Quick verdict: Book of Ra is Novomatic’s 2005 slot that started the whole “Book” genre: explore a tomb with an adventurer, land three Books for 10 free spins, and hope a high-paying symbol expands across the reels. The classic version has a low 92.13% RTP; Book of Ra Deluxe raises it to 95.10% and adds a tenth payline. Both are high volatility with a 5,000x top win.

Where we play Book of Ra

1win is our top-rated casino (9.9/10), with thousands of slots and a crypto withdrawal that took 15 minutes in our test.

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18+. T&Cs apply. Not available in every country. Game libraries vary, so search the lobby for Book of Ra.

Book of Ra at a glance

ProviderNovomatic (Greentube)
Released2005 (Deluxe later)
Layout5 reels, 3 rows
PaylinesClassic: 1 to 9; Deluxe: 1 to 10
RTPClassic 92.13%; Deluxe 95.10%
VolatilityHigh
Min betFrom $0.01 per line
Max win5,000x your stake
Free spins10, with an expanding symbol
Book of Ra slot reels

How Book of Ra works

Wins pay left to right on the active paylines. The adventurer pays the most, followed by the pharaoh mask, the scarab and the statue, with card royals at the bottom. The Book symbol is both wild and scatter, so it substitutes for everything and pays anywhere on the reels.

Free spins and the expanding symbol

Three or more Books trigger 10 free spins. Before they start, one regular symbol is picked at random to be the expanding symbol. Whenever it lands on enough reels to make a win, it fills those reels completely and pays on every active line. Three more Books during the feature retrigger it.

Classic vs Deluxe

The original Book of Ra has 9 paylines and a 92.13% RTP, which is low by today’s standards. Book of Ra Deluxe updates the graphics, adds a tenth payline and raises the RTP to 95.10%. If both are available, Deluxe is the better choice.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Simple rules and a famous bonusClassic RTP of 92.13% is low
Expanding symbol can fill the screenHigh volatility means long dry spells
Bets from a cent per lineDated look on the classic version
5,000x max winOnly one bonus feature

Tips

  • Pick Book of Ra Deluxe over the classic version where you can, for the better RTP.
  • Play all lines: expanding symbols pay per line, so fewer lines means smaller bonus wins.
  • If you like the format, Play’n GO’s Book of Dead offers a 96.21% default RTP.
  • Find more low-stake options in our 1 cent slots guide.

Where to play Book of Ra

Our first choice is 1win (9.9/10), which paid our test crypto withdrawal in 15 minutes. BitStarz (9.5/10) is a good alternative. Novomatic games are widely available, but casino libraries vary by country, so search the lobby before you deposit, and check the RTP in the game info screen. Compare more options in our casino reviews.

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Book of Ra FAQs

What is the RTP of Book of Ra?

92.13% for the classic version and 95.10% for Book of Ra Deluxe.

How do you trigger free spins in Book of Ra?

Land three or more Book symbols anywhere for 10 free spins with an expanding symbol.

What is the max win on Book of Ra?

5,000x your stake.

Is Book of Ra Deluxe better than the original?

Yes for most players: it has a higher RTP and an extra payline.

Who makes Book of Ra?

Novomatic, through its online studio Greentube.

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18+. T&Cs apply.

Check your local laws before you play

Online gambling laws differ from country to country, and in some places it is restricted or not permitted at all. Before you sign up to any casino listed on UltraGambler, check that online gambling is legal where you live and that the casino accepts players from your country. You must be 18 or older (or the legal gambling age in your country, if higher) to play. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and use the deposit limits and self-exclusion tools your casino provides if gambling stops being fun.

About the author: Jason Thompson

Jason Thompson is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of UltraGambler. He has more than 20 years' experience in bookmaking and the casino industry, and has spent the last 7 years reviewing online casinos. Jason oversees every casino review and rating on the site, using UltraGambler's hands-on, real-money testing process.