Book of Dead — Play Play'n GO's Egyptian Classic at JustWOW
Book of Dead is one of the most iconic online slots ever made. Play'n GO's 2016 release has maintained its position in the top ten most played slots for nearly a decade — and it's not hard to see why. Daring explorer Rich Wilde, ancient Egypt, a mystical book of spells and a 5,000× maximum win make for a combination that never gets old.
JustWOW offers Book of Dead at the full 91.25% RTP — the best available version. On this page we cover everything: game mechanics, features, free spins logic, the RTP version issue that most players don't know about, and tips for getting the most out of every session.
| Game | Book of Dead |
| Provider | Play'n GO |
| Released | 2016 |
| Reels / rows | 5×3 |
| Paylines | 10 (adjustable) |
| RTP | 91.25% |
| Volatility | High |
| Min bet | €0.10 |
| Max bet | €10 |
| Max win | 5,000× bet |
| Free spins | Yes — 10 spins, triggered by 3+ Book symbols |
| Bonus Buy | Not in standard version |
| Mobile | Yes — all devices |
What Is Book of Dead? Game Overview
Book of Dead is a classic 5-reel, 10-payline slot — a straightforward structure that has stood the test of time. The game follows explorer Rich Wilde on a quest through ancient Egyptian tombs, surrounded by hieroglyphics, golden statues and the mystery of the Book of the Dead itself.
Symbols are Egyptian classics: Rich Wilde is the most valuable, followed by Anubis, the Pharaoh mask, the golden eagle — and low-value playing card symbols (10–A). The Book of Dead symbol acts as both Wild and Scatter simultaneously, making it the single most important symbol in the game.
Wins form when 3 or more matching symbols land left to right on an active payline. All 10 paylines are adjustable — you can activate fewer, but playing all 10 is strongly recommended for maximum win potential.
Book of Dead Features
Book of Dead Wild & Scatter
The Book symbol powers the entire game — it works in two roles:
- Wild: Substitutes for any other symbol to complete winning combinations
- Scatter: 3 or more Books anywhere on the reels triggers the free spins feature
This dual role makes the Book exceptionally valuable — it doesn't just complete paylines, it opens the game's most powerful feature.
Free Spins and the Expanding Symbol 🎰
The free spins round is where Book of Dead truly comes alive — and where the biggest wins happen.
When 3 or more Book symbols land on the reels, you receive 10 free spins. Before the round begins, the game randomly selects one symbol to become a special expanding symbol.
This expanding symbol is the magic of the feature: if the chosen symbol lands on any reel during free spins, it expands to cover the entire reel — all three rows. If the same symbol lands on multiple reels simultaneously, the entire screen can fill with one symbol.
Example: Rich Wilde is selected as the expanding symbol. During free spins, Rich Wilde lands on reels 1, 3 and 5. All three reels expand to full coverage — three 3-row Rich Wilde combinations across all 10 paylines. This is how maximum wins are born.
Gamble Feature
After every win you can activate the optional Gamble feature. Correctly guessing the card colour doubles your win — correctly guessing the suit quadruples it. Guessing wrong loses the entire win. In a high-volatility game, use this feature with caution.
RTP — Why the Version You Play Matters
Here's something most players don't know: Play'n GO offers Book of Dead in multiple RTP versions.
| RTP version | What it means |
|---|---|
| 91.25% | Best version — what JustWOW offers |
| 94.25% | Reduced version |
| 91.25% | Significantly worse return |
| 87.25% | Very poor version |
| 84.18% | Worst version — nearly 12% worse than the best |
Casinos can choose which version to offer — and they don't have to tell you clearly. If you're playing Book of Dead at 84.18% RTP without knowing it, you're losing statistically almost twice as much as on JustWOW's full version.
JustWOW offers Book of Dead at 91.25% RTP. Always check the in-game paytable before playing — the exact RTP is displayed there.
High volatility means in practice:
- Long stretches without big wins are completely normal
- Free spins are where the real money is made
- The expanding symbol is everything — Rich Wilde or Anubis filling the screen is a moment to remember
- Recommended bankroll: at least 100× your chosen bet size per session
How to Play Book of Dead at JustWOW
- Log in or register at justwow.com/en
- Find Book of Dead in the game lobby or use the search bar
- Set your paylines — we recommend all 10
- Set your bet (€0.10 – €100 per spin)
- Hit Spin — the reels roll
- Chase 3 Book symbols — free spins trigger
- Watch which symbol is selected as expanding — and hope for Rich Wilde
Tips for Playing Book of Dead
Activate all 10 paylines. Playing fewer lines reduces your bet but also your win potential — you can't hit the maximum win without all lines active.
Budget for the long game. Free spins can take 50–100 spins to trigger. Don't burn through your budget before the feature lands.
Don't gamble big wins. The Gamble feature is tempting, but in a high-volatility game a rare large win is precious — don't risk losing it.
Try the demo first. Understand the game's rhythm before playing for real money — especially how the expanding symbol mechanic works.
Book of Dead vs. The Rich Wilde Series — What Else Is at JustWOW?
Play'n GO has built an entire series of Rich Wilde games. At JustWOW you'll find:
| Game | RTP | Max win | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Dead (2016) | 91.25% | 5,000× | Expanding symbol |
| Book of Fallen (2021) | 96.20% | 5,000× | Expanding + multiplier |
| Book of Shadows (2021) | 96.26% | 5,000× | 2 expanding symbols |
| Tome of Madness (2019) | 96.35% | 1,000× | Portal feature |
Our recommendation: Start with the original Book of Dead — simplest mechanics, highest recognition, most iconic experience. The sequels add complexity but aren't necessarily better for first-time players.
Why Play Book of Dead at JustWOW?
✅ Full 91.25% RTP — not a reduced version eating into your returns
✅ Wager-free free spins — winnings paid as cash immediately
✅ Finnish-language customer support — help available daily 10:00–02:00
✅ Tax-free winnings — MGA licence means Finnish players pay no tax on winnings
✅ Fast withdrawals — winnings in your account within 24 hours
✅ Loyalty rewards — playing Book of Dead earns iron and gold coins
Frequently Asked Questions — Book of Dead at JustWOW
What is the RTP of Book of Dead at JustWOW?
JustWOW offers Book of Dead at the full 91.25% RTP — the best available version. Play'n GO also offers the game in reduced versions down to 84.18% — always check the in-game paytable to confirm which version your casino is running.
How do free spins trigger in Book of Dead?
Free spins trigger when 3 or more Book of Dead symbols land anywhere on the reels. You receive 10 free spins and the game randomly selects one expanding symbol. Landing 4 or 5 Books awards additional free spins.
What is the maximum win in Book of Dead?
The maximum win is 5,000× your bet. At the maximum bet of €100 that equals a €500,000 win. The biggest wins happen during free spins when the expanding symbol fills multiple reels simultaneously.
Is Book of Dead the same as Book of Ra?
No. Book of Ra is by Novomatic/Greentube, Book of Dead is by Play'n GO. They are entirely separate games from different developers. Book of Dead launched in 2016 partly as a response to Book of Ra's popularity, but it's a completely original game — and widely considered the superior version of the concept, with higher RTP, better graphics and more modern execution.
Which expanding symbol should I hope for?
Rich Wilde is the most valuable symbol and therefore the best expanding symbol to land. Anubis is the second best. Card symbols (10, J, Q, K, A) as expanding symbols are disappointing — even filling the screen produces relatively small wins compared to the premium symbols.
Can I play Book of Dead on mobile?
Yes. Book of Dead is fully optimised for mobile play. It runs on all iOS and Android devices directly in the browser — no app download required.
Start Playing — Book of Dead Is Waiting at JustWOW
Book of Dead has earned its legendary status honestly. Simple but deeply engaging mechanics, free spins where Rich Wilde or Anubis can fill the entire screen — and that unmistakable feeling when the Books start landing. This is classic slot gaming at its best.
✅ Already a JustWOW player? Find Book of Dead in the game lobby and start spinning.
🆕 New player? Register and get 20 wager-free free spins instantly — you can use them on Book of Dead.
JustWOW Casino — MGA/B2C/522/2018 — Esports Entertainment Limited, Malta. Gamble responsibly. 18+.