Banquet of Dead

Banquet of Dead Slot Review

Slot Provider: Play n Go

RTP: 96% | Variance: High | Maximum Win: 35,000x

Our Score: 8.0

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QUICK LINKS: Game Information | Where To Play | Full Review | Testing Notes | Tips For Players | About The Developer

WHY YOU CAN TRUST THIS REVIEW: The information and opinions on this page are the result of an comprehensive process of information gathering and live game testing by the gambling experts who work at allslotsites.com. Find out more here.

About Banquet of Dead

Reviewed by:

Published Date: 9th February 2024

How We Review Slot Games

We test and rate all slot games across 5 criteria, assigning a score out of 10 for each and an overall score that is an average of the 5. To build an accurate assessment of each game we gather information from the supplier and play in real play or demo mode. Find out more.

Banquet of Dead is a Book of … style high variance slot from Play n Go set in Ancient Egypt. It uses the classic format these games are known for in which one symbol is chosen as an expander in the free spins round. It will expand to help complete paylines. It also causes the lowest value symbols in the paytable to be removed from the reels. This improves the odds of bigger wins. It’s not particularly original but it does have an outstanding 35,000x max win.

This game is available in slot sites from March 7th 2024. Spins start at just 1p per play.

Banquet of Dead Game Information

  • Release Date: 07.03.24
  • RTP: 96%
  • Variance: High
  • Maximum Win: 35,000x
  • Progressive Jackpot: No
  • Reels: 5
  • Rows: 3
  • Paylines: 10
  • Minimum Stake: £0.10
  • Theme: Egypt
  • Features: Wilds, Expanding Symbols, Free Spins
  • Format: 5-Reel

Testing Notes: Here’s What Happened When We Played Banquet of Dead

IMPORTANT: To give you an accurate assessment of the games we review our writers play 200 spins. Whilst this is a useful tool to help us review games and to give an example of what might happen when you play, keep in mind that 200 spins is only a very small sample and cannot be used to accurately predict what might happen over another 200 spins. The outcome of all slots play is always random.

Boom Or Bust? Our Session By The Numbers

I played 200 spins on Banquet of Dead on Play n Go’s test server prior to release to test the game. This is what happened.

  • Stake Size: $1
  • Start balance: $25,000
  • End balance: $25,081
  • Hit Rate: 20.8% (52 winning spins in 250)
  • Biggest Win: 179x
  • Free Spins Round: 2

Banquet of Dead delivered well for me here. Over 250 spins the hit rate wasn’t huge at 20.8% and the base game wins never exceeded 5x, but the free spins round did trigger twice. Both times it chose a premium symbol as the expander – the fan, then the fruit bowl. I picked up a 50x win in the first round and a 179x win in the second.

Free Spins Round In Banquet of Dead
Expanders on 4 reels in free spins in testing

The game can be a grind, but it can also be exciting when you are running with a premium symbol in free spins as I was. I had 4 expanders on the last spin as you can see here, to produce wins on what looked like all 10 paylines. On a lucky day it’s pure fun – imaging getting the top paying premium as your expander and a few extra spins to extend the round!

179x win in Banquet of Dead
A 179x win from the second of 2 free spins rounds

What We Liked

  • Awesome production with sumptuous banquet scene
  • Huge 35,000x maximum win unusual for Book of ... slots
  • Low value symbols removed from the reels during free spins
  • Possible to extend free spins round to up to 30 spins
  • Low minimum stake at 10p per play

What We Didn't like

  • Very similar to other Play n Go Book of ... games
  • Some sites may run the game at a low RTP rate

Banquet of Dead Review Scores

  • Theme and Design 9
  • RTP and Variance 8
  • Maximum Win 9
  • Symbols and Paytable 7
  • Features and Gameplay 7

What Our Reviewer Says ...

"Not an original that's for sure but the quality of the production and the high potential just about carry this game far enough to make it worth a look!"

Overall Score: 8.0

Theme & Design

Our Score 9

A Feast To Mark The Passing of the Dead Is The Scene For This Slot

The location and context for Book of games from Play n Go never moves far from Ancient Egypt. Sometimes the games have a more ghostly feel, or they move from outside in the desert to inside the tombs of those dead souls, but they always have a familiar look and feel. And of course, Banquet of Dead is no different. This time we are inside a giant banquet hall. It’s an impressive scene with plenty of flaming fire pits, big vases and bowls of fruit alongside palms and strings of pink roses. A celebration of the dead no doubt, accompanied by a tense orchestral track to put you in the mood for some Book of spins. It’s a good-looking slot, no question, and one that will appeal to fans of the series for sure.

Banquet of Dead by Play n Go
Banquet of Dead – a sumptuous feast of celebration

RTP and Variance

Our Score 8

What is RTP?

RTP (Return to Player) refers to the amount a game will pay out in cash prizes expressed as a percentage of all the money wagered on that game. For example, a 96% RTP means a game will pay out £96 for every £100 wagered. This is an average number and will vary from one session to the next.  Read more here.

What is Variance?

Variance refers to how far a game will deviate from its RTP over time. High variance games deviate a lot and produce uneven win distributions and unexpected windfalls. Low variance games provide a more stable and even distribution of wins. Read more here.

Banquet of Dead has a default 96% RTP though you should check the rate at your casino by browsing the game info screen before you play as Play n Go games often have multiple RTP settings, including some less than 90%, which are to be avoided.

As you would expect from a Book of … game the variance is high and this slot is unpredictable, but with the capacity to blow its top every once in a while. If you play, you’ll be hoping that’s you, but don’t count on it and set your stake accordingly to absorb those tougher times.

Maximum Win

Our Score 9

What Is Maximum Win?

Maximum win refers to the maximum amount a player can win from one spin. It is expressed as a multiple of the stake. For example, where the maximum win is 100,000x, from a £1 stake, the maximum win would be £100,000.  

The maximum payout is an impressive 35,000x. Play n Go are not as famous for their high max wins as studios like Nolimit City, but they still build them like this from time to time and if chasing down the big numbers is your thing then Banquet of Dead is one you should try.

Symbols and Paytable

Our Score 7

As standard in Book of … games the layout is 5 reels and 3 rows, with 10 paylines to trigger wins on. You need 3 or more identical symbols to land on a line from left to right, starting at the left-most reel to trigger a win.

Banquet of Dead Paytable
Banquet of Dead Paytable with 150x for 5 top paying premiums

There are 9 pay symbols in all. The low payers are the cards, 9 through to Ace. These are valued at from 0.5x for 3 9s up to 20x for 5 Aces. The premiums are the fan, the bowl of fruit, Anubis and the Queen. These are valued at from 0.5x for 3 fans up to 150x for 5 of the Queens.

As normal, there is also a Scatter symbol that is represented by a picture of a temple. And as always, that symbol doubles as a Wild which will substitute for any other symbol to complete a payline, AND pays out at 0.5x, 2.5x, 25x or 150x for 2, 3, 4 or 5 appearing ANYWHERE on the reels.

Features and Gameplay

Our Score 7

So, if you are familiar with classic Book of … slots then you won’t be surprised but what Play n Go cooked up, or rather re-heated for the gameplay in Banquet of Dead.

Before we get into the headline act, a reminder that in all Book of .. games you can gamble on any win by hitting the Gamble button at the bottom of the screen. Bet red of black for 2x or the card suit for 4x. But remember, lose the bet and you lose all your winnings.

Banquet of Dead Gamble Feature
Gambling winnings for 2x or 4x

The name of the game is to get into that free spins round. You do that by landing 3 or more Scatters which gets you 7 spins, as well as the payouts previously mentioned. Before the round starts one symbol from the pay table is randomly chosen to be an expander. At any point during the round, if one of these symbols lands and by expanding it can help form more win lines, then it does.

And in a small twist, when the expander is used on a spin, then the lowest value symbols is removed from the reels for the remaining spin. This happens every time, so over the course of your spins the remaining symbols becomes more weighted towards the top end of the pay table. That makes it easier to trigger bigger wins.

Expanding Symbols in Banquet of Dead
Expanding Symbols on reels 3, 4 and 5

NOTE: If your expander is one of the symbols that is removed then a new one is chosen.

Finally, it is also possible to add a further 3 spins to your total by landing 3 more scatters. You can do this up to a maximum of 30 spins.

The Final Verdict

Play n Go’s Book of … games won’t bring you surprises. But that’s not their point. Their longevity is based on the simple fact that the game format is rock solid. It’s simple, easy to follow, and when they go off, they are really satisfying slots to play. And of course, we know that they are hugely popular or Play n Go wouldn’t be knocking out a new one every few months. And in Banquet once again they’ve delivered a game that will enthrall their fans. The production is excellent, with lavish visuals and dramatic score, and the gameplay is as slick as ever. And if that’s not reason enough to play, consider that 35,000x max win too, which takes Banquet to new heights. Enjoy!

Useful Tips When Playing Banquet of Dead

Remember, online slots are games of chance, there is NO strategy that can improve your odds of winning. However, reading our review and following these tips will help you get the most out of your time playing this slot game.

1. Play At A Low Stake

Book of slots have low minimum stakes and its worth taking advantage of that to make your balance stretch when chasing down that elusive bonus round. Read our article on Bankroll Management for more advice on this.

2. Watch Out For The Temple Scatters

Keep your eyes peeled at all times for those temple scatters because they are your ticket to the free spins round. You need at least 3 to trigger it, and once you do you’ll have 7 spins to start.

3. See Which Pay Symbols Are Active Above The Reels

Each time you score a win with an expander you’ll see the lowest paying symbol removed from the bar above the reels. You can track which symbols are left. The more low payers disappear, the higher your chances of a big win.

 

4. Spin This Game At Our Recommended Slot Sites

Choose from the slot sites on this page which are all licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. That means they are safe, fair and secure and offer good bonuses with transparent terms and conditions.

 

Who Made Banquet of Dead?

  • Name: Play n Go
  • Established: 1997
  • UK License: Remote 021725-R-304911-020
  • Total Games: 200 +
  • Known For: Grid slots, high variance slots, huge range of themes, styles and maths models
  • Popular Slots: Book of Dead, Reactoonz 1 and 2, Troll Hunters 2, Rise of Olympus
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