Book of Ra ᐈ Review and free slot demo

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Book of Ra is an iconic video slot from Novomatic that has become a true legend in the online casino industry. Released in 2005, this slot laid the foundation for an entire genre of “book” slots and remains one of the most popular slot machines in the world.

The game transports players to the mysterious world of Ancient Egypt, where they join an explorer on a quest for the legendary Book of Ra. The classic gameplay with 5 reels, 9 paylines, and an exciting bonus round with free spins and expanding symbols has made the Book of Ra slot machine a standard that other slot developers strive to match.

Table Of Contents

Basic Slot Information

Provider	Novomatic (Greentube)
Release Date	03.03.2005
Type	Video Slot
RTP	92.13%
Volatility	High
Hit Frequency	28%
Maximum Win	x5000 bet
Number of Reels	5
Number of Rows	3
Number of Lines	9 (adjustable)
Minimum Bet	€0.01
Maximum Bet	€90
Game Size	10 MB
Technology	JS, HTML5
Features	Extra Free Spins, Book mechanic, Expanding Symbols, Free Spins, Gamble Feature, RTP Range, Scatter Symbols, Wild
Theme	Adventure, Ancient Civilizations, Egypt, Pharaohs, Scarabs, Snakes

About the Developer

The Book of Ra slot was developed by Novomatic, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of gaming equipment and casino software. Novomatic was founded in 1980 by entrepreneur Johann Graf.

Greentube, a subsidiary of Novomatic, is responsible for developing online versions of popular Novomatic slots, including Book of Ra. Founded in 1998, Greentube was acquired by Novomatic in 2010. This allowed Novomatic to expand its presence in the online segment. In 2015, Greentube acquired a controlling stake in BlueBat Games, strengthening the company’s position in the US market and expanding opportunities for developing white label solutions.

Theme and Design

Book of Ra immerses players in the atmosphere of adventure and mysteries of Ancient Egypt. The main character of the slot is an explorer who resembles the famous Indiana Jones. Classic Egyptian symbols appear on the reels of the slot machine: scarabs, pharaoh statues, sarcophagi, and the Book of Ra.

The color scheme of the slot is maintained in sandy, brown, and black tones, conveying the atmosphere of Egyptian deserts and tombs. The background image depicts the interior of an ancient temple with columns and hieroglyphs.

Although the game’s graphics may seem somewhat outdated by modern standards, it is this retro style that gives the Book of Ra slot a special charm and nostalgic appeal. The sound design includes Egyptian motifs and characteristic slot machine sounds, creating a unique atmosphere.

Gameplay

The Book of Ra slot offers classic gameplay on 5 reels with 3 rows of symbols. Players can activate from 1 to 9 paylines. To win, you need to collect a combination of 2-5 identical symbols on an active line from left to right.

Bets range from €0.01 to €10 per line, allowing you to play for as little as €0.09 or as much as €90 per spin when all lines are activated. This makes the game accessible to both beginners with limited budgets and high rollers who like to play big.

Symbols and Payouts

Here’s the paytable for the main symbols of the Book of Ra slot (multipliers are indicated for the line bet):

Symbol	5x	4x	3x	2x
Explorer	5000x	1000x	100x	10x
Pharaoh	2000x	400x	40x	5x
Statue/Scarab	750x	100x	30x	5x
A, K	150x	40x	5x	–
Q, J, 10	100x	25x	5x	–

The Book of Ra symbol acts as both Wild and Scatter:

5x: 200x total bet.
4x: 20x total bet.
3x: 2x total bet.

Bonus Features

The Book of Ra symbol is a crucial element of the game, serving dual purposes:

It acts as a Wild, substituting for other symbols to create winning combinations
When three or more appear, it triggers the exciting free spins bonus round

Free Spins with Expanding Symbol

The appearance of three or more Book of Ra symbols unlocks a thrilling bonus feature: 10 complimentary spins. As the bonus round begins, the game randomly designates a special symbol. This chosen symbol gains the ability to expand, covering its entire reel during the bonus spins. This unique mechanic substantially enhances the potential for significant payouts.

What sets the expanding symbol apart is its scatter-like payout structure. Unlike regular symbols, it doesn’t need to land on adjacent reels to form winning combinations. Instead, it pays out as long as the required number of symbols appear anywhere on the screen, greatly increasing the chances of substantial wins.

The excitement doesn’t end there – players have the opportunity to extend their bonus round. If three or more Book of Ra symbols grace the reels during the free spins, an additional set of 10 spins is awarded. This feature can significantly boost the overall winning potential of the bonus round.

Gamble Feature

For those who crave an extra thrill, Book of Ra offers a gamble option after each win in the base game. This mini-game invites players to double their winnings by predicting the color of a face-down card. Correctly guessing whether the card is red or black doubles the prize, while an incorrect guess results in losing the initial win.

Game Strategies

Although the Book of Ra slot, like all slots, is based on a random number generator, there are several strategies that can help maximize your chances of winning:

Always play on all 9 lines to not miss potential winning combinations.
Set a loss limit and stick to it.
Use the “Gamble” feature with caution – it can quickly eat up your bankroll.
Try to activate the bonus game as often as possible, as this is where the biggest wins are hidden.
Play at stakes that match your bankroll to have the opportunity to make enough spins to activate the bonus game.

Book of Ra Demo Version

Before playing for real money, we recommend trying the Book of Ra demo version. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the game mechanics, evaluate the frequency of bonus features, and determine the optimal strategy without risking your own budget.

Demo mode is an ideal way for beginners to master the basics of the game, and it will help experienced players test new betting tactics. In our online casino, you can play the Book of Ra demo for free and without registration directly in your browser.

Remember that the demo version uses virtual credits, so your winnings will also be virtual. However, the emotions and impressions from the game will be quite real.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Legendary status and recognizability	Low RTP (92.13%)
Captivating Egyptian theme	Outdated graphics
High winning potential (up to x5000 bet)	High volatility
Bonus game with expanding symbols	Lack of modern bonus features
Ability to play for small stakes	Limited number of paylines
Availability on mobile devices
Classic gameplay that many players like
Gamble feature to increase winnings

Conclusion

Book of Ra is a classic slot, the founder of an entire genre of slot machines. Despite the simplicity of gameplay and relatively modest graphics by modern standards, this game continues to attract millions of players around the world.

The slot is perfect for fans of classic slot machines and enthusiasts of Egyptian themes. High volatility and the potential for big wins in the bonus round will appeal to players who like to risk for significant prizes.

Low RTP (92.13%) may deter more cautious players who prefer frequent but small wins. The exciting gameplay and the possibility to win up to 5000x the stake compensate for this disadvantage.

The Book of Ra slot is an excellent choice for those who value classics and are looking for a game with the potential for big wins. Before playing for real money, we recommend trying the demo version to make sure the game meets your expectations and gaming style.

Questions and Answers

Is Book of Ra a good game?

Yes, Book of Ra is considered one of the best and most influential slots in online casino history. Its popularity has lasted for almost two decades, which testifies to the high quality and attractiveness of the game for players. Despite the appearance of numerous imitations and more modern slots, Book of Ra remains the standard in its genre.

When was Book of Ra released?

The Book of Ra slot was released on March 3, 2005, by Novomatic. This slot became the first in the series of “book” slot machines and laid the foundation for many subsequent games in this genre.

Can you play Book of Ra for free?

Yes, many online casinos offer a demo version of the Book of Ra slot where you can play for free without registration. This is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the game before playing for real money.

What is the maximum win amount in Book of Ra?

The maximum win in the Book of Ra slot is 5000x your bet. This is possible when 5 Explorer symbols appear on one payline while playing at the maximum bet.

Is there a jackpot in Book of Ra?

The classic version of Book of Ra does not have a progressive jackpot. However, the maximum win of 5000x the stake can be considered a fixed jackpot of the game.

Is the Book of Ra slot available on mobile devices?

Absolutely! Book of Ra has been optimized for seamless play across various mobile platforms. Whether you’re using an iOS or Android device, you can enjoy this classic slot on your smartphone or tablet. The game is accessible through both mobile web browsers and dedicated online casino applications, ensuring you can spin the reels of this Egyptian adventure wherever you go.

What is the volatility of Book of Ra?

Book of Ra is characterized by high volatility. This means that while wins may occur less frequently, they have the potential to be quite substantial when they do hit. This volatility level appeals to players who enjoy the thrill of chasing larger payouts and are comfortable with the inherent risk of more extended periods between wins.