Big Bass Hold and Spinner Megaways

Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways Review

Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways is the latest addition to their popular fishing-themed slot series. This high-volatility game combines the excitement of the Megaways engine with familiar Big Bass mechanics, offering players up to 147,456 ways to win and a maximum payout of 20,000x the bet.

Game Overview

Set against a serene underwater backdrop, Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways features a 6-reel main grid with up to 6 symbols per reel. The game also includes a 4-reel, 3-row upper grid above reels 2-5, adding an extra layer of excitement to each spin. The topmost row contains only wilds and blanks, while the other two rows can display any symbol.

Players can place bets ranging from 0.20 to 250 credits per spin, making it suitable for both casual players and high rollers. The game boasts a default Return to Player (RTP) of 96.7%, which is quite competitive in the online slot market.

Symbols and Payouts

The paytable features a mix of thematic and card symbols:

• High-value symbols: Fishing gear (tackle box, rod, lure)
• Low-value symbols: Royal card symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10)
• Special symbols: Wild (fishing net), Scatter (fish), Fisherman, and Money symbols

The highest-paying regular symbol is the tackle box, offering 50x the bet for six of a kind. However, the real potential lies in the game’s special features and bonus rounds.

Key Features

Megaways and Cascading Wins

The Megaways engine randomizes the number of symbols on each reel for every spin, creating up to 147,456 ways to win. Winning combinations trigger cascading wins, where winning symbols are removed and replaced by new ones, potentially creating multiple wins from a single spin.

Fish Money Symbols

These symbols appear with cash values ranging from 2x to 5,000x the bet. While they explode during cascades in the base game, they stick to the bottom of the screen during free spins, setting up potentially lucrative collections.

Mystery Symbols

Lantern symbols can land randomly in the base game and free spins. They transform into matching pay symbols, increasing the chances of forming winning combinations.

Free Spins Feature

Landing 3 to 6 scatter symbols awards 10 to 25 free spins, respectively. During this bonus round:

• Fisherman symbols collect the values of all visible Fish Money symbols
• Collecting 4 Fishermen retriggers the feature, adding 10 more spins
• Progressive multipliers (2x, 3x, and 10x) are applied when retriggering the feature for the second and third time

Hold & Spin Bonus

Triggered by landing 3 or more Coin symbols, this feature offers:

• 4 respins with only Coin symbols or blanks on the reels
• Coin values range from 1x to 2,000x the bet
• New Coins reset the respin counter to 4
• A guaranteed minimum win of 20x the bet

Strategies and Tips

While slot outcomes are primarily based on chance, here are some tips to enhance your Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways experience:

• Manage your bankroll wisely, considering the game’s high volatility
• Aim for the free spins feature, as it offers the highest potential for big wins
• During free spins, hope for early Fisherman symbols to maximize collections
• In the Hold & Spin bonus, pray for high-value Coins and Diamond Money symbols
• Consider using the bonus buy feature (where available) to access features directly, but be aware of the increased cost

Final Thoughts

Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways successfully combines the beloved Big Bass series mechanics with the excitement of the Megaways engine. The game offers a good balance of features, with the free spins and Hold & Spin bonuses providing ample opportunities for significant wins.

While the fishing theme might feel familiar to series fans, the addition of Megaways and the enhanced bonus features breathe new life into the concept. The high volatility and substantial max win of 20,000x make this an attractive option for thrill-seeking players, while the engaging gameplay ensures broad appeal across different player preferences.