Game of Thrones: pick your house, pick your volatility
Game of Thrones is the 243 ways slot Microgaming built around the HBO series in 2014, now part of the Games Global catalogue. Branded slots often lean on the licence and skip the math, but this one had a genuinely clever idea: the free spins let you choose between four houses, and each house is a different volatility setting. Here is how the machine underneath the theme actually plays.
What kind of slot it is
It is a five reel, 243 ways to win slot, so matching symbols pay whenever they land on adjacent reels from the left, no fixed paylines involved. The symbols are the house sigils of Stark, Lannister, Baratheon and Targaryen, backed by the show's theme music. The game logo appears as a stacked wild on every reel, which gives the base game its bigger moments. There is also a version with 15 fixed lines, but the 243 ways build is the one most casinos carry. New to ways games? Our slots guide covers the basics first.
The four houses free spins
Three scatters open the house selection screen, and this is the game's signature. Each house is a different trade-off between spin count, multiplier and stacked symbols. Targaryen pays 18 free spins with a 2x multiplier, Stark sits mid-table at 14 spins with 3x, Lannister trades spins for power, and Baratheon is the extreme pick at 8 spins with a 5x multiplier. Fewer spins with a bigger multiplier means more variance, so you are literally choosing your own volatility. The catch: a bad Baratheon round is over in seconds with nothing to show for it. There is also a gamble trail across a map of Westeros where you can risk a win on a coin flip, which our bonuses explainer would file under "know when to walk away".
RTP and volatility
The commonly listed RTP for the 243 ways version is around 95%, which is below the 96% benchmark of its era, and Games Global titles can ship in more than one return build, so check the info screen on the version you load. That is the licence fee showing up in the math, and our RTP guide explains what a percentage point actually costs over time. Volatility is medium to high overall, but the free spins choice moves it: Targaryen plays close to medium, Baratheon plays high. The volatility guide covers why that choice should match your budget, not your favourite character.
How to play Game of Thrones
Stake so that your budget survives the wait for scatters, because the base game alone rarely carries a session. When the choice screen appears, pick the house that fits your balance: smaller budgets last longer with Targaryen or Stark, and only well-padded balances should flirt with Baratheon. Skip the gamble trail unless you are playing with money you have already written off. Set a limit before the first spin using the tools on our responsible gambling page and stop when you hit it.
Is Game of Thrones worth playing?
Strengths: the house choice is a real mechanic rather than a skin, the stacked wilds give the base game life, and the presentation still holds up. Weaknesses: the commonly listed RTP is below average, the base game can run dry, and if you do not care about the show the licence adds nothing. It suits fans of the series and players who like controlling their own variance. It is entertainment, never an income plan. See our Games Global review for the studio's wider catalogue and choose a licensed site from our casino reviews. 18+.
Game of Thrones FAQ
Which house should I pick in the free spins?
It depends on your budget. Targaryen gives 18 spins at 2x for steadier results, Baratheon gives 8 spins at 5x for boom or bust. More multiplier and fewer spins means more variance, so smaller budgets should pick more spins.
What is the RTP of Game of Thrones?
The 243 ways version is commonly listed around 95%, below the usual benchmark for its era, and builds can vary by operator. Always confirm the figure on the game's own info screen before playing.
Can I play Game of Thrones for free?
Yes, most casinos carrying the Games Global catalogue offer a demo mode. It is worth using it to try all four houses before committing a real budget to one. 18+.