Charlie Chance In Hell To Pay

Charlie Chance In Hell To Pay Slot Review

Slot Provider: Play n Go

RTP: 96.23% | Variance: Medium | Maximum Win: 6,666x

Our Score: 8.6

Play at Barz Casino
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 Charlie Chance In Hell To Pay

Reviewed by:

Published Date: 31st October 2023

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.

The first in a series of Play’n GO releases starring this character, Charlie Chance in Hell To Pay is a 3×3 slot with five paylines. The plot sees our hero Charlie caught in the clutches of a beautiful but evil She-Devil. It’s up to you to help guide him safely back above ground. 

With its medium volatility and minimum bet of just £0.10 per spin, it’s suitable for even the most casual of players. Gameplay is relatively simple too, with just three scatters required to unlock the bonus game. Here, a feature board awards free spins, wilds, multiplier re-spins, win spins and instant prizes. Finally, a devilish top payout of 6,666x is fitting for a slot set in the underworld.

Charlie Chance In Hell To Pay Game Information

  • Release Date: May 2020
  • RTP: 96.23% | 94.79% | 91.33% | 87.59% | 84.71%
  • Variance: Medium
  • Maximum Win: 6,666x
  • Progressive Jackpot: No
  • Reels: 3
  • Rows: 3
  • Paylines: 5
  • Minimum Stake: £0.10
  • Theme: Cartoon
  • Features: Feature Board, Wilds, Win Spins, Free Spins, Multipliers, Instant Prizes

Testing Notes: Here’s What Happened When We Played Charlie Chance In Hell To Pay

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 Charlie Chance Hell To Pay for real money at Duelz Casino to test the game and this is what happened.

  • Stake Size: £0.1
  • Start balance: £20.50
  • End balance: £11.50
  • Biggest Win: 52.8x
  • Free Spins: 2
  • Session Time: 17 minutes 11 seconds

This was a really entertaining 200 spins and the game lived up to its mid-variance billing, triggering free spins twice and the Feature Board on 6 occasions. From the board, the free spins is ultimately the most fruitful feature to trigger but you can still land some decent wins from the Multiplier Re-Spin which can drop a 25x if its feeling generous. During my best free spins round I triggered the feature board after collecting 3 scatters again for a Wild Re-Spin and ended up with a 52.8x win. The animations throughout are a highlight too. Overall, a superb slot.

A 52.8x win from Charlie Chance Hell To Pay
A 52.8x win from the free spins round in testing

What We Liked

  • Super production style and animations
  • Mid-variance for regular wins
  • FIVE modifiers on the Feature Board
  • Optimum RTP is strong at 96.23%
  • Re-trigger Feature Board in free spins

What We Didn't like

  • Some sites run the game at low RTP

Charlie Chance In Hell To Pay Review Scores

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

What Our Reviewer Says ...

"Play n Go have absolutely nailed it with this one - superb production and simple, mid-variance gameplay make this a hugely entertaining 3x3 slot."

Overall Score: 8.6

Theme & Design

Our Score 9

Vintage Cartoons Inspired This Fun 3×3 Slot

Charlie Chance in Hell To Pay is a visually gorgeous game. It’s clearly inspired by cartoons from the 1920s and 30s, created by pioneering animators like Max Fleischer. Despite the intentionally old-fashioned look and feel, which has been replicated nicely, the animations are pretty slick. 

Charlie Chance Hell To Pay by Play n Go

The game’s villain has a flirtatious Betty Boop vibe about her. While the main character appears to be a cross between silent film legend Charlie Chaplin and the more modern detective character Charlie Chan. Although set in Hell, the in-game music and sound effects add a pleasing air of light-hearted slapstick to proceedings. 

Finally, the fruit machines of old were clearly another key inspiration for this game. Symbols on the simple 3×3 reel grid include classic icons like cherries, BAR signs and bells. However, the traditional lucky sevens have been replaced with a 666 symbol, a witty nod to the hellish theme.

If you like this kind of production you should also check out Hacksaw Gaming‘s RIP City featuring a Tom and Jerry style cartoon cat and mouse.

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.

Play’n GO rates this title 6/10 on its variance scale, placing it firmly into the category of “medium” volatility. This means we’re looking at a well-balanced mathematical model overall. And while testing the game, that theory stood up well. I didn’t need to wait long for a shot at the feature board, for instance, picking up plenty of smaller rewards along the way.

The highest-avilable RTP for Charlie Chance in Hell To Pay is a little above that of the average slot at 96.23%. However, Play’n GO has also produced four alternative, lower-than-optimal settings of 94.79%, 91.33%, 87.59% and 84.71%. It’s always best to avoid these lower rates if possible. Check the game’s information screen wherever you play to ensure you are getting the best possible value.

For example, Skill on Net sites like BacanaPlay only use the 91.33% rate. That’s why I’d recommend playing this title at White Hat Gaming casinos. I personally verified Barz Casino and Jackpot Village, both of which offer the top RTP of 96.23%.

Maximum Win

Our Score 8

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.  

Play’n GO has previously released slots like Kiss Reels of Rock, with a whopping 50,000x maximum payout. As such, the 6,666x offered by Charlie Chance in Hell To Pay seems a little small in comparison. However, the trade-off for huge potential rewards is usually extremely high variance. 

This is perfectly illustrated in Charlie Chance XreelZ, which has a volatility score of 9/10 and a 20,000x maximum potential payout. Personally, I personally prefer the well-rounded nature of this slot, where the wins are a little easier to come by. For a medium-volatility game, the top payout of 6,666x is actually pretty good. It’s certainly better than the third in the series, Charlie Chance and the Curse of Cleopatra, with its top prize of 5,500x despite an identical level of variance.

Symbols and Paytable

Our Score 7

Charlie Chance in Hell To Pay adopts a very basic structure of 3 reels and 3 rows. There are just 5 fixed paylines, which pay from left to right, with no funky features to speak of.

Charlie Chance Hell To Pay Paytable
Paytable with 8x for 3 Wilds

In terms of individual symbols, there’s not much scope for huge payouts given the limited space on the reels. The biggest return comes from dropping three wild symbols onto a payline, which pays just 8x. Next up are the bells, 666 and BAR icons, which reward you with 4x, 3x and 2x for three of a kind.

This is perhaps the weakest area of an otherwise really enjoyable game. If you enjoy the nostalgia of a traditional slot inspired by old-style fruit machines, this is actually going to be right up your street. But for me, in this modern era of increasingly creative reel grids and flamboyant features, I was left wanting something a little more exciting.

Features and Gameplay

Our Score 9

Everything about the Charlie Chance in Hell To Pay base game leads up to the Feature Board bonus. The lack of other features isn’t really a hindrance though. This game is a little bit different from other slot bonuses and I loved it. And thanks to the well-balanced variance, it’s not even that hard to unlock the free spins.

If you do end up having to wait for the feature, it’s certainly worth it. A fun animation sees our hero tentatively stepping on tiles to avoid the surrounding inferno, collecting rewards as he goes. And thanks to the random nature of proceedings, you’ll enjoy a different experience each time.

Charlie Chance Hell To Pay Feature Board
Playing the Feature Board with 5 modifiers to trigger

One other interesting touch that I really enjoyed is the slot’s quite unique scatter system. Before getting into the details of the Feature Board, let’s take a look at how these scatters work.

She-Devil Scatters Are Devilishly Different

Unlike most online slots, the scatter isn’t a standalone symbol that fills a complete space on the grid. Instead, once a reel comes to rest, a tiny depiction of the She-Devil engulfed in flames could randomly appear on top of any symbol. If you’re able to land three in total, you’ll be whisked off to play the Feature Board.

Charlie Chance Hell To Pay Scatters
Landing 3 Scatters to trigger the Feature Board

During this bonus game, it’s possible to acquire additional She-Devil scatters. This time, they’ll be collected in a meter on the left-hand side. Collecting another three helps Charlie progress further on his walk along the Feature Board. 

Feature Board Bonus With FIVE Fun Modifiers

Ahead of the bonus game, Charlie begins his journey across the screen, but only after the gorgeous but villainous She-Devil conjures up a fireball. Flames engulf each of his previous steps until he arrives at one of the following rewards:

  • Free Spins: This symbol heralds the start of eight free spins.
  • Instant Prize: Land on the blue pot of gold to earn a cash reward.
  • Multiplier: This green symbol earns you one re-spin with a random multiplier of 2x, 3x or an impressive 25x.
  • Wild: Should Charlie find a Wild on the path, you’ll gain a single re-spin with up to nine Wild symbols added to the reels.
  • Win Spin: Here, the entire middle reel turns wild, while the third reel continues to nudge until a win is created.

The Final Verdict

Considering the inherent simplicity of Charlie Chance in Hell To Pay, I really enjoyed playing it. Fans of vintage animation, slapstick humour and sexy femme fatales will love it too. As will those who enjoy uncomplicated slots that hark back to a simpler time.

In terms of gameplay, it’s true there’s not much else to this slot besides the Feature Board round. But it’s easy enough to trigger and its random nature keeps things interesting. Meanwhile, the solid 96.23% and maximum potential win of 6,666x are tempting enough to keep you coming back.

If you’re yet to try a Charlie Chance slot, this is probably the game to begin with. The top prize isn’t as high as that of Charlie Chance XreelZ. But a more balanced volatility level offers a nice way to ease into the series. However, if you insist on a game with more varied features, Curse of Cleopatra could be better where the 6×6 grid, complete with cascades, is considerably more action-packed.

Useful Tips When Playing Charlie Chance In Hell To Pay

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. Have The Sound On

Make sure you have the sound up when you play this one. Play n Go have carefully recreated the production of classic cartoons so it’s worth having the full audio-visual experience.

2. Collect Scatters During Free Spins

Remember, in the free spins round you don’t need to land scatters on one spin, you can collect them on the meter to the left of the reels. Once you’ve hit 3 you will trigger the Feature Board again.

3. This Is A Great Game For Casual Slots Players

You don’t need to be a high risk fanatic to enjoy this one. It’s all about regular wins and lots of regular feature triggers so it’s a great entry point into the series for those who want pure entertainment value.

4. Only Play At Licensed UK Slot Sites

I have chosen the sites on this page because they are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. They are regulated under UK law to ensure that they are fair, safe and secure.

Who Made Charlie Chance In Hell To Pay?

  • 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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