Book Of Ra
What is the Book of Ra slot?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic (Greentube) |
| Release Date | 2005 |
| Reels × Rows | 5 × 3 |
| Paylines | 9, adjustable |
| RTP | 92.13% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | Up to 5,000× stake |
| Bonus Feature | 10 free spins with an expanding symbol |
| Gamble Feature | Red/black card guess to double winnings |
Book of Ra is a classic Novomatic slot that helped define the later "Book of" style. It was first released in 2005 through Greentube and appeared on Gaminator machines before moving online.
The game became especially well known in Germany because the format is simple and easy to follow: 5 reels, 9 paylines, a free spins round, and a gamble feature. Many later slots copied the same structure, but the original Book of Ra is still one of the best-known titles in the market.
You can still find it at many licensed German casino sites. The look and theme are old-school by current standards, but the gameplay remains largely unchanged, which is part of its appeal for long-time players.
The Ancient Egyptian theme
Book of Ra uses a familiar ancient Egypt setting. Tombs, statues, gold and archaeological imagery shape the game’s look and make it easy to recognise at a glance.
Visual style
The graphics are simple by current standards. Symbols are clear and easy to read, and the overall design keeps the retro style of the original arcade version. For many German players, that older look is part of the game’s appeal.
Sound and atmosphere
The sound design is one of the game’s most recognisable features. Mechanical effects, coin sounds and short dramatic win cues give it a classic slot-machine feel. Long-time players often associate these sounds closely with Book of Ra.
Symbols and payouts
The Explorer is the top-paying symbol in Book of Ra. Five Explorers on an active payline pay 5,000x the line bet. Next come the Pharaoh, sarcophagus, scarab and golden statue.
Symbol values
Premium symbols pay from two matching symbols onwards. Lower-paying symbols are the card ranks 10 to Ace, which appear more often and pay less.
The Book of Ra symbol has two roles. It works as a Wild, substituting for other symbols, and as a Scatter, triggering the bonus feature when three or more land anywhere on the reels. It also pays on its own, regardless of paylines: 2x the total bet for three, 20x for four and 200x for five.
| Symbol | 2 symbols | 3 symbols | 4 symbols | 5 symbols |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer | 10x | 100x | 1,000x | 5,000x |
| Pharaoh | 5x | 40x | 400x | 2,000x |
| Sarcophagus | 5x | 30x | 100x | 750x |
| Scarab | 5x | 30x | 100x | 750x |
| Statue | 5x | 25x | 100x | 750x |
Card symbols pay between 5x and 150x for three to five matches. Standard wins are paid left to right across 9 adjustable paylines, while Book symbols pay by count anywhere on the reels.
How the free spins bonus works
In Book of Ra, the free spins bonus starts when three or more Book symbols land anywhere on the reels. You get 10 free spins automatically.
Choosing the special expanding symbol
Before the bonus begins, the game randomly picks one regular symbol as the special expanding symbol. The Book symbol itself can't be chosen. That symbol stays the same for the whole bonus round, including any retriggered spins.
During free spins, if the chosen symbol lands on a reel, it expands to fill the full reel. This is the key feature of Book of Ra, because a full reel of the selected symbol can create much larger wins than in the base game.
If three or more Book symbols appear again during free spins, the feature retriggers and adds more spins. The bet and line settings stay the same as when the bonus started.
Gamble feature
After a winning base-game spin, you can use the Gamble feature. A card is shown face down and you guess whether it is red or black. If you're right, your win doubles. If you're wrong, you lose that win.
You can repeat this several times in a row, but each guess adds more risk. It doesn't improve the game's long-term return; it simply gives you the choice between taking the win or risking it for a higher one.
RTP and volatility
Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot. Wins don't come often, but the bigger payouts usually come from the expanding symbol feature during free spins.
That means sessions can feel uneven: long quieter stretches can be followed by a strong bonus round. It's better suited to players who are comfortable with higher risk rather than those looking for frequent smaller wins.
RTP differences
The original Book of Ra has an RTP of 92.13%. Many German casinos also offer Book of Ra Deluxe, which increases the theoretical return to 95.10% and adds a tenth payline.
Check the game info panel before playing, as the exact RTP can depend on the version or operator. With a game like this, bankroll control matters, especially if you're playing shorter sessions.
Book of Ra versions compared
If you're choosing between Book of Ra games, the main differences are the number of paylines, RTP, and whether a version adds extra features. RTP figures can vary by version and, in some cases, by casino setting, so use them as a guide rather than a guarantee.
| Version | Reels | Paylines | RTP | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Classic | 5 | 9 | 92.13% | Original version with retro-style visuals |
| Book of Ra Deluxe | 5 | 10 | 95.10% | Updated graphics and one extra payline |
| Book of Ra Deluxe 6 | 5 + 1 optional | 10 | 95.02%–96.06% | Optional sixth reel and higher max win of 15,000× |
| Book of Ra Magic | 5 | 10 | 95.03% | Can add up to 9 expanding symbols through retriggers |
| Book of Ra Jackpot Edition | 5 | 10 | 94.26% | Includes a four-level progressive jackpot |
Legal online play in Germany
In Germany, Book of Ra can only be offered by online casinos with a valid German licence under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021). Licensed operators must also follow technical and player-protection rules overseen by the GGL.
For players, the main restrictions are simple: there must be a five-second gap between spins, and the maximum stake is 1 euro per round. These limits apply to slot play generally and are meant to slow the pace of gambling.
Additional requirements
Licensed casinos must show responsible gambling information, let players set deposit limits, and connect to the national self-exclusion system OASIS. Autoplay is not allowed, and the 1 euro stake cap also applies during free spins.
Playing on mobile devices
Book of Ra now runs in HTML5 rather than the old Flash format, so you can play it directly in your mobile browser without downloading an app.
On most German casino sites, the game works through a responsive website on both Android and iPhone. The layout is adapted for smaller screens, the buttons stay easy to use, and the overall experience is close to the desktop version.
Advantages and disadvantages
Book of Ra is easy to understand and still has the potential for big wins. Its main feature is the expanding symbol in free spins, which can turn one spin into a strong payout. At the same time, it is an older slot with a low RTP and fairly high volatility, so it won’t suit every player.
Strengths
- Simple setup: five reels, 9 paylines and no complicated bonus layers.
- The expanding symbol in free spins can cover whole reels and create large payouts.
- The optional Gamble feature lets you try to double a base game win.
- Commonly available at GGL-licensed online casinos in Germany, often in both demo and real-money mode.
Weaknesses
- The original version looks dated compared with newer slots.
- High volatility means longer losing stretches can happen between bigger wins.
- The 92.13% RTP is low by current slot standards.
- The soundtrack is iconic for some players, but others may find it repetitive.
Similar games and alternatives
If you like Book of Ra, the closest alternative is often Play'n GO's Book of Dead. It uses the same expanding special symbol in free spins, but with more modern graphics, smoother animation and a listed RTP of 96.21%.
Other Novomatic titles
Novomatic also offers Book of Ra Magic and Book of Ra Deluxe 6. Book of Ra Magic can add up to nine expanding symbols through retriggers, which can make the bonus round much stronger. Book of Ra Deluxe 6 adds an optional sixth reel and raises the top win to 15,000x your stake.
Both keep the familiar Book of Ra format: 10 free spins and one chosen symbol that expands during the feature. If you want the same basic idea with a fresher presentation, these are the main alternatives to look at.