Book of Dead by Play'n GO — Full Review
Book of Dead, officially titled "Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead," was released by Play'n GO on January 14, 2016. It is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot with 10 paylines and an Ancient Egypt theme featuring the adventurer Rich Wilde. The game is widely considered one of the most iconic online slots ever created — available at over 1,000 licensed casinos worldwide.
The mechanics are deceptively simple: a single Book symbol serves as both Wild and Scatter, and the entire win potential revolves around one feature — Free Spins with a randomly chosen Expanding Symbol. This simplicity is intentional. Book of Dead took the formula established by Novomatic's Book of Ra Deluxe (2008) and modernized it for the online era with superior graphics, higher RTP (96.21% vs 95.10%), and massive casino availability.
The game launched Play'n GO's flagship franchise: the Rich Wilde / Cat Wilde series now spans 18+ titles, from Tome of Madness (2019) to Book of Dead GO Collect (February 2026). Rich Wilde became Play'n GO's mascot character, and the franchise extends beyond him to Cat Wilde and Uncle Gerard (Gerard's Gambit, 2023).
Where modern slots like Gates of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza use 6x5 grids with scatter pays, tumble mechanics, and multiplier systems, Book of Dead stays faithful to the classic 5x3 format with fixed paylines. There are no tumble mechanics, no multiplier orbs, no cluster pays. The entire game hinges on which symbol is chosen during Free Spins — and whether it appears frequently enough to fill reels.
What Are the Key Numbers for Book of Dead?
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Play'n GO |
| RTP | 96.21% (96.21% / 94.25% / 91.25% / 87.25% / 84.18%) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | 5,000x |
| Grid | 5x3 |
| Paylines | 10 paylines (adjustable 1-10) |
| Min Bet | $0.10 |
| Max Bet | $100.00 |
| Game Type | Video Slots |
| Year | 2016 |
| Hit Frequency | 29.1% |
The 3.79% house edge means Book of Dead keeps $3.79 of every $100 wagered across millions of spins. This is a mathematical certainty built into the certified paytable — no strategy, timing, or bet pattern changes it. For context, the industry average for video slots is approximately 3-5% house edge, placing Book of Dead in the competitive range at 96.21% RTP.
The 3.79% house edge in Book of Dead is slightly higher than Gates of Olympus (3.50%) or Sweet Bonanza (3.51%), but the practical difference is small — $0.29 more per $100 wagered. What matters more is the bonus trigger frequency: 1 in 177 spins versus 1 in 448 for Gates of Olympus. You see roughly 2.5x more bonus rounds per session, which creates a fundamentally different playing rhythm despite the same 5,000x max win ceiling.
— Galaxy of Slots Editorial Team
How Does Book of Dead Actually Work?
Book of Dead uses a 5-reel, 3-row grid with 10 paylines (adjustable from 1 to 10, but always recommended to play all 10). Wins are evaluated left to right only, starting from reel 1. Only the highest win per payline is paid.
The game has 10 symbols total: 9 regular symbols plus the Book of Dead itself, which functions as both Wild and Scatter simultaneously.
The Book of Dead Symbol (Wild + Scatter)
This is the central mechanic of the entire game:
- As Wild: substitutes for every other symbol to complete winning combinations on any payline
- As Scatter: pays in any position regardless of paylines — 3 Books = 2x total bet + 10 Free Spins, 4 Books = 20x total bet + 10 Free Spins, 5 Books = 200x total bet + 10 Free Spins
The dual Wild/Scatter function means the Book is simultaneously the most valuable and most desirable symbol on every spin — it both completes wins and triggers the bonus round.
Free Spins with Expanding Symbol
When 3+ Books land anywhere on the reels, the game awards 10 Free Spins. Before the spins begin, the Book opens and its pages flip, randomly selecting one of the 9 regular symbols as the Special Expanding Symbol. This could be any symbol from Rich Wilde (highest paying) down to the 10 (lowest paying).
During each Free Spin:
- Reels spin normally and regular wins are evaluated first
- If the Special Expanding Symbol appears on a reel, it expands to fill all 3 rows of that reel
- Expansion only occurs if it creates additional winning combinations
- Expanded wins are calculated and added to the spin total
The same Expanding Symbol persists for all 10 Free Spins and any retriggers. Landing 3+ Books during Free Spins adds +10 more spins with the same expanding symbol.
Core Features
- Expanding Symbol Free Spins
- Book Wild/Scatter Combo
- Gamble Feature (Color/Suit)
- Retrigger (+10 Free Spins)
- 10 Paylines (adjustable 1-10)
What Does Each Symbol Pay in Book of Dead?
All payouts below are per total bet (assuming 10 lines active). Premium symbols (Rich Wilde, Pharaoh, Anubis, Horus) pay from 2-of-a-kind. Low-pay symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10) require 3-of-a-kind minimum.
| Symbol | 2-of-a-kind | 3-of-a-kind | 4-of-a-kind | 5-of-a-kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Wilde (Explorer) | 1x | 10x | 100x | 500x |
| Pharaoh (Osiris) | 0.5x | 4x | 40x | 200x |
| Anubis (Jackal God) | 0.5x | 3x | 10x | 75x |
| Horus (Eagle God) | 0.5x | 3x | 10x | 75x |
| A (Ace) | — | 0.5x | 4x | 15x |
| K (King) | — | 0.5x | 4x | 15x |
| Q (Queen) | — | 0.5x | 2.5x | 10x |
| J (Jack) | — | 0.5x | 2.5x | 10x |
| 10 | — | 0.5x | 2.5x | 10x |
Book of Dead Scatter Payouts (paid on total bet, any position)
| Books | Payout | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Books | 2x total bet | + 10 Free Spins |
| 4 Books | 20x total bet | + 10 Free Spins |
| 5 Books | 200x total bet | + 10 Free Spins |
Max win calculation: Rich Wilde selected as Expanding Symbol → fills all 5 reels → 10 paylines × 500x = 5,000x total bet.
Paytable context: these are per-line-bet values divided by 10 lines. In the in-game paytable, Rich Wilde 5-of-a-kind shows 5,000x per line bet — this equals 500x per total bet with all 10 lines active.
How Do Free Spins Trigger and Pay?
Free Spins trigger when 3 or more Book of Dead Scatter symbols land anywhere on the 5x3 grid. Unlike scatter-pays games like Sweet Bonanza, the Books must appear on a single spin — there is no accumulation across spins.
The trigger frequency is approximately 1 in 177 spins (0.56% per spin). This is significantly more frequent than Gates of Olympus (1/448) or Sweet Bonanza (~1/451). At $0.10 per spin, you will wager roughly $17.70 between bonuses on average.
Expanding Symbol Selection
Before Free Spins begin, one of 9 regular symbols is randomly selected as the Special Expanding Symbol. All symbols have equal probability (~11.1% each). The outcome depends heavily on which symbol is chosen:
| Expanding Symbol | 5-of-a-kind Value | Full Screen (10 paylines) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Wilde | 500x | 5,000x (max win) | Best possible outcome |
| Pharaoh | 200x | 2,000x | Very strong |
| Anubis / Horus | 75x | 750x | Solid mid-range |
| A / K | 15x | 150x | Disappointing |
| Q / J / 10 | 10x | 100x | Weakest outcome |
The average bonus round returns approximately 76x total bet. This is heavily right-skewed — most rounds return 10-40x, with occasional Rich Wilde or Pharaoh expansions producing 200x+ results. About 57% of total returns come from the base game, 43% from Free Spins.
Retrigger
Landing 3+ Books during Free Spins adds +10 more Free Spins with the same Expanding Symbol. Retriggers can occur multiple times with no theoretical limit. The probability is not officially published but is uncommon.
Book of Dead's expanding symbol mechanic creates a unique moment of anticipation that no multiplier system can replicate. When the Book opens and pages flip to select the expanding symbol, every player understands instantly what it means: Rich Wilde = massive potential, low card = disappointing round. This clarity — knowing exactly what you need and watching it unfold — is why the game has survived a decade of innovation in an industry that discards most titles within months.
— Galaxy of Slots Editorial Team
Are the Buy Feature and Ante Bet Worth Your Money?
Book of Dead does not have a Buy Feature or Ante Bet. There is no way to purchase direct access to Free Spins or increase scatter frequency at any price.
This is a significant difference from modern slots: Gates of Olympus offers a 100x Buy Feature and a 25% Ante Bet that doubles scatter frequency, Sweet Bonanza similarly offers both Buy and Ante options, and Wanted Dead or a Wild has three buy tiers from 80x to 400x.
Gamble Feature (Risk/Double)
Instead of a Buy Feature, Book of Dead offers a Gamble Feature after any base game win:
| Option | Probability | Reward | Max Consecutive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color Guess (Red/Black) | 50% | 2x win | 5 times (32x max) |
| Suit Guess (♥♦♣♠) | 25% | 4x win | 5 times (1,024x max) |
The Gamble Feature has zero house edge — the probabilities are fair (50/50 for color, 25/75 for suit). However, an incorrect guess loses your entire win from that spin. You can collect at any point between gambles.
Important: The Gamble Feature is generally not available after Free Spins wins in most casino implementations. It applies to base game wins only.
What Does the Math Mean for Your Bankroll?
Book of Dead's 3.79% house edge is slightly higher than Gates of Olympus (3.50%) or Sweet Bonanza (3.51%), but it comes with a critical advantage: much more frequent bonus triggers. At 1 in 177 spins, you reach Free Spins roughly 2.5x faster than in Gates of Olympus (1/448) or Sweet Bonanza (~1/451).
The practical impact:
- At $0.10/spin: average cost to first bonus = $17.70 (vs $44.80 for Gates of Olympus)
- At $1.00/spin: average cost to first bonus = $177.00 (vs $448.00 for Gates of Olympus)
- You see 2-3x more bonus rounds per session, which smooths out variance
The 5,000x max win matches Gates of Olympus exactly, but Book of Dead's path to max win is more intuitive — you need Rich Wilde as Expanding Symbol + appearance on all 5 reels. In practice, however, the max win probability in Book of Dead (~1 in several million spins) is actually lower than Gates of Olympus (~1 in 718,000 spins), because the specific combination of Rich Wilde selection + full-screen appearance is extremely rare.
For higher max win ceilings, Sweet Bonanza (21,175x) or Wanted Dead or a Wild (12,500x) are the alternatives — but with significantly rarer bonus triggers and higher volatility.
Where Do the Wins Actually Come From?
Book of Dead's win distribution is split roughly 57/43 between base game and Free Spins. This is a more balanced distribution than modern high-volatility slots where 80-95% of theoretical returns come from the bonus round.
Key probability anchors:
- Hit frequency: ~29% — roughly 1 in 3.4 spins produces some return
- Free Spins trigger: 1 in 177 spins (0.56%)
- Probability of at least one bonus in 100 spins: ~43%
- Probability of at least one bonus in 300 spins: ~82%
- Probability of at least one bonus in 500 spins: ~94%
- Probability of at least one bonus in 1,000 spins: ~99.7%
- Average bonus win: 76x total bet
The 29% hit frequency is comparable to Gates of Olympus (28.82%) but lower than Sweet Bonanza (~55%) and higher than Wanted Dead or a Wild (19.36%). Book of Dead's base game wins also tend to be more meaningful because payline-based wins scale better than scatter-pays minimums.
Expanding Symbol probability: Each of the 9 symbols has an equal ~11.1% chance of selection. Rich Wilde (the best outcome) will be selected roughly once every 9 bonus rounds. Over 10 bonus rounds, the probability of seeing Rich Wilde at least once is approximately 69%.
Bankroll Scenario Table
| Bankroll | Bet Size | Bets per Bankroll | Expected Loss per 100 Spins | Avg Spins to First Bonus | Cost to First Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $0.20 | 250 | $0.76 | ~177 | $35.40 |
| $100 | $0.20 | 500 | $0.76 | ~177 | $35.40 |
| $100 | $0.50 | 200 | $1.90 | ~177 | $88.50 |
| $100 | $1.00 | 100 | $3.79 | ~177 | $177.00 |
| $200 | $1.00 | 200 | $3.79 | ~177 | $177.00 |
| $500 | $2.00 | 250 | $7.58 | ~177 | $354.00 |
| $1,000 | $5.00 | 200 | $18.95 | ~177 | $885.00 |
Expected loss assumes 96.21% RTP (3.79% house edge). "Cost to First Bonus" is the average expected wagering ($bet × 177 spins) — actual results vary enormously due to High volatility. See our slot glossary for term definitions.
Always check Book of Dead's RTP version in the game's paytable screen before playing. Play'n GO offers operators five RTP settings from 96.21% down to 84.18%. The difference is dramatic: at 84.18% RTP, the house edge is 15.82% — more than four times the default. This is not unique to Book of Dead; most modern slots from major providers have operator-configurable RTP. But with Book of Dead's popularity attracting less experienced players, it warrants explicit warning.
— Galaxy of Slots Editorial Team
How Does Book of Dead Compare to the Competition?
Book of Dead competes in the "Book slot" sub-genre and against the broader high-volatility video slot market. Here is how it compares:
| Feature | Book of Dead | Dead or Alive 2 | Gates of Olympus | Wanted Dead or a Wild |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Play'n GO | NetEnt | Pragmatic Play | Hacksaw Gaming |
| Year | 2016 | 2019 | 2021 | 2021 |
| Grid | 5x3 | 5x3 | 6x5 | 5x5 |
| Win Mechanic | 10 Paylines | 9 Paylines | Scatter Pays | 15 Paylines |
| RTP | 96.21% | 96.82% | 96.50% | 96.38% |
| Volatility | High | Very High | High | Very High |
| Max Win | 5,000x | 111,111x | 5,000x | 12,500x |
| Hit Frequency | 29% | 29.8% | 28.82% | 19.36% |
| Bonus Trigger | ~1/177 | ~1/195 | 1/448 | ~1/265 |
| Key Mechanic | 1 Expanding Symbol | 3 FS Modes + Sticky Wilds | Tumble + Multiplier Orbs | DuelReels + 3 modes |
| Buy Feature | None | 66.66x (variant) | 100x | 80x–400x |
| Gamble | Yes (2x/4x) | No | No | No |
What Sets Book of Dead Apart?
- Most frequent bonus trigger — At ~1/177 spins, Book of Dead reaches Free Spins more than twice as often as Gates of Olympus (1/448) or Sweet Bonanza (~1/451). This makes sessions feel more active despite the same max win ceiling.
- Mechanical simplicity — One feature, one expanding symbol, 10 paylines. No multiplier systems, no tumble mechanics, no secondary bonus phases. This makes the game instantly understandable — a quality that has kept it relevant for a decade.
- Gamble Feature — The only game in this comparison that offers a risk/double option. The 50/50 color guess and 25/75 suit guess have zero house edge and can amplify base game wins up to 1,024x (5 consecutive suit guesses).
- Cultural status — Book of Dead is the game that brought the "Book slot" genre to online mainstream. Book of Ra Deluxe (Novomatic, 2008) created the template in land-based casinos; Book of Dead made it globally accessible online.
Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt, 2019) offers a completely different take on the classic 5x3 format: three selectable Free Spin modes, including the infamous High Noon Saloon with sticky multiplier wilds that can reach the 111,111x cap. The max win ceiling is 22x higher than Book of Dead's, but the volatility is extreme — extended dry spells are significantly more punishing.
Are Book of Dead Predictor Apps Real?
Book of Dead is one of the most commonly targeted slots for scam content due to its popularity and longevity. Here is what to know:
"Book of Dead Predictor" / "Book of Dead Hack"
These do not exist. Every spin uses a certified Random Number Generator (RNG) tested by GLI, BMM Testlabs, and Quinel. The result is determined at the moment you press Spin — no external app can predict or influence it. Predictor apps are scams designed to steal your money or personal data.
"Book of Dead Strategy to Force Rich Wilde Expanding"
The Expanding Symbol selection during Free Spins is completely random. Each of the 9 regular symbols has an equal ~11.1% chance of being selected. There is no bet size, spin timing, or pattern that influences which symbol is chosen. The selection happens server-side via RNG at the moment Free Spins trigger.
"This Casino's Book of Dead Pays Better"
The game itself is identical across all licensed casinos — Play'n GO supplies the same certified game. However, operators can select different RTP versions: 96.21% (default), 94.25%, 91.25%, 87.25%, or 84.18%. Always check the in-game info/paytable to verify which RTP version you are playing. The difference between 96.21% and 84.18% is massive — the house edge increases from 3.79% to 15.82%.
Fake Versions and Unlicensed Casinos
Fake and pirated versions of Book of Dead exist on unlicensed gambling sites. These imitations may look identical to the real game but are not subject to any regulatory oversight — the RNG may be manipulated. Always verify that the casino holds a valid license (UKGC, MGA, Gibraltar, etc.) and that Play'n GO is listed as an official provider.
Common Myths Debunked
- "Hot and cold streaks mean the game is due for a big win" — False. Every spin is independent. Previous results have zero effect on future outcomes. The RNG has no memory. A machine that has not paid out in 1,000 spins has exactly the same probability of a big win on spin 1,001 as on spin 1.
- "Playing at certain times gives better odds" — False. The RNG operates identically at 3 AM and 3 PM. Casino traffic, time of day, and day of week have no effect on the game's mathematics. RTP is calculated over millions of spins, not hours.
- "Adjusting bet size affects which expanding symbol is chosen" — False. The expanding symbol selection is independent of bet size. Each of the 9 symbols has the same ~11.1% probability regardless of whether you bet $0.10 or $100.
- "Book of Dead is rigged because I never get Rich Wilde as expanding" — Rich Wilde has an ~11.1% (1/9) chance of being selected. Over 10 bonus rounds, you have about a 69% chance of seeing Rich Wilde at least once. The perception of rarity is confirmation bias — you remember the disappointing low-symbol expansions more vividly than the average ones.
- "The game pays differently in demo vs real money" — The certified RNG operates identically in both modes. The mathematical model is the same. However, short-term variance means any 100-spin session can produce wildly different results in demo vs real money purely by chance — this is not evidence of manipulation.
- "Reducing paylines from 10 to 1 increases win size" — Technically true per line bet, but irrelevant per total bet. Playing fewer lines does NOT increase EV — it reduces your hit frequency while keeping the same house edge. Mathematically, Book of Dead is designed for 10 active paylines.
Who Is Book of Dead Actually For?
Book of Dead is designed for players who appreciate mechanical simplicity combined with High volatility. The game delivers its entire promise through a single feature — the Expanding Symbol Free Spins — without the complexity of modern multiplier systems, cluster pays, or multi-phase bonus rounds.
Choose Book of Dead if:
- You prefer classic 5x3 reel slots with traditional paylines over modern 6x5 or 7x7 grids
- You want the most frequent bonus trigger in the high-volatility category — ~1/177 vs 1/448 for Gates of Olympus
- You appreciate the Gamble Feature as an optional risk/reward layer with zero house edge
- You value simplicity — one feature, one expanding symbol, instant understanding
- You enjoy the Ancient Egypt theme and the Rich Wilde franchise
Consider alternatives if:
- Higher max win ceiling: Sweet Bonanza (21,175x), Wanted Dead or a Wild (12,500x), or Dead or Alive 2 (111,111x) — but with rarer bonus triggers
- Multiple bonus modes: Dead or Alive 2 — three selectable Free Spin modes with different risk/reward profiles, including High Noon Saloon with sticky multiplier wilds
- Tumble + multiplier excitement: Gates of Olympus or Starlight Princess — cascading wins with accumulating multiplier orbs (2x-500x)
- Cluster pay mechanics: Sugar Rush — 7x7 grid with position-based multiplier spots, or Reactoonz — 7x7 grid with Quantum features
Other Play'n GO Games
Explore more guides from Play'n GO:
- Reactoonz — 96.51% RTP, High volatility, 4,570x max win