Big Bass Return to the Races

Big Bass Return to the Races Slot Review

Reel Kingdom continues its prolific Big Bass series with a thematic departure from traditional fishing aesthetics. Rather than reels set against water, Big Bass Return to the Races relocates the action to a lush, well-maintained horse-racing track—a setting that resonates particularly well with UK audiences and their well-documented affiliation with horse racing. Released in February 2025, this offering maintains the core Big Bass appeal whilst introducing equestrian visuals and the potential for high-volatility wins up to 5,000x your stake.

Base Game & Features

The game operates on a straightforward 5×3 grid with 10 paylines, providing a familiar framework for both series veterans and newcomers. Symbol-wise, you’ll encounter traditional playing card values alongside themed horse-racing imagery. The real mechanical substance emerges through two signature modifier systems that add unpredictability to base spins.

Scatter Modifiers & Respin Mechanics

Reel Kingdom has incorporated their Scatter Modifiers as the defining base game feature. When Scatter symbols land, they may either shift down one position or appear randomly after your initial spin completes, triggering an automatic respin. This mechanic provides a second chance to complete winning combinations or land additional Scatters, effectively extending gameplay tension beyond the initial spin outcome. Whilst this mechanic isn’t entirely novel to the studio’s portfolio, it does offer meaningful variance that tempers the otherwise lengthy waits between bonus triggers.

Horse Money Symbols & Multiplier Foundation

The core appeal mechanic centres on Horse & Jockey Money symbols, which reveal random cash values ranging from 2x to 5,000x your bet. These values are collected during the Free Spins round, creating anticipation during bonus play. The multiplier range is substantial and theoretically achievable—though hitting the maximum 5,000x ceiling requires fortunate symbol combinations and feature stacking during extended bonus sequences.

Big Bass Return to the Races Free Spins

Triggering the Free Spins round requires landing 3, 4, or 5 Scatter symbols, which awards 10, 15, or 20 free spins respectively. The real mechanical depth emerges through the game’s pivotal feature: the Card Pick bonus.

Card Pick Feature & Bonus Variants

Upon entering Free Spins, players select from 12 face-down cards to determine their bonus round type. This selection mechanism provides genuine engagement—a moment of player agency within an otherwise predetermined feature. Cards unlock either Regular Free Spins (standard gameplay with Money symbols and Scatter Modifiers active) or the premium Golden Cup Free Spins variant.

Golden Cup Free Spins Variant

The Golden Cup mode represents the game’s highest-volatility bonus variant, featuring a dramatically simplified symbol set: only blank spaces, Wild symbols, and Horse Money symbols appear. This concentrated symbol pool dramatically increases the frequency of landing Money symbols—and thus the likelihood of hitting substantial multipliers. For win-chasing players, Golden Cup represents the optimal outcome from the card pick mechanic and the scenario where the theoretical 5,000x maximum becomes genuinely achievable within reasonable session parameters.

Bonus Buy & Ante Bet Options

Reel Kingdom offers two paid enhancement mechanics. Bonus Buy allows players to purchase direct entry into Free Spins at 100x the bet, or guarantee the premium Golden Cup variant at 270x the bet. Additionally, the Ante Bet feature increases scatter trigger probability at 1.5x the standard wager, effectively trading margin for increased bonus frequency.

Our Honest Verdict

Big Bass Return to the Races occupies a curious position within Reel Kingdom’s increasingly crowded Big Bass portfolio. The horse-racing aesthetic represents a genuine visual departure from the series’ traditional fishing imagery, and the graphics are genuinely polished—bold theming with well-animated reels against a lush track backdrop. For UK players, the thematic choice registers as thoughtful.

Mechanically, the game delivers refinement rather than innovation. The Card Pick feature provides moment-to-moment engagement, and the Golden Cup Free Spins variant creates distinction between bonus outcomes. The Money symbol multiplier system caps at 5,000x, which satisfies players seeking substantial win potential. The 96.07% RTP is standard-market with alternative settings at 95.07% and 94.07%.

The substantial limitation lies in base game pacing. With a hit frequency of merely 14.29% (one winning combination per seven spins) and a bonus trigger occurring approximately once every 113 spins, extended sessions become exercises in patience. The Scatter Modifiers provide occasional respins, but fundamentally the game demands tolerance for lengthy waits between engaging bonus sequences.

Rating: 6.5/10 – Big Bass Return to the Races will charm experienced Big Bass loyalists and UK players with horse-racing enthusiasm. However, this game does not justify its place for players comparing it to earlier Big Bass titles or those seeking faster-paced base game engagement.

Big Bass Return to the Races FAQs

• What is the RTP of Big Bass Return to the Races?

  Big Bass Return to the Races has an RTP of 96.07%. The game also offers alternative RTP settings of 95.07% and 94.07% for different casino configurations.
• What is the maximum win in Big Bass Return to the Races?

  The maximum win in Big Bass Return to the Races is 5,000 times your stake. This maximum win is achievable through a combination of the free spins feature, multiplier stacking, and the card pick bonus mechanics.
• How volatile is Big Bass Return to the Races?

  Big Bass Return to the Races has high volatility (5 out of 5), meaning wins occur less frequently but can be substantial when they land. The game features a hit frequency of approximately 14.29%, or one win every 7 spins on average.
• Does Big Bass Return to the Races have free spins?

  Yes, Big Bass Return to the Races features a free spins round triggered by landing three or more Scatter symbols. Players receive 10, 15, or 20 free spins depending on the number of scatters landed (3, 4, or 5 respectively).
• What is the Card Pick Feature in Big Bass Return to the Races?

  The Card Pick Feature allows players to select one of 12 cards at random when entering the free spins round. This determines whether they play standard Free Spins or the enhanced Golden Cup Free Spins variant. Of the 12 cards, 10 lead to regular free spins and 2 lead to Golden Cup free spins.
• Can you buy the bonus in Big Bass Return to the Races?

  Yes, Big Bass Return to the Races offers Bonus Buy features. You can purchase direct access to Free Spins for 100x your bet, or buy into Golden Cup Free Spins for 270x your bet. The 100x option includes a card pick selection, whilst the 270x option guarantees the Golden Cup variant without selection.
• What is the minimum and maximum bet on Big Bass Return to the Races?

  The minimum bet on Big Bass Return to the Races is £0.10, whilst the maximum bet is £250, providing a wide range of betting options suitable for different player bankrolls. Note that individual casinos may impose lower maximum bet limits.
• Is Big Bass Return to the Races mobile compatible?

  Yes, Big Bass Return to the Races is fully optimised for mobile play. The game can be played on smartphones, tablets, desktops, and other devices with full functionality and responsive design using HTML5 technology. The game is optimised for iOS and Android with portrait mode support on mobile devices.