Book Of Dead Slot Review, Play'n GO Online Pokies 2026

Stats and general goss How to have a punt Symbols and payouts Free games and bonuses RTP and volatility Playing on mobile Pros and Cons FAQ

Book of Dead stats and general goss

Book of Dead is the heavy hitter from Play'n GO that’s been ruling the online pokies scene since it dropped. It's an Ancient Egyptian crack at an adventure featuring Rich Wilde, a bloke who looks like he’s never seen a day of office work in his life. The game has stayed on top because it’s easy to wrap your head around while still packing a punch with massive win potential. You'll find Book of Dead at pretty much any decent site worth its salt in the gambling world.

The technical side of things is a classic five-reel, ten-payline setup that works for both fresh punters and those who’ve been around the block. It’s got a high volatility engine, which basically means it can be a bit of a dog's breakfast for a while before suddenly exploding into a ripper win. Play'n GO tuned this one to create those big moments, with a max payout that keeps people coming back for a fair dinkum crack at the jackpot.

Feature	Specification
Provider	Play'n GO
Launch Date	January 2016
RTP (Return to Player)	96.21% (can vary)
Volatility	High
Max Win	5,000x stake
Reel Layout	5x3
Paylines	10 (adjustable)
Bet Range	$0.01–$100

What makes this stand out from the heaps of other Egyptian pokies is how it balances simplicity with decent rewards. You can toggle between one and ten paylines, which lets you control your risk. This flexibility, along with the famous expanding symbols in the free games, is why the game is still a beauty after all these years.

How to have a punt for real money

If you're looking to play for real cash, you'll need an account at a site that isn't dodgy. Always check the licence before you chuck any money in. Most spots will let you top up instantly using Visa, Mastercard, or even crypto like Bitcoin if that's your go. Set your deposit limits early—it's just smart play. 18+ only. For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Self-exclude via BetStop.

Open the game and pick how many paylines you want active using the buttons at the bottom
Set your bet size by changing the Coin Value ($0.01–$1.00) and Coins per line
Double-check the total bet amount to make sure it fits your bankroll
Hit the spin button or use Autoplay if you want the reels to keep moving while you have a brew

Just remember that wins pay left to right, startin' from the first reel. The only exception is the scatter, which pays regardless of where it lands. To be fair, it’s a straightforward game, but don't treat it as a way to pay the electricity bill. It’s a bit of fun, nothing more.

Book of Dead symbols and what they pay

The paytable is split into two groups. You’ve got the high-value icons like Rich Wilde and the Egyptian gods, which pay out if you land just two on a line. The lower value royals (10 through Ace) need at least three to get you a result. It's a solid setup that keeps things ticking over with smaller hits while you wait for the big ones.

Symbol	5x Payout (Coins)	Details
Rich Wilde	5,000	The top dog symbol
Osiris	2,000	Premium payout
Anubis / Horus	750	Middle of the road
Gold Book	200	Wild and Scatter in one
Royals (A, K, Q, J, 10)	100–150	Standard symbols

The Gold Book is the one you really want. It acts as both a wild and a scatter. If you land three or more, you trigger the bonus round and get an instant payout based on your total bet. Having one symbol do two jobs makes every spin a bit more interesting, reckon.

How the free games and bonuses work

The main event in Book of Dead is the free games feature. You trigger this by landing three or more Book symbols anywhere. You get 10 free games to start with, and the game picks one random symbol to be the "special expanding symbol". When this one lands, it stretches to cover the whole reel and pays out even if the symbols aren't next to each other. If you land three more books during the round, you get another 10 games. It's a ripper of a feature if the right symbol gets picked.

The gamble feature explained

After any win in the base game, you can choose to risk it on the Gamble round. It’s a simple "guess the card" game. If you get the colour right, you double your money. Guess the suit correctly, and you quadruple it. Mind you, if you get it wrong, you lose the lot. It’s a bit of a toss-up, so use it sparingly or you'll be flat out keeping your balance up.

Guess Colour (Red/Black): Pays 2x your win
Guess Suit (Club/Spade/Heart/Diamond): Pays 4x your win

Checking the RTP and volatility

The standard RTP is 96.21%, which is decent enough for online pokies. But here's the catch—Play'n GO lets casinos pick lower settings sometimes, down to 94% or even lower. Always check the "i" or help section in the game menu to see what the version you're playing is set at. High volatility means you might go for a long stretch without a win, but the bonus rounds can pay out up to 5,000x your stake if luck is on your side.

Managing your money is vital here. You probably want enough in the tank for at least 200–300 spins to give yourself a fair go at hitting the bonus. The house edge is always there, so don't go chasing losses. Each spin is random, so just because you haven't won in a while doesn't mean a big one is "due". Keep it level-headed and know when to call it a day.

Playing on your mobile or tablet

Book of Dead is built on HTML5, so it runs sweet on iPhones or Androids without needing to download a separate app. It works in both portrait and landscape, though landscape is better to see the artwork properly. The controls are positioned for your thumbs, so it’s easy to play while you're waiting for the bus or having a break at the footy. It loads fast too—usually about 3–5 seconds if your connection isn't rubbish.

The game is optimized so it won't kill your battery too fast, which is a bonus. Even on older phones, it runs pretty smooth, though the animations might lag a tiny bit. You get the same RTP and the same chance of winning as you would on a laptop. It's a seamless experience, basically.

The good and the bad of Book of Dead

Even though it’s been out since 2016, Book of Dead is still a classic. It’s not about flashy 3D graphics; it’s about the mechanics. The ability to change paylines and the high volatility makes it a favourite for punters who like to strategise a bit more with their bankroll.

Pros: Huge 5,000x jackpot potential, the expanding symbols are legendary, you can adjust paylines to suit your budget, the Gold Book doing double duty is a winner, simple and effective math model.
Cons: Can be a real drain on the wallet during dry spells, different RTP versions can be confusing, graphics look a bit old-school now, base game wins can be pretty small, bonus round can take ages to trigger.

Bottom line is, it’s a benchmark game. If you want to understand how high volatility pokies work, this is the one to play. It’s a bit dated compared to some Megaways titles, but it still does the job better than most.

Common questions about the game

What is the RTP?

Usually 96.21%, but check the game info at your specific casino to be sure.

Can I play for free?

Too right. Most sites offer a demo version so you can test the waters without spending a cent.

Is it rigged?

No, it uses a certified Random Number Generator. As long as you're at a licensed site, it’s all above board.

What's the best site to play on?

Look for ones with the highest RTP setting and fast processing times for withdrawals. Local favourites or reputable offshore sites with PayID are usually a good bet.

How do I trigger the free spins bonus?

You need to land three or more Gold Book symbols (which act as scatters) anywhere on the reels to trigger 10 free spins with expanding symbols.

What is the maximum win in Book of Dead?

The maximum payout is 5,000x your total stake, which is usually achieved by filling the entire grid with the Rich Wilde symbol during the free spins.

Does Book of Dead work on mobile devices?

Yes, the game is built with HTML5 and runs smoothly on both iPhone and Android devices directly through the mobile browser.

What is the minimum bet allowed?

The minimum bet can be as low as $0.01 per spin if you choose to play with only one active payline.

What are the special expanding symbols?

During free spins, one symbol is randomly chosen to expand across the entire reel, paying out even if the symbols aren't adjacent.

Who created the Book of Dead pokie?

The game was developed by Play'n GO, one of the most reputable software providers in the gambling industry.

Win Up To 5,000x In Book Of Dead With Expanding Symbols!