Book of Ra Deluxe Review
Book of Ra Deluxe is the best-known version of Novomatic's book slot: 5 reels, 10 lines, an explorer who pays 5,000× the line bet, and free games with one symbol that expands over whole reels.
About the game
Many "book" slots from other studios copy this game. The idea is simple: the book is both the wild and the scatter, 3 books start 10 free games, and in those free games one random symbol can cover whole reels.
The Deluxe version has 10 lines instead of 9 and sharper graphics than the original Book of Ra. The paytable is the same.
Book of Ra Deluxe Features
The book
The book replaces every other symbol on a line and also pays as a scatter anywhere on the screen: 2×, 20× or 200× your total bet for 3, 4 or 5 books. Scatter wins are added to line wins.
Free games
3 or more books start 10 free games. Before they start, one symbol is picked at random as the special expanding symbol. The free games are played at the same bet and lines, and more books in the round give you 10 more games.
During the free games one symbol is the special expanding symbol. After the normal wins are paid, it can grow to fill all 3 positions on its reel. Then it pays on every played line, even if the reels with it are not next to each other. It only expands when there are enough of them for a win.
Gamble
After a win you can guess the colour of the next card, red or black. A right guess doubles the win, a wrong one loses it. The gamble is off in autoplay and has an upper limit set by the game.
Graphics
A tomb wall with hieroglyphs, a desert at sunset over the logo, and coloured line numbers on both sides. The high symbols are the explorer, a golden pharaoh mask, an Isis statue and a scarab; the low ones are card letters from A to 10.
How to play
Choose the number of lines (1 to 10) and the bet per line. The paytable always shows the prizes for your current bet. Press Start or use autoplay.
Symbols and payouts
The explorer pays the most and, like the pharaoh, the statue and the scarab, already pays for 2 on a line.
| Symbol | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer | 5,000× | 1,000× | 100× | 10× |
| Pharaoh mask | 2,000× | 400× | 40× | 5× |
| Isis statue | 750× | 100× | 30× | 5× |
| Scarab | 750× | 100× | 30× | 5× |
| A, K | 150× | 40× | 5× | – |
| Q, J, 10 | 100× | 25× | 5× | – |
The book pays 2×, 20× or 200× your total bet for 3, 4 or 5 anywhere.
RTP and volatility
The game doesn't show its RTP in the demo. Catalogues list 94.26% for the online version, which is lower than most modern slots. Most of the money comes from the free games when the expanding symbol is a high one, so expect long runs without much happening.
Other versions
Book of Ra Magic adds more expanding symbols with each retrigger. Book of Ra Deluxe 6 has an optional sixth reel. Faust uses the same rules with a different theme.
Book of Ra Deluxe Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Simple, well-known rules
- Expanding symbol pays on all lines
- Free games can be won again
- Explorer pays 5,000× the line bet
Limitations
- RTP below most modern slots
- No bonus buy
- Base game is quiet
Our Verdict
Book of Ra Deluxe is still the reference for book slots. The rules fit in two sentences, and the free games can turn a small bet into a big win when the explorer or the pharaoh expands.
It's an old game, so the base game feels slow next to new releases. If you want the same idea with more going on, try Book of Ra Magic.
Book of Ra Deluxe FAQs
How do the free games start?
Land 3 or more books anywhere. You get 10 free games with a special expanding symbol.
What does the book do?
It's the wild and the scatter at the same time. It pays 2×, 20× or 200× the total bet for 3, 4 or 5.
What is the best symbol?
The explorer: 5,000× the line bet for 5 on a line.
Can the free games be won again?
Yes, 3 more books during the round add 10 games.
What is the RTP?
The demo doesn't show it. Catalogues list 94.26% for the online version.
How many lines are there?
10, and you can play fewer.
