Book of Ra Symbol Select Review: Is the New Feature Worth It?

Many gamblers know the Book of Ra series inside and out. It’s a franchise that has paid out massive prizes over its long history, establishing itself as a staple in both land-based and online casinos. But we aren’t here to discuss the legacy; we are here to see if this specific iteration, Book of Ra Symbol Select, is worth your actual money. This version introduces a specific mechanic that allows you to choose your own destiny—or at least, your own expanding symbol.

Although this feature is intriguing, it comes at a cost. This game pushes volatility to a very high level. It is designed for players who are looking for large, albeit rare, payouts and have the bankroll to sustain long periods of dry spins. If you are looking for frequent small wins or modern, cinematic entertainment, this is likely not the slot for you. This is a tool for high-risk gambling, not casual fun.

• Read Review
  Welcome Bonus

  15,000 €/$ + 350 FS

  Large welcome package Expansive game library & jackpots Strong cashback offers To Claim: Click Join Now
  Spirit Casino Casino

  8.7/ 10

  Join Now
• Read Review
  Welcome Bonus

  4,500 €/$ + 300 FS

  Massive game library Generous, varied promotions Broad payment methods To Claim: Click Join Now
  SlotLords Casino

  9.3/ 10

  Join Now
• Read Review
  Welcome Bonus

  up to 25,000 €/$

  Strong live casino Daily cashback Wide payments including cryptos To Claim: Click Join Now
  Slot Mafia Casino

  8.6/ 10

  Join Now

• There are no results based on your criteria.

What Type of Slot Is Book of Ra Symbol Select?

This is a classic “book” slot with a very specific, high-volatility profile. It is not a game where you can expect a smooth ride or a steady stream of entertainment. It is a “bursty” slot, meaning you will likely endure long stretches of dead spins or insignificant payouts (1x to 2x your bet) while waiting for the bonus round to trigger.

The pace is slow and grinding. Unlike modern grid slots that offer constant feedback and small dopamine hits, Book of Ra Symbol Select is stubborn. It relies almost entirely on the bonus feature to generate returns. The base game exists primarily as a mechanism to drain your balance until you hit the three books. If you are not comfortable with a game that is heavily bonus-reliant—where the base game feels like a “waiting room”—you should look elsewhere. This is for players who understand that the math is weighted heavily toward the top end of the payout structure.

RTP & Risk (Without the Marketing)

The official Return to Player (RTP) for Book of Ra Symbol Select is set at 94%. Let’s be direct: this is below the industry average. Most modern online slots aim for 96%, so starting at a 2% deficit is significant.

However, RTP is a long-term theoretical number calculated over millions of spins. It does not tell you what will happen in your specific session. What matters more to your immediate experience is the volatility. Because the volatility here is high, that 94% RTP doesn’t mean you will lose 6 cents on every dollar consistently. It means you might lose your entire deposit quickly, or you might hit a 500x win in ten minutes.

Two slots can both have 94% RTP but feel completely different. A low-volatility game at 94% would slowly bleed your money. Book of Ra Symbol Select at 94% is designed to be feast or famine. You are paying a premium (the lower RTP) for the chance to win up to 30,000 coins on a single line. Understand that the “house edge” here is steeper than in many competitor slots, so the risk of a zero-return session is real.

Book of Ra Symbol Select Bonus Features: Optional or Mandatory?

The short answer: The bonus features are mandatory. Playing this slot without triggering the Free Spins is essentially throwing money away.

The trigger difficulty is high. You need 3 or more Wild/Scatter book symbols to land anywhere on the reels. These symbols replace simple icons in the base game, but their real value is unlocking the 10 free spins.

The “Select” Feature:
The unique selling point here is that you decide the volatility of the bonus round. Unlike the original where the expanding symbol is chosen at random, here you select which of the 10 symbols will expand.

• Safe Play: Choose a lower-value symbol (like Q, J, or 10). They appear more frequently, leading to more consistent, smaller wins.
• High Risk: Choose the Explorer or Pharaoh. They appear rarely, but when they expand, the payouts are massive.

Bonus Buy:
Because the trigger is difficult, the game offers a Bonus Buy option for 100x your bet. If you are an impatient player, this allows you to bypass the base game entirely. However, paying 100x is a steep entry fee. You need a significant return just to break even.

Chasing the bonus via standard spins can be exhausting and expensive. If you aren’t prepared to utilize the Bonus Buy or endure hundreds of spins to see the feature naturally, spinning in the base game makes very little financial sense.

Choose your Favorite Slot

Still Got Questions? Let’s Clear Them Up

• What is the RTP of Book of Ra Symbol Select?

  The RTP is 94%, which is slightly lower than the average online slot.

• Can I play this slot on mobile devices?

  Yes, Novomatic has optimized the game for mobile, so it runs smoothly on smartphones and tablets.

• Does the game have a Bonus Buy feature?

  Yes, you can pay 100x your total stake to instantly trigger the 10 Free Spins round.

• What is the maximum win in the base game?

  Getting five Wild/Scatter books on a payline awards up to 30,000 coins.

• How does the “Symbol Select” mechanic work?

  Before the free spins start, you manually choose which symbol will act as the special expanding symbol for the duration of the bonus.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons