Book of Dead: The Ultimate Guide for Aussie Players
Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead has become one of the most popular pokies among Australian players, and for good reason. This ancient Egyptian adventure from Play'n GO combines stunning visuals with genuinely exciting gameplay mechanics that keep players coming back to the tombs of the pharaohs.
How the Expanding Symbol Feature Works
The standout feature that sets Book of Dead apart from other Egyptian-themed pokies is the expanding symbol mechanic during free spins. When you land three or more Book scatter symbols anywhere on the reels, you're awarded 10 free spins. But here's where it gets interesting.
Before your free spins begin, the game randomly selects one symbol to become the special expanding symbol. During the free spins, whenever this chosen symbol appears on the reels, it expands to cover the entire reel before pays are awarded. The crucial difference from standard pokies rules is that the expanding symbol pays on any position along an active payline, not just left to right.
If Rich Wilde himself is selected as the expanding symbol and fills all three positions on multiple reels, you're looking at potentially massive payouts. With Rich Wilde paying 5,000 coins for five-of-a-kind, the expanding mechanic can deliver wins that Aussie players dream about.
Understanding the Book Symbol
The mystical Book of Dead serves a dual purpose that makes it the most valuable symbol in the game. As a Wild, it substitutes for all other symbols to help create winning combinations on your active paylines. But it's also a Scatter, meaning it pays regardless of where it lands on the reels.
Three Books trigger the free spins feature, but if you land four or five Books, you'll collect scatter wins of 20x and 200x your total bet respectively before the free spins even begin. These scatter wins are added to any payline wins you've achieved on that spin.
The Gamble Feature Strategy
After any winning spin, Book of Dead offers you the choice to gamble your winnings. You can attempt to double your win by correctly guessing the colour of a face-down card (red or black, giving you 50% odds), or quadruple it by guessing the suit (25% odds).
You can gamble up to five consecutive times or until you reach 2,500 coins, whichever comes first. The game shows you a history of previously revealed cards, though each new card comes from a fresh deck, so the history is purely informational rather than strategic.
Experienced Aussie players often use the gamble feature selectively, choosing to gamble smaller wins while collecting larger ones. The decision is entirely yours, with a collect button always available if you'd rather bank your winnings.
Symbol Values and Paytable
Book of Dead features a clear hierarchy of symbols. The high-value Egyptian deities include Rich Wilde (5,000 coins for five), the golden Pharaoh (2,000 coins), and both Anubis and Horus at 750 coins each. These premium symbols start paying from just two matching symbols on a payline.
The lower-value symbols are represented by ornate card ranks A, K, Q, J, and 10, each rendered in distinctive colours with golden embellishments. The Ace and King both pay 150 coins for five-of-a-kind, while Queen, Jack, and 10 each award 100 coins for a full line.
Betting Options for Australian Players
Book of Dead accommodates both casual players and high rollers with flexible betting options. You can adjust the coin value, number of coins per line (up to 5), and number of active paylines (up to 10). This means minimum bets start quite low, while the Bet Max button lets you instantly activate all paylines at maximum coins for those chasing the biggest potential wins.
The game calculates your total bet by multiplying coin value × coins per line × active paylines. Australian players appreciate this transparent betting structure that puts you in complete control of your stake.
Why Aussie Players Love Book of Dead
Beyond the compelling ancient Egyptian theme and atmospheric soundtrack, Book of Dead has earned its reputation among Australian pokies enthusiasts through consistently exciting gameplay. The frequent base game wins keep your balance ticking over, while the potential for massive expanding symbol hits during free spins provides that edge-of-your-seat excitement.
The game works flawlessly on mobile devices, meaning you can spin the reels on your phone during your commute or lunch break. The interface is intuitive, with clearly labeled buttons and an easily accessible paytable that explains all features in detail.
Play'n GO's reputation for fair, tested games gives players confidence that every spin is genuinely random and that the advertised maximum win of 250,000 coins is actually achievable, not just theoretical marketing.