The expanding symbol
At the start of free spins, one symbol is chosen at random. Whenever enough of it lands, it expands to cover the full reel and pays across all lines, even if the reels aren't next to each other.
Why it still matters
Many "book" slots copy this design. Learning Book of Dead teaches you the whole family.
Book of Dead at a glance
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Studio | Play'n GO |
| Reels | 5 by 3, 10 lines |
| Volatility | Usually described as high; check the info panel |
| RTP on Stake | Check on Stake |
Before you play
Set a budget and a stop time. Read the paytable in the game. If you're new, start with how to play slots. More from Play'n GO is on our studio page.
Our verdict
Book of Dead is an older slot that still holds up because its one idea is so clear. Five reels, ten lines, and a book symbol that acts as both wild and scatter. Land three books (the standard rule) and you get free spins with one randomly chosen symbol that expands to cover whole reels. If that symbol is a high-paying one, a few landings can pay well. If it's a low one, the round can be thin. The base game is plain, and wins are mostly small. If you like classic slots with no clutter and accept high variance, it's a good choice. The RTP Stake runs and any max win are in the info panel, and Play'n GO offers the game in several RTP versions, so check before you play.
How the expanding symbol pays
At the start of free spins, the game picks a special symbol. When enough of that symbol lands across the reels during free spins, every instance expands to fill its reel. It then pays on all ten lines, and the reels don't need to be next to each other. That's what makes the feature strong. A high-value special symbol on three or four reels can produce a large win from a single spin.
The book symbol
In the standard rules, the book substitutes for other symbols like a wild, three or more anywhere start free spins, and it also pays on its own. Free spins can retrigger if more books land during the round. The paytable for the version Stake runs lists the values, the trigger and the number of spins.
The gamble feature
The standard game offers a gamble after a win: guess a card's color or suit to multiply the win, or lose it. Whether it's switched on, and how it works on Stake, depends on the version and local rules, so check the paytable. It's a bet with no edge in your favor. Skip it unless you've decided in advance that you're happy to risk the whole win.
Book of Dead and its imitators
Many studios have made "book" slots since. They share the expanding symbol idea, often adding a second special symbol or a multiplier. Learning this game teaches you the whole family.
How it compares
Next to Gates of Olympus, Book of Dead is calmer to watch and harsher in variance. Next to Big Bass Bonanza, it has fewer moving parts. It sits on our high-volatility list. Check its RTP in the game's info panel on Stake.
Who it suits
Players who like a classic layout and don't mind long quiet stretches. Set a budget and a stop time, and keep bets small enough for several rounds of free spins.
What to check in the info panel
Read the RTP line, because Play'n GO offers this game at several settings and the casino chooses one. Also check the paytable for the special symbol values, the number of free spins and whether the gamble feature is turned on.
A session plan for Book of Dead
Free spins can take a while to arrive, and a round with a low-paying special symbol can be thin. Give yourself enough spins to see several rounds. A bet that covers three hundred or more spins is a fair start on a modest budget. Skip the gamble feature if it's offered, set a loss limit, and stop when you reach it.
Common misreadings
A special symbol that pays little isn't bad luck that will balance out next round. Each round's pick is random. Books landing on two reels and missing the third aren't near misses. And the game's age doesn't mean it's "looser" than newer slots. The RTP line in the panel is what counts.
Staying in control
18+ only, or the higher legal age where you live. Stake.com isn't available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ontario, and the other countries on Stake's prohibited list. The availability page has the current picture, and we won't explain ways around a block. Set a deposit limit on day one and turn on 2FA. Gambling can be addictive. If you notice yourself raising bets to win money back, stop and look at our responsible gambling page.
FAQ
Which symbol is best to expand?
In the standard paytable the explorer pays the most, but any symbol can carry a round. Check the values in the version Stake runs.
Does the gamble feature help?
Where it's offered, it's a card-guess bet with no edge in your favor. It doesn't add value.
Is it on the high-RTP list?
Check the RTP in the game's info panel on Stake. Our RTP explainer shows how to read it.
Is the special symbol picked at random?
Yes. It's chosen at the start of free spins, and each symbol has its own chance and payout as shown in the paytable.
Can free spins retrigger?
Yes, in the standard rules, if enough books land during the round. The paytable confirms it for the version Stake runs.