| RTP | 96.7% | Reels | 6 |
| Volatility | High | Rows | 3 |
| Min bet | C$0.20 | Max bet | C$250 |
| Max win | 147.456x | Paylines | |
| Wild Symbol | Yes | Scatter Symbol | Yes |
| Bonus Game | Yes | Progressive Jackpot | Yes |
| Free Spins | Yes | Autoplay | Yes |
I’d like to introduce you to the Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways slot machine from Pragmatic Play, released in 2023. I consider it one of the most underrated, as it’s a real find for certain types of players. This game is part of the Big Bass series and retains the familiar fishing theme, but is enhanced with Megaways mechanics and an expanded Hold & Spinner mode. It’s essentially an expansion of the previous Big Bass Hold & Spinner, where the developer added more paylines, improved the gameplay, and enhanced the bonuses.
The game’s high volatility and 96.70% RTP indicate that this slot machine is better suited to experienced players. Win frequency is low, but the payouts are substantial. Nevertheless, I recommend this game even to beginners. It offers numerous random features and attractive bonuses that can boost your bankroll at any time. I will present all the features, bonuses, and ways to increase your chances of winning in this review.
The Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways slot machine is part of the Big Bass series, so it’s no surprise that it uses the familiar fishing theme. The graphics are high-quality: you head out to the lake with fishing rods to catch a trophy fish. In the background, you can admire a lively underwater world, bubbles rising from the bottom, and fish of various sizes. The game board features high-quality animation, visual effects, and symbols.
The sound design perfectly complements the fishing atmosphere, allowing you to relax with a pleasant soundtrack and familiar game board sounds. It’s important to note that the graphics and sound quality are independent of the device used. Playing on a mobile device will provide the same enjoyment as on a PC.
The payout mechanisms in Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways are standard, and you shouldn’t encounter any problems. However, I would like to draw your attention to the non-standard grid. It consists of 6 reels, each of which can hold up to 6 symbols, but the number of symbols varies with each spin. Additionally, 3 horizontal rows of symbols are located above reels 2, 3, 4, and 5. These are unlocked in conjunction with the cascades. The number of active paylines varies depending on the number of symbols on the reels. You can activate up to 147,456 ways to win!
To win, you must collect 3 to 6 identical symbols on a payline. The floating symbol is the highest paying and can form a minimum combination of 2 symbols on the line, allowing you to recover your stake. The payout amount depends on the bet, ranging from $0.20 to $250 per spin. The minimum multiplier for a winning combination is x0.1, and the maximum is x50.
You can win big even with basic winning combinations. But to unlock the game’s full potential, you need to activate the bonus features.
The bonuses in the Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways slot machine may seem familiar, and they are, especially if you’ve played previous versions in the series. However, there are some important changes to consider before you play.
Winning symbols are removed from the game board and replaced with new ones. The cascades continue as long as you manage to form winning combinations. This feature allows you to collect a series of wins by paying for a single spin.
The Wild symbol, represented by a net, significantly increases the frequency of wins. Wild substitutes for all symbols except the fisherman, coins, Scatter, and fish, helping to form winning combinations more often or increase their size.
On the game board, you can see fish with their face values. The value of each fish is random, ranging from x2 to x5000. In the base game, it’s impossible to collect fish; however, they disappear with the cascade and make way for new symbols. During free spins, a fisherman can catch fish and win big.
The lamp appears on all reels of the base game and during free spins. In the base game, the lamp transforms into the same paying symbol. During free spins, the lamp transforms into a random fisherman symbol.
To activate the free spins, you must collect 3, 4, 5 or 6 Scatter symbols on the game board. You will receive 10, 15, 20 or 25 spins respectively.
During free spins, the Fisherman Wild appears. During the free spins round, the Fisherman Wild appears on all reels (except the top bonus row), substitutes for other symbols, and acts as a collector, collecting the denominations of all the fish.
The Fisherman symbol also increases the bonus round level and offers additional multipliers. For every 4 Fishermen collected, you increase the level and get +10 spins with a multiplier of x2, x3, and x10 depending on the spin. After reaching the x10 multiplier, you get +10 spins for every 4 Fishermen collected, with no maximum limit.
To activate this feature, you must collect at least 3 Coin Money Symbols on the main grid. You will receive 3 respins, which are reset when new coins appear. The values of the collected coins are added together to determine your final payout.
During the bonus game, Diamond Money symbols can appear with a value of up to 2000x your stake. If all respins are used but your winnings are less than 20x your stake, you will receive 3 additional respins.
You have the option to purchase a series of free spins for 100 times the stake or the Hold & Spin game for 120 times the stake.
Its high volatility and 96.70% return to player (RTP) make Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways an ideal choice for experienced high rollers. The low win frequency is offset by large payouts. During longer playing sessions, the house edge is minimized, suggesting this slot is best suited to experienced players with substantial bankrolls. However, beginners can also adopt a low-bet strategy, focusing on triggering bonus rounds that offer large and guaranteed wins.
Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways will undoubtedly delight fans of this entertaining series. The developer has retained the atmosphere of its predecessors while improving the gameplay, making it more dynamic and increasing the winning potential. The key to big wins remains the free spins round, where you progress by fishing and increase the multiplier up to a maximum of x10. However, even the base game can generate significant winnings.