Book of Dead: The Slot That Built a Genre
Book of Dead came out in 2016 and turned the book mechanic into one of the most copied formats in slots. Rich Wilde, an Egyptian tomb, and one expanding symbol that decides your whole bonus. It is simple, it is high volatility, and it is still everywhere. Here is what to check.
How It Plays
Book of Dead is a 5-reel, 10-payline slot with a deliberately old-school feel. The book is both wild and scatter. Three or more books trigger 10 free spins, and before the round begins the game picks one regular symbol at random to be the expanding symbol. During the bonus, if that symbol lands enough to form a win it expands to fill the whole reel and pays across all positions, whether the symbols are adjacent or not. Draw the high-value explorer symbol and a single spin can carry the session. Draw a low card and the bonus often fizzles. That randomness is the entire risk profile.
RTP and Volatility
This is the important part. Book of Dead is one of the most version-fragmented slots in the market. The original RTP is around 96.2%, but Play'n GO licenses lower builds, and some casinos run it well below that. The game looks identical either way, so the only way to know what you are playing is the info screen. Check it every time, the rule our RTP guide exists for. Volatility is high. Outside the bonus the base game is thin, and the bankroll rules apply.
The Bonus and the Cap
The free spins can retrigger, stacking more spins on top of an already-expanding symbol, which is the dream scenario. The maximum win is 5,000x your stake. It is a rare alignment of the right expanding symbol and a generous draw. Most bonuses pay something modest. The appeal of Book of Dead is the swing, not the average, so size your bet for a long, dry base game punctuated by the occasional bonus.
The Verdict
Strengths: a clean, proven format, real tension in every bonus, and pacing that has aged remarkably well. Weaknesses: severe RTP-version fragmentation and high variance that is unforgiving to small bankrolls. Book of Dead is a classic and an entertainment product, not a plan. Verify the RTP, set a budget, and try it free through a free spins deal before staking. Pick a licensed casino from our reviews, and for the studio behind it see our Play'n GO review. 18+.
Book of Dead FAQ
Why does Book of Dead pay differently at different casinos?
Play'n GO licenses multiple RTP versions of the same game. The graphics are identical, but the math is not. Always read the info screen to confirm the figure before you play.
Which expanding symbol is best in the bonus?
The Rich Wilde explorer symbol is the highest paying, so drawing it gives the biggest potential bonus. The symbol is selected at random and you cannot influence it.
Is Book of Dead high volatility?
Yes. The base game is lean and most of the return is concentrated in the free spins. Expect long dry runs, and play within a budget you are comfortable losing. 18+.