks the bonus.
Book of Dead free spins & expanding symbol
Landing 3 or more Book scatters anywhere awards 10 free spins. Before the round begins, one random symbol is chosen as the special expanding symbol. During the free spins, whenever that symbol appears it expands to cover the entire reel and pays as if it were on every position — even if the symbols are not on a payline. If the high-value explorer symbol is picked and it expands across multiple reels, that is how the 5,000× wins happen. Three or more Books during the round retrigger the feature.
The gamble feature
After any win you can take the optional gamble: guess the colour or suit of a hidden card to double or quadruple the win. Guess wrong and you lose it — high risk, but it can quickly grow a payout.
Book of Dead RTP, volatility & max win
The default RTP is 96.21%, though Play'n GO licenses lower-RTP versions (94.25% and 92.5%) that some operators use, so always check the in-game information screen. With high volatility, the base game can run cold for a long time before a well-aligned free-spins round delivers the bulk of the 5,000× potential. Patience and bankroll control are essential.
Theme & design
Book of Dead leans on a classic Indiana-Jones-style Egyptian theme — tombs, pharaohs and the explorer Rich Wilder — with crisp visuals and a dramatic soundtrack. Play'n GO's HTML5 build runs smoothly on mobile and desktop.
Where to play Book of Dead
Play Book of Dead free in demo mode above, then play for real at our recommended UK casinos on this page — each licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. 18+ · BeGambleAware.org · always set a deposit limit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RTP of Book of Dead?
The default RTP of Book of Dead is 96.21%. Play'n GO also licenses 94.25% and 92.5% versions that some casinos use, so confirm the figure in the in-game information screen.
Is Book of Dead high volatility?
Yes. Book of Dead is a high-volatility slot — it can run cold for long stretches, but the expanding-symbol free spins can pay very large. Manage your bankroll accordingly.
What is the maximum win on Book of Dead?
The maximum win on Book of Dead is 5,000x your stake, achieved when a high-value expanding symbol fills the reels during the free-spins round.
How do you trigger the Book of Dead free spins?
Land 3 or more Book scatters anywhere on the reels to win 10 free spins with one random expanding special symbol. Three or more Books during the round retrigger it.
Can I play Book of Dead for free?
Yes — you can play the free Book of Dead demo at the top of this page with no deposit and no registration.
Who makes Book of Dead?
Book of Dead is developed by Play'n GO and was released in 2016.
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