Big Bass Return to the Races: Base Game Overview
Big Bass Return to the Races takes the classic Big Bass slot formula and merges it with a horse racing theme, creating a unique twist on a fan-favorite series. Developed by Pragmatic Play, this 5x3 slot with 10 paylines offers high volatility, catering to those who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
With an RTP of 96.07%, players can expect relatively fair returns, while the max win of 5,000x the stake keeps the excitement high. Bets range from €0.10 to €250, making the game accessible to both casual players and high rollers. The ante bet feature allows players to increase their stake by 50% to improve their chances of triggering free spins, a handy tool for those eager to unlock the game’s key features.
The slot's symbols include lower-paying card ranks (10 to A) and higher-paying thematic symbols, such as horses, binoculars, beer, race boxes, and a champagne bucket, offering payouts ranging from 20x to 200x the bet. Wild symbols play a crucial role but do not appear in the base game, adding suspense as players chase the bonus rounds.
Big Bass Return to the Races: Slot Features
Free Spins & Golden Cup Free Spins
To enter the free spins feature, players need to land three, four, or five scatters, triggering 10, 15, or 20 free spins, respectively. However, landing only two scatters can activate a random respin feature, potentially bringing a third scatter into view and unlocking the bonus round.
Before the free spins begin, players choose from 12 cards to determine whether they’ll play the regular free spins or the Golden Cup Free Spins.
- Regular Free Spins: Each wild that lands collects the value of all Money symbols (horse symbols) on the reels, which range from 2x to 5,000x the bet. Every fourth wild retriggers the feature, awarding 10 extra spins and an increasing multiplier (x2, x3, and up to x10). The feature can be retriggered up to four times.
- Golden Cup Free Spins: This version removes all standard symbols from the grid, leaving only Money symbols, wilds, and blanks. Wilds still collect Money symbol values, significantly increasing the chances of hitting big payouts.
Random Free Spin Modifiers
During any free spins round, three random modifiers can occur:
- Random Money Symbols: If wilds land without Money symbols, some may randomly appear.
- Wild Reel Pull: If Money symbols land but no wilds, a lasso effect may pull a wild onto the reels.
- Curtains Effect: If wilds are present but no Money symbols, an animation may change symbols into Money symbols, ensuring a payout.
Bonus Buy Options
For players who prefer instant access to the bonus features, there are two bonus buy options:
- 100x the bet to trigger either regular Free Spins or Golden Cup Free Spins.
- 270x the bet to guarantee Golden Cup Free Spins.
Conclusion
Big Bass Return to the Races delivers the familiar Big Bass experience with an unexpected horse racing twist. While the core gameplay remains unchanged, the addition of Golden Cup Free Spins, random modifiers, and an ante bet feature adds variety. Fans of the Big Bass series will enjoy the familiar mechanics, but those seeking a completely new experience may find it lacking in innovation. Despite that, the potential for 5,000x wins and retriggering multipliers ensures plenty of excitement.
Fun Fact
Did you know? The Big Bass slot series has seen numerous variations, from fishing adventures to holiday-themed spins. Big Bass Return to the Races marks a rare crossover, blending two vastly different themes—fishing and horse racing—into one game.
