The Role of Anubis in Book of Dead’s Bonus Rounds
The Book of Dead slot by Play’n GO is one of the most popular online casino games themed around ancient Egypt and archaeological adventures. While the main protagonist is Rich Wilde, the game prominently features Egyptian symbols including the god Anubis , whose role adds depth and excitement, especially during the bonus rounds. This article explores how Anubis influences Book of Dead the gameplay and the bonus mechanics, focusing on the Free Spins and special features that heighten the potential for big wins.
Understanding Book of Dead’s Game Structure
Book of Dead is a 5-reel, 10-payline slot with high volatility. Players spin symbols drawn from Egyptian mythology and adventure motifs, including card suits, Pharaoh masks, Rich Wilde himself, and crucially, the Anubis icon . The game’s edges come from special symbols like the Book of Dead, which acts as both a wild and scatter, triggering the free spins. The role of Anubis, while not as explicitly central as the Book symbol, still plays an important thematic and functional part in bonus round dynamics[2][4].
Anubis Symbol in Book of Dead
Within the Book of Dead slot, Anubis functions as one of the high-paying symbols . The god is traditionally the Egyptian deity associated with mummification and the afterlife, which fits well with the game’s theme of tomb exploration and uncovering hidden treasures. When Anubis appears in winning combinations, it offers higher payouts compared to lower-value card symbols.
Although Anubis itself is not the scatter or free spin trigger (this role belongs to the Book of Dead symbol), its presence during the free spins is crucial. When selected as the special expanding symbol during free spins—a key feature of the bonus rounds—Anubis can expand across entire reels, significantly increasing potential winnings[2][5].
The Free Spins Bonus Round and Expanding Symbols
The free spins bonus round is the heart of Book of Dead’s gameplay excitement. It is triggered when three or more Book of Dead symbols (scatters) land anywhere on the reels, awarding 10 free spins initially.
Before the free spins begin, one symbol is randomly chosen to become a special expanding symbol . This means that whenever the chosen symbol appears during the free spins and forms part of a winning combination, it expands to cover an entire reel, which can drastically increase the number of winning payline combinations[2][5].
If Anubis is selected as this special expanding symbol, its high payout value multiplies the potential rewards for the player. Given its thematic importance as a god of the afterlife, Anubis’s expansion enhances the feeling of uncovering ancient fortunes within the tomb, making the bonus rounds not only more lucrative but also more immersive[2][4].
Strategic Impact of Anubis During Bonus Rounds
The Book of Dead bonus rounds hinge on choice and chance, specifically which symbol becomes the expanding symbol. While the selection is random, knowing the potential of the Anubis symbol can help players appreciate its value. When Anubis is expanded:
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It can cover an entire reel and participate in multiple paylines simultaneously.
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As a high-value symbol, it dramatically boosts winning combinations compared to lower-value symbols.
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It increases the excitement and potential for hitting the maximum payout of up to 5,000 times the stake[2][4].
Players are encouraged to watch for Anubis and hope it becomes the expanding symbol during free spins because the multiplier effect combined with reel expansion makes it a game-changer.
Comparison with Other Egyptian Slot Games Featuring Anubis
While Book of Dead uses Anubis as a high-paying symbol with expanding functionality during free spins, other Egyptian-themed slots often give Anubis a more defined role in bonus rounds.
For example, Hacksaw Gaming’s Hand of Anubis slot revolves entirely around Anubis, featuring multiplier mechanics linked to Anubis skulls in bonus rounds with multiplier modifiers that can reach thousands of times the bet[1]. Compared to that, Anubis in Book of Dead is more symbolic and tied into the expanding symbol mechanic rather than directly triggering unique bonus games.
This contrast highlights how Book of Dead leverages Anubis more subtly but still effectively within its main free spins feature to enhance both thematic depth and gameplay rewards[1][2].
Conclusion: Anubis as a Key Symbol in Book of Dead’s Bonus Experience
In Book of Dead, Anubis serves as one of the most valuable symbols during the bonus rounds , especially when chosen as the expanding symbol in the 10 free spins feature. Although not a scatter or wild trigger itself, Anubis’s role is crucial for maximizing wins during free spins thanks to its high payout potential and expansion mechanic.
The association of Anubis with death and the afterlife perfectly complements the slot’s theme of tomb exploration and treasure hunting. This integration makes the bonus rounds more exciting and rewarding, and it is a significant reason why players keep returning to Book of Dead for its rich ancient Egyptian adventure combined with substantial win potential.
Understanding the role of Anubis in the game’s bonus features enhances player appreciation of the slot mechanics and strategies for aiming at high-value expanding symbol wins. It also illustrates how traditional Egyptian mythology is creatively woven into modern slot gameplay for immersive and lucrative entertainment.