Book of Dead

Book of Dead is Play'n GO's signature slot and one of the most-played online slots in the world. Released in 2016, it follows the adventurer Rich Wilde into the tombs of ancient Egypt and has become the definitive example of the "book" sub-genre, where a special expanding symbol can transform the free-spins round. With a 96.21% RTP, high volatility and a maximum win of up to 5,000x your stake, it is a benchmark title that countless other studios have tried to imitate.

The game uses a classic 5x3 layout with 10 paylines, and wins are formed left to right in the traditional way. The Book of Dead itself is the key symbol: it acts as both the wild and the scatter, substituting for other symbols and paying in any position. It is simple, familiar and instantly understandable, which is a big part of why the game has aged so well.

Free spins and the expanding symbol

Landing three or more Book scatters anywhere on the reels awards 10 free spins — and this is where Book of Dead becomes special. Before the round begins, one regular symbol is chosen at random to become the expanding special symbol for the entire feature.

During the free spins, whenever enough of that chosen symbol appears, it expands to cover its whole reel and pays as if the symbols were adjacent, even when they are not on a payline. If the high-value Rich Wilde symbol is selected, a single lucky spin can fill the screen and approach that 5,000x ceiling. The round can also be retriggered, adding more spins and more chances for the expanding symbol to land.

RTP, volatility and the gamble feature

Book of Dead runs at a default RTP of 96.21%, though operators frequently offer lower configurations on this title in particular, so checking the info screen is especially worthwhile here. It is a high-volatility game built around the big free-spins hit rather than steady base-game wins, with stakes from 0.10 to 100 per spin. After most wins you can also use the optional gamble feature, guessing a card colour or suit to double or quadruple the amount — high risk, and best used sparingly if at all.

Tips and who it's for

The whole game points toward the free spins and the luck of the expanding-symbol draw, so a measured stake that lets you spin often is the sensible approach. Resist the gamble feature unless you fully accept you could lose the win entirely. Book of Dead suits players who enjoy traditional payline slots with a single, dramatic bonus mechanic rather than busy modern grids — its tension comes from hoping the high-value symbol is chosen and then lands.

Strategy and responsible play

Book of Dead lives and dies by the free spins and the luck of which symbol is chosen to expand, so there is no skill-based way to influence the outcome — your main lever is bankroll management. Keep your stake modest relative to your balance so you can spin often enough to trigger the bonus, where the dramatic wins happen if a high-value symbol such as the explorer is selected and then lands across the reels. The gamble feature deserves particular caution: doubling or quadrupling a win on the turn of a card is tempting, but it can wipe out a good result instantly, so many experienced players skip it entirely or use it only on small wins. Because this title is one operators frequently offer in reduced-RTP versions, it is especially worth confirming the figure on the info screen before you play. Set a budget you are comfortable losing, treat the expanding-symbol round as the entertainment it is, and never chase a feature by increasing your stakes.

As the foundation of a huge Rich Wilde series that includes Book of Dead sequels and spin-offs, the original remains the essential starting point. Try Book of Dead in free demo mode here to experience the expanding-symbol free spins before you play for real, and remember to set a budget and gamble responsibly.

How Book of Dead compares

At 96.21%, Book of Dead sits below the 96.49% median of the 16 slots we have reviewed, on high volatility. Return alone rarely settles the choice, though: volatility and the ceiling decide how that same percentage feels across a session. The table below puts Book of Dead next to the closest alternatives in our catalogue.

Every figure is the studio's default configuration. Operators are free to run a lower RTP build of many of these games — our guide to RTP explains why that happens and where to check the version you are actually playing.