Book Of Ra
What is Book of Ra?
Book of Ra is a classic Novomatic slot with an ancient Egyptian treasure-hunt theme. Released in 2005, it follows an explorer through tombs, ruins, and desert settings, with symbols such as pharaohs, scarabs, statues, and temple icons. It remains one of the best-known slots in this style because the theme is simple and easy to recognise.
In Romania, Book of Ra is still a familiar name at online casinos that carry Novomatic games. Some players know it from older land-based machines, while others know it from online casinos. It isn't a new release, but it still works as a reference point for Egyptian-themed slots.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic / Greentube |
| Release year | 2005 |
| Layout | 5 reels, 3 rows |
| Paylines | 9 adjustable |
| RTP | Around 92.13%, but this can vary by version or operator |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 5,000× stake |
| Bonus feature | 10 free spins with an expanding symbol |
| Special symbol | The Book acts as both wild and scatter |
| Gamble feature | Yes, with a red-or-black card guess |
| Progressive jackpot | No |
How to play the game
Book of Ra is a 5-reel, 3-row slot. In the classic version, you can choose how many paylines to activate, up to 9. Only active lines count when the reels stop.
Before each spin, set your stake using the on-screen bet controls. The total bet usually depends on the number of active paylines and the coin value. Romanian casino sites may show these controls a little differently, but the setup is usually the same: line selection, bet adjustment, and the spin button.
Basic controls
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Reels | 5 reels, 3 rows |
| Paylines | Adjustable, up to 9 |
| Bet setting | Changed with the on-screen stake controls |
| Spin | Starts one round at the current total bet |
| Winning direction | Left to right on active paylines |
When you're ready, press spin. The reels stop automatically, and the game checks the symbols on your active paylines. Winning combinations normally have to start on the first reel and run from left to right. If you want to change your stake, do it before the next spin.
Game symbols
In classic Book of Ra, the explorer is the top regular symbol. Five explorers on a payline can pay 5,000× the line bet. Below it are the pharaoh mask, the Isis statue, and the scarab. Exact payouts can vary a little by casino or version, so the in-game paytable is the one to check.
| Symbol type | Symbols | How they pay |
|---|---|---|
| Highest value | Explorer | Usually pays from 2 of a kind; up to 5,000× line bet for five |
| High value | Pharaoh, Isis statue, Scarab | Usually pay from 2 of a kind, but less than the explorer |
| Lower value | A, K, Q, J, 10 | Usually pay from 3 of a kind and appear more often |
| Special | Book of Ra | Works as both wild and scatter; often pays 2×, 20×, or 200× total bet for 3, 4, or 5 |
The lower-paying card symbols help make up many of the smaller wins in the base game.
The Book symbol is the most important one to understand. It can act as a wild to replace standard symbols in line wins, and it also works as a scatter. That means three or more Books anywhere on the reels can trigger the bonus and pay a separate scatter win.
Bonus features
Three or more Book scatter symbols anywhere on the reels trigger 10 free spins. At the start of the feature, one regular paying symbol is picked at random as the special expanding symbol. During free spins, if that symbol lands on a reel, it can expand to fill the whole reel and help create bigger wins. It also pays like a scatter in the bonus, so matching symbols don't need to land on adjacent reels. If three or more Book symbols appear again during free spins, the feature can be retriggered.
Gamble feature
After a base game win, you can use the optional gamble feature instead of collecting the payout straight away. You guess whether the next card will be red or black. If you're right, the win doubles. If you're wrong, you lose that win. This can usually be repeated up to five times in a row.
RTP and volatility
Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot. In simple terms, wins tend to come less often, but some can be larger. That can make sessions feel uneven, with quiet periods followed by sharper swings in balance.
The RTP for Book of Ra Classic is often listed at about 92.13%, but the exact figure can vary by operator and game version. Novomatic can offer different RTP settings, so the best way to check is in the game's info panel at the casino where you play. RTP is a long-term average, not a guide to what will happen in one short session.
Other versions of the game
Book of Ra is a small slot series rather than just one game. In Romanian online casinos, the exact range depends on the operator, but these are the versions players usually come across. RTP figures can vary slightly by release or casino setup.
| Version | Paylines | RTP | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Deluxe (2008) | 10 | ~95.10% | The best-known update of the original. It keeps the same basic gameplay, with better graphics, smoother animation, and 10 paylines instead of 9. |
| Book of Ra Magic (2018) | 10 | ~95.03% | The main change is in free spins: every retrigger adds another expanding symbol, up to 9 in total, which can make bonus rounds stronger than in the standard game. |
| Book of Ra 6 | 10 | ~95.03% | Includes an optional Extra Bet that adds a sixth reel. That changes the layout and increases the game's maximum win potential. |
If you know the standard Book of Ra first, these versions are easy to place. Deluxe is the closest match to the classic, while Magic and Book of Ra 6 feel more like alternative versions of the same idea.
The free demo version
The Book of Ra demo is the same slot as the real-money version, but without using real funds. At many licensed Romanian online casinos that offer Novomatic games, you can open it in free play mode and see how the full game works before spending anything.
The core mechanics stay the same: reels, paylines, symbols, bonus triggers, and the general payout model. That makes the demo a practical way to understand the pace of the game, especially because Book of Ra can have long quieter stretches between stronger feature rounds.
For Romanian players, the demo is mainly a way to check whether the game suits you. You can get used to the interface, see how the bonus feature works, and decide if this is the version of Book of Ra you want to play for real money.
Playing on mobile devices
Book of Ra works well on smartphones and tablets through HTML5, so you can play it in a mobile browser on both iOS and Android without losing the main desktop features.
The layout adjusts cleanly to smaller screens, with spin controls, bet settings, and the paytable still easy to reach. The reels remain clear on touch displays, so moving between desktop and mobile feels straightforward rather than like learning a different version of the game.
On most modern devices, performance is smooth and the interface fits the screen well, whether you're playing on a phone for a short session or using a tablet with more space.
Betting strategies
Keep your stake low enough to handle long losing runs. Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot, so it can stay quiet for a while and then swing quickly. A flat betting approach is usually easier to manage than increasing your stake after losses. Set a session budget before you start and break it into smaller limits, so one bad run doesn't wipe out your whole bankroll.
Loss limits matter more than chasing a feature. Decide in advance how much you're willing to lose and stop when you reach that point. The gamble feature adds even more volatility, so it may be better to skip it if your goal is to protect your balance and play for longer. These are control tools, not winning systems. Only play with money you can afford to lose.
Deposit and withdrawal options in Romania
Romanian licensed casinos that offer Book of Ra usually support the standard local payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Paysafecard, and e-wallets such as Skrill or Neteller. The exact cashier depends on the operator, so limits, fees, and processing times can vary from one site to another.
| Method | Main use | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Visa / Mastercard | Deposits and often withdrawals | Widely available. Deposits are usually quick, while card withdrawals can take longer. |
| Paysafecard | Deposits | Prepaid and easy to use, but usually not available for withdrawals. |
| Skrill / Neteller | Deposits and withdrawals | Often faster than cards, if the casino supports them. |
Before a first withdrawal is processed, Romanian rules require account verification. That usually means sending ID and sometimes proof of address or proof of payment method.
Deposits are often instant. Withdrawals can take from a few hours to several working days after approval. Minimum deposit amounts also vary, so it's worth checking the cashier before you sign up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum win in Book of Ra?
In Book of Ra Classic, the highest standard payout is 5,000x the line bet for five explorer symbols on an active payline. In free spins, the top win can also reach 5,000x stake when the explorer is chosen as the expanding symbol. Some settings may vary by operator, so the in-game paytable is the best place to check.
Does Book of Ra have a progressive jackpot?
No. Classic Book of Ra is a fixed-payout slot, so wins come from its paytable and bonus feature, not from a pooled jackpot. Novomatic has also released Book of Ra Jackpot Edition, but that is a different game.
Can you play Book of Ra for free in Romania?
Yes, many licensed casinos in Romania offer a demo version. Availability depends on the operator, but demo play usually follows the same rules and features as the real-money game.
Is Book of Ra Deluxe the same as Book of Ra?
No. Book of Ra Deluxe is a separate version released in 2008. It keeps the same Egyptian theme and core gameplay, but adds 10 paylines instead of 9, updated visuals, and a higher RTP of about 95.10% versus 92.13% for the Classic version.
What is the RTP of Book of Ra Classic?
The RTP most often listed for Book of Ra Classic is 92.13%, but Novomatic can allow different RTP settings depending on the casino. Check the game info panel at your chosen operator for the exact figure.