✦ Complete Guide
How to Play Book of Ra
Book of Ra is a 5-reel slot by Novomatic built around a single dual-function symbol — the Book — that serves as both Wild and Scatter, unlocking the game's signature free-spins bonus round.
Reels
5
Paylines (Deluxe)
10
RTP
95.10%
Volatility
High
Key Symbols
The Book of Ra
Wild + ScatterThe most important symbol in the game. In the base game it substitutes for all other symbols (Wild). Three Books anywhere on the reels trigger the free-spins bonus (Scatter). During free spins it transforms into the expanding wild.
The Explorer
Premium symbolThe adventurer figure — often compared to Indiana Jones. This is the highest-paying symbol: five Explorers on a payline pay 2,000× your line bet.
Ra (Sun God)
Premium symbolThe Egyptian sun god, usually depicted with a falcon head. Second-highest payer — five Ra symbols on a payline return 1,500× the line bet.
The Scarab
Mid-value symbolA classic Egyptian good-luck charm. Pays at a mid-range rate and appears frequently on the reels.
Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10
Low-value symbolsThe standard playing card ranks. These appear most often but pay the least. They fill the majority of reel positions.
Expanding Wild
Free spins onlyDrawn randomly at the start of the free-spin round from all symbols in the game. Whenever it lands during free spins, it expands to fill the entire reel — and covers every reel it touches — creating the potential for massive payouts.
Free Spins — The Core Feature
Trigger
Land 3, 4, or 5 Book symbols anywhere on the reels to trigger 10 free spins. Four Books also award a bet multiplier (×2); five Books award ×5 before the round begins.
Expanding Wild Draw
One symbol is randomly selected from the full paytable. It becomes the expanding wild for the entire free-spin round. Drawing the Explorer or Ra as the expanding wild gives you the highest win potential.
Expanding Wild in Action
Each time the chosen symbol appears (even partially) during a free spin, it stretches to cover the full reel. If it hits multiple reels at once, it expands across all of them simultaneously — the source of Book of Ra's legendary big-win potential.
Re-trigger
Three new Book symbols during free spins award 10 more spins, with no re-trigger limit. Exceptional sessions where free spins chain together repeatedly can push wins beyond 5,000× the bet.
Bankroll Management & Approach
Play all paylines
Activating all paylines (9 or 10) maximises the frequency of winning combos and the chance of triggering free spins. Cutting lines proportionally reduces both cost and opportunity.
Size your bet to your session bankroll
High volatility means dry spells. Budget for at least 100–200 spins at your chosen bet level — this gives the game enough cycles to potentially deliver a free-spin round.
Start with the free demo
Try Book of Ra Magic free on booksofra.ca before committing real money. Get a feel for how often free spins trigger and how the expanding wild behaves.
No guaranteed strategy exists
Book of Ra uses a certified RNG. Every spin is independent. The 95.10% RTP plays out over millions of spins, not over a single session — no betting pattern changes this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum number of paylines to play in Book of Ra? +
You can technically play with a single payline, but playing all lines (9 in the Classic, 10 in Deluxe) maximises your chances of landing winning combinations and triggering the free-spins feature. Reducing paylines lowers your cost per spin but cuts your win opportunities proportionally.
Can the free spins re-trigger? +
Yes. Landing 3 or more Book symbols during the free-spin round awards 10 additional spins. The expanding wild symbol stays the same, and there's no cap on how many times you can re-trigger — exceptional sessions can stack dozens of free spins.
Does the expanding wild cover full reels? +
Absolutely. Whichever symbol is drawn at the start of the free-spin round becomes the expanding wild. Any time it lands on a reel, it stretches to fill the entire reel height — and if it hits multiple reels simultaneously, it expands across all of them.
Ready to try it?
Spin Book of Ra for free in demo mode — no sign-up needed.