Big Bass Bonanza

Big Bass Bonanza Slot Review

Slot Provider: Pragmatic Play

RTP: 96.71% | Variance: High | Maximum Win: 2,100x

Our Score: 8.0

Play at Barz Casino
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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 Big Bass Bonanza

Reviewed by:

Published Date: 8th March 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.

Big Bass Bonanza is the first game from Pragmatic Play’s hugely popular fishing slot series. It was released in December 2020. In the game, unlocking the free spins round triggers up to 20 free plays where fisherman wilds collect the cash value of bass symbols when they land at the same time. A progressive multiplier is also in play. Every 4th wild extends the round by 10 spins and increases the multiplier value up to a max of 10x. The top win is 2,100x and spins start at 20p.

Big Bass Bonanza Game Information

  • RTP: 96.71% | 95.67%
  • Variance: High
  • Maximum Win: 2,100x
  • Progressive Jackpot: No
  • Reels: 5
  • Rows: 3
  • Paylines: 10
  • Minimum Stake: £0.10
  • Theme: Fishing
  • Features: Wilds, Free Spins, Cash Collect Symbols, Progressive Multiplier

What We Liked

  • Iconic fishing slot with simple cash collect gameplay
  • Chance to extend free spins round and grow progressive multipliers
  • Cheerful visuals and upbeat soundtrack
  • High optimum RTP at 96.71%

What We Didn't like

  • Low max win at just 2,100x
  • Not as many features as later versions of Big Bass

Big Bass Bonanza Review Scores

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

What Our Reviewer Says ...

"What makes this a true classic slot? That magic mix of bright visuals and simple gameplay that is easy to follow and great fun to play!"

Overall Score: 8.0

Theme & Design

Our Score 9

A Simple Fishing Slot That Has Become An Iconic Series

Part of the enduring appeal of a game like Big Bass Bonanza is it simple but attractive design. The 5×3 transparent reel set floats in a cross section of water with the surface just visible at the top of the screen, dappled in sunlight. The colors are bright and the cheerful atmosphere is completed by an upbeat banjo tune and the perma-smiling bearded fisherman who represents the important wild symbol in the game. The game design has become one the slot world’s most iconic and it shows that games don’t need overly-complicated production to be successful.

Big Bass Bonanza by Pragmatic Play
Big Bass Bonanza – a simple, iconic online slot

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.

Big Bass Bonanza has just TWO RTP rates – most other Big Bass games have three – and they are 96.71% and 95.67%. The first of those is very good and you should seek out slot sites that run the game at that rate. My recommendation would be MrQ from Lindar Media or Barz Casino from White Hat Gaming, both of which were running the game at 96.71% when I checked.

You can find out what RTP rate your casino runs the game at by hitting the ‘I’ button under the reels then scrolling through until you see the Game Rules page with volatility at the top. Scroll down until you see Return to Player. If it’s not set to 96.71% then try elsewhere.

The volatility of Big Bass Bonanza is 4/5 on Pragmatic’s own scale. That is a little less than later games from the same series but in practice it will still feel like a volatile slot, prone to runs with low returns before a smash and grab free spins round turns your session around.

Maximum Win

Our Score 7

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.  

Perhaps the only disappointing aspect of Big Bass Bonanza, at least for anyone whose played more recent Big Bass games, is the top payout. It is just 2,100x. You can spin for much bigger potential on games like Amazon Xtreme, Splash, and Day at the Races, all of which max out at a much better 10,000x.

For other slots with big potential from Pragmatic, check out our list of their highest max win slots.

Symbols and Paytable

Our Score 8

The Big Bass Bonanza game area comprises 5 reels and 3 rows. And as standard there are 10 paylines to win across, with wins triggered by landing 3 or more identical symbols across a line from left to right starting at the left most reel.

Big Bass Bonanza Paytable
Paytable with 200x for 5 premimum fishing float symbols

Low payers are the cards, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace. These are valued at from 0.5x for 3 10s up to 10x for 5 Aces. The premiums are the bass, tackle box, mayfly, rod and reel and float. These are valued at from 1x for 3 bass up to 200x for 5 floats. Uniquely, the float also pays out at 0.5x for just TWO on a line.

The wild is represented by the fisherman. It will substitute for all pay symbols to complete lines and it ONLY appears during free spins. The wild also performs another function in collecting cash as we find out in the next part.

Features and Gameplay

Our Score 8

Big Bass Bonanza is ALL about hitting the free spins round. Before then, there is not much else going on beside paylines wins. There aren’t even any wilds. So, your time is spend looking for scatters to drop in the form of leaping bass with the word ‘scatter’ printed underneath. Three or more are needed to trigger the free spins as follows:

  • 3 scatters – 10 spins
  • 4 scatters – 15 spins
  • 5 scatters – 20 spins

During free spins, bass symbols land with money values printed on them. These can be 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 20x, 25x, 50x or 2,000x. To activate these prizes, a fisherman wild must land at the same time. These wilds collect the values of ALL visible cash prizes.

Wilds are also collected and every 4th one extends the round by 10 spins and increases a progressive multiplier applied to cash collect wins to 2x, 3x then 10x. After the 12th wild has been collected, no more spins can be added.

And finally, a near-miss award is sometimes given if you land a fisherman wild when there are NO fish to catch. In this case, fish symbols MAY be randomly added anywhere on the reels to help you out.

And that’s it!

The Final Verdict

If you were ever wondering what it is that makes the Big Bass series so popular, you only need to go back to the original game to find the answer. In creating Big Bass Bonanza Pragmatic Play found that secret recipe that all game studios are looking for. It’s something that’s hard to define, but it’s there in the bright, simple nature of the design and the pleasing mechanism of bass cash collects and progressive multiplier in the free spins round. Since Bonanza Pragmatic have layered more and more features onto the bare bones with each new release for a more compelling experience. But sometimes you don’t need all that, and it’s good to just go back to basics. Which is why Big Bass Bonanza will continue to be a favourite for many years to come.

Useful Tips When Playing Big Bass Bonanza

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. Look Out For Scatters 

This game is ALL about the free spins round. The base game does not tell many tales. So always keep an eye out for those important scatters, and remember that 3 or more are required to trigger the bonus feature.

2. Look For Casinos With The Max RTP

Remember that some casinos will run this game at the lower RTP of 95.67%. Avoid them! There might not be much between this and the higher rate, but it all counts when chasing down those big bass wins!

3. Play At A Low Stake

Use bankroll management strategy in high variance slots like these. This one can burn you quickly so set a low stake relative to your balance in order to ride out the tough times and avoid melt down.

4. Play At A Recommended Slot Site

We have chosen the sites on this page because they are licensed in the UK. That means they are safe and secure. All the games they offer have been audited for fairness by approved 3rd party testing houses. Never play at unlicensed sites.

Who Made Big Bass Bonanza?

  • Name: Pragmatic Play
  • Established: 2015
  • UK License: Remote 046683-R-325951-014
  • Total Games: 500 +
  • Known For: Wide range of themes and styles, live casino including gameshow formats, and bingo
  • Popular Slots: Fruit Party, Dog House Megaways, Big Bass Bonanza, Release the Kraken
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