Book of Dead is the game most associated with Play’n GO. Released on 14 January 2016, it is a classic 5×3 slot with 10 paylines, Rich Wilde as the top symbol and one feature that does all the work: free spins with a randomly chosen expanding symbol. Ten years on, it is also a clear example of why the RTP version matters, with five settings from 96.21% down to 84.18%.
Key facts
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Provider | Play’n GO |
| Release | 14 January 2016 |
| Grid and lines | 5×3, 10 paylines (adjustable 1–10) |
| RTP versions | 96.21% / 94.25% / 91.25% / 87.25% / 84.18% |
| Volatility | High to very high (reviews; not rated by Play’n GO) |
| Max win | 5,000x the bet |
| Bonus buy | None – Play’n GO does not make bonus-buy games |
The Book: wild and scatter in one
The Book symbol does two jobs. As a wild it substitutes for other symbols on the paylines; as a scatter it triggers the bonus wherever it lands. Play’n GO’s launch announcement described it as acting “as both a wild and scatter symbol”. OLBG lists the Book’s own payouts as 2x, 20x and 200x the total bet for three, four and five.
Free spins and the expanding symbol
Three or more Books award 10 free spins. Before they start, one regular symbol is picked at random to become the special expanding symbol for the whole round. Play’n GO’s rules describe how it works:
- Regular wins are paid first.
- Then the special symbol expands to cover all three positions on its reel – but only when that creates additional wins.
- Expanded symbols do not need to be next to each other to pay on a line.
Three or more Books during the round add 10 more spins, and OLBG notes there is no limit on retriggers. The pick matters enormously: according to OLBG, a low royal (10, J or Q) as the expanding symbol pays up to 100x per spin, while Rich Wilde covering the screen is what produces the 5,000x maximum.
Five RTP versions
This game is one of the clearest cases of the same title paying very differently. On £1,000 of total stakes, the expected cost is about £37.90 at 96.21% and about £158.20 at 84.18% – more than four times as much. Play’n GO’s game page does not show the RTP, so the information screen in the game is where to check it. Our RTP versions guide explains how operators choose.
The gamble feature
After a base-game win you can gamble it: guess the card colour to double it, or the suit to win four times. OLBG lists a limit of five gambles in a row and a 500x cap. Its availability can differ between casinos and markets, so check the game where you play.
Pros and cons
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Who it suits
[wpremark preset_name=”default-info” icon_show=”1″ icon_image=”info-circle-regular” icon_color=”#3da2e0″ icon_width=”32″ icon_height=”32″ icon_indent=”16″ background_show=”1″ background_color=”#e3f1f4″ border_top=”0″ border_right=”0″ border_bottom=”0″ border_left=”0″ border_width=”2″ border_color=”#3da2e0″ shadow_show=”0″ shadow_x=”0″ shadow_y=”5″ shadow_blur=”10″ shadow_stretching=”-5″ shadow_opacity=”0.3″ title_show=”0″ title_bold=”0″ title_italic=”0″ title_underline=”0″ title_uppercase=”0″ title_font_size=”18″ title_line_height=”1.5″ text_bold=”0″ text_italic=”0″ text_underline=”0″ text_uppercase=”0″ padding_top=”20″ padding_right=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”20″ margin_top=”20″ margin_right=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ margin_left=”0″ border_radius=”5″]Good fit: players who like simple rules and one big feature, and those who prefer games without bonus buys. Poor fit: players who want frequent features or modern mechanics such as tumbles and multipliers.[/wpremark]
To see how three or more scatters work across other games, read our scatter symbols guide.
Verdict
The game has lasted because its idea is easy to follow: land three Books, get ten spins, hope the random symbol is a good one. The 5,000x ceiling comes from Rich Wilde filling the screen. The one number to check before playing is the RTP version – at 84.18% the same game costs more than four times as much to play as at 96.21%.
Frequently asked questions
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18+. The gamble feature can lose a win. Support services are listed on our responsible gambling page.
