Book Of Ra
What is Book of Ra?
Book of Ra is a slot from Novomatic, first released in land-based casinos in 2005 and later brought online through Greentube, Novomatic's digital division. It's one of the most recognisable games in German-speaking markets, built around an ancient Egypt theme — temples, pharaohs, scarabs, and the book symbol the game is named after.
It's a classic rather than a modern feature-heavy release. The presentation is straightforward, the pace is direct, and the appeal comes from a format many players already know. A number of later "book slots" — including Play'n GO's Book of Dead — follow the same broad template. If you see Book of Ra listed at a casino, you're looking at one of Novomatic's signature titles, not a niche variant or a trend game.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic (online via Greentube) |
| Release year | 2005 (Classic), 2008 (Deluxe) |
| Reels × Rows | 5 × 3 |
| Paylines | 9 (Classic) / 10 (Deluxe) |
| RTP | 92.13% (Classic) / 95.10% (Deluxe) — may vary by operator |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 5,000× stake |
| Bonus feature | 10 free spins with a random expanding symbol |
| Special symbol | Book (acts as both Wild and Scatter) |
| Gamble feature | Yes — double or nothing on any win |
| Official website | booksof-ra.de |
How the game works
Book of Ra is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot. The Classic version has 9 adjustable paylines; Book of Ra Deluxe — the version you'll find most often online — has 10. Before each spin you set your coin value and choose how many lines to activate, and the total stake updates automatically. Wins are paid left to right from the first reel.
The controls are straightforward: spin, line selection, and stake adjustment, with autoplay available in most versions. There are no extra decisions during a base-game spin. After any win, an optional gamble feature lets you risk your payout on a double-or-nothing card colour guess — a standard feature across Novomatic slots.
Symbols and payouts
Book of Ra uses a straightforward paytable: card symbols pay the least, Egyptian-themed symbols pay more, and the Book is the special symbol. Exact values can differ between versions and casinos, so always check the in-game paytable for the version you're playing.
- Low symbols: 10, J, Q, K, and A — styled with an Egyptian look, these are the smallest-paying icons.
- Premium symbols: the scarab beetle, the Statue of Horus, the Pharaoh, and the explorer. The explorer is the top regular-paying symbol — five on a payline award 5,000× the line bet.
- Book symbol: acts as both Wild and Scatter. As a Wild it completes winning combinations; as a Scatter it triggers the free spins round and pays out when three or more land anywhere on the reels.
Wins are paid on active paylines from left to right. For premium symbols like the explorer, pharaoh, and Book, payouts start from two matching symbols. The full payout ladder is in the game's paytable menu, and figures may vary between Classic, Deluxe, and other releases.
Free spins and the expanding symbol
The free spins round is the feature that defines Book of Ra. It triggers when three or more Book symbols land anywhere on the reels, awarding 10 free spins. The Books themselves also pay: three return 2× your total bet, four pay 20×, and five pay 200×.
Before the round begins, the game randomly selects one standard symbol to act as the special expanding symbol for the entire bonus. Whenever that symbol appears during free spins, it can expand to fill all three positions on its reel. If matching expanded reels line up across active paylines, a single spin can produce multiple winning combinations at once.
The random selection is what gives the feature its character. A lower-value symbol tends to expand more often, while a premium symbol like the explorer expands less frequently but can be far more valuable when it connects — up to a maximum win of 5,000× your stake. Landing three or more Books during the bonus retrigggers the feature, adding another 10 free spins.
That combination of a fixed trigger and a randomly chosen expanding symbol is why the feature has stayed so recognisable for so long.
RTP, volatility, and max win
Book of Ra doesn't have a single fixed RTP across all versions and casinos. Novomatic allows operators to choose from several certified configurations, so the number you see can vary. Always check the game's help screen before playing for real money.
| Metric | Book of Ra Classic | Book of Ra Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| RTP | 92.13% (land-based default; online may differ) | 95.10% (standard online setting) |
| Volatility | High | High |
| Max win | 5,000× stake | 5,000× stake |
| Paylines | 9 (adjustable) | 10 |
Both versions are high-volatility slots, meaning dry spells are common and returns tend to be uneven. RTP is a long-run average, not a session guarantee — short sessions can feel very different from what the percentage suggests.
Book of Ra versions compared
Since the original 2005 release, Novomatic has developed several follow-up versions. Each keeps the core free spins mechanic with an expanding symbol but adds its own twist.
| Version | Reels | Paylines | RTP | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Classic | 5 | 9 | 92.13% | The original land-based game |
| Book of Ra Deluxe | 5 | 10 | 95.10% | Improved graphics, extra payline, higher RTP |
| Book of Ra Deluxe 6 | 6 | 10 | 95.03% | Optional sixth reel, max win up to 15,000× |
| Book of Ra Magic | 5 | 10 | 95.03% | Each retrigger adds another expanding symbol, up to nine |
| Book of Ra Jackpot Edition | 5 | 10 | 94.26% | Four progressive jackpots |
Most German-licensed platforms carry Book of Ra Deluxe, and it's the version you'll usually find when a site simply lists "Book of Ra" without further detail.
Play Book of Ra on mobile
Book of Ra runs in the mobile browser via Greentube's HTML5 version, so there's no app to download. It loads in Chrome, Safari, and Firefox on both iOS and Android, and works in portrait or landscape orientation.
Tablets are the more comfortable fit — the layout has room to breathe and the buttons are easier to hit. On a phone, the interface is tighter and taps need a bit more care, especially on smaller screens. A stable connection helps; a weak signal can slow the launch or force a session refresh.
A few things worth knowing for Germany players
Mobile availability varies by operator. Some German-facing casinos include Book of Ra in their full mobile lobby; others don't. If you can't find it on mobile, check the desktop version first — it may simply not be in the mobile catalogue for that platform. Also note that auto-play is disabled on most GGL-licensed sites, regardless of device.
Tips for playing smarter
Start with a session limit, not a stake size. A fixed budget gives you a better sense of pace and makes it easier to stop before short-term swings push you into chasing losses.
Keep your bet low enough to last. Book of Ra can produce long quieter stretches between stronger hits, so even a modest stake can drain a balance quickly if you spin fast.
Activate all paylines. Fewer lines means a lower bet, but it also cuts your winning routes and reduces the chance of landing three Book symbols to trigger the free spins bonus.
Try the demo first if you're new to the game. It's the simplest way to get a feel for the pace and test different bet settings before playing for real money.
Be cautious with the gamble feature. It's a 50/50 chance to double a win, but a wrong guess loses the entire payout from that round.
Licensing and legal access in Germany
In Germany, real-money online slots must be offered through a casino licensed under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag) and supervised by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany's Joint Gambling Authority.
All licensed slot play comes with fixed rules: a maximum stake of €1 per spin, a mandatory 5-second pause between spins, and a cross-provider monthly deposit limit of €1,000. These apply to Book of Ra like any other online slot.
Not every GGL-licensed casino carries Book of Ra. It's only available on platforms with a Greentube distribution agreement. Operators that have offered Novomatic titles include StarGames.de, NOVOline, and Löwen Play, though catalogues can change.
Before playing for real money, confirm three things: the casino holds a valid GGL licence and appears on the official whitelist, Book of Ra is available in the real-money lobby for your account, and the site has completed identity verification (KYC). If a site accepts German players without clear licensing information, treat it with caution.
Pros and cons
- Book of Ra is easy to understand and has strong name recognition in Germany. If you want a classic slot without modern complexity, it still holds up.
- The free spins feature can produce big wins — up to 5,000× your stake when a premium symbol expands across the reels.
- The Classic version has a below-average RTP of 92.13%. The Deluxe version at 95.10% is the better choice if RTP matters to you.
- The visuals and sound feel dated compared to newer slots, and the gameplay can get repetitive if you prefer variety.