Pub Kings

Pub Kings Slot Review

Pragmatic Play have built a solid reputation for delivering straightforward slots that prioritise entertainment without over-complication. Pub Kings exemplifies this approach, presenting a Viking tavern setting where Norse warriors gather to celebrate over drinks. Released in August 2023, this game operates on a classic 5-reel grid with a refreshingly simple gameplay philosophy that lets the mechanics do the heavy lifting rather than chasing flashy trends.

Base Game and Features

Pub Kings operates on a 5-reel, 4-row grid with 20 fixed paylines. Standard winning combinations form when three or more matching symbols land consecutively from left to right, beginning on the leftmost reel. The betting structure spans from £0.20 to £240 per spin, offering flexibility for both cautious players and high-stakes enthusiasts.

The symbol hierarchy comprises five high-paying character symbols adorned with purple, green, blue, brown, and pink backgrounds, followed by traditional card values (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten). The game boasts a solid 96.08% RTP with 5,000x maximum win potential, though this requires alignment of multiple rare events. Volatility sits at maximum 5/5 on Pragmatic Play’s scale, rating 64 out of 100 overall—meaning this is unquestionably a high-volatility experience where wins cluster and dry spells test patience.

Random Awards Feature

The Random Awards mechanic activates during the base game whenever two scatter symbols appear in view. This feature awards cash prizes determined by which reel the scatters land on, with each reel carrying different prize levels ranging from 1x to 5,000x your stake. The variety across reels—with reel 1 offering the maximum 5,000x potential whilst reel 5 caps at 500x—adds meaningful strategic intrigue to what might otherwise feel like passive base game spins. Community feedback highlights this feature as genuinely engaging, breaking up the base game rhythm without requiring a bonus round trigger.

Free Spins Round

Landing three scatter symbols specifically on reels 1, 3, and 5 triggers 10 free spins. The free spins mode introduces a collection mechanic where high-paying character symbols attach to individual reels (reel 1 through 5). As each free spin resolves, matching symbols from a particular reel accumulate on a progressive meter.

Collecting six identical symbols enables Level 1 of the Random Awards feature for that reel. Gathering a further three or more of the same symbol advances the level, ascending up to Level 7 where prizes reach maximum potential for that reel. Alongside symbol collection, beer symbols accumulating next to each reel get totalled, with the reel collecting the most beers winning its current associated award at round conclusion. If multiple reels tie on beer count, the reel with the highest associated award level claims the prize—this orchestrated dynamic creates genuine engagement throughout free spins, moving beyond passive reward collection.

Bonus Buy Option

For players outside the UK, Pragmatic Play offers a Bonus Buy feature allowing direct entry to the free spins round for 100x your current stake. The purchased feature carries an RTP of 96.05%, marginally below the base game’s 96.08%. This pricing positions the feature as reasonably fair—neither overly generous nor exploitative—though results remain volatile by nature of the underlying mechanics.

Game Specifications

Our Honest Verdict

• Overall Verdict: 7/10
• Pub Kings delivers solid entertainment through refined feature mechanics that prioritise engagement over flashy innovation. The 5×4 grid houses a straightforward yet effective gameplay loop where the Random Awards feature provides genuine base game excitement without requiring bonus triggers. Community feedback consistently highlights the collection mechanics during free spins as genuinely engaging, creating strategic depth through the level progression system and beer accumulation.
• The 96.08% RTP positions this above industry average, and the flexible betting range from £0.20 to £240 accommodates diverse player bankrolls comfortably. Where Pub Kings truly excels is in its mechanics-first philosophy—the Random Awards and symbol collection systems do the heavy lifting, creating tension and variety without requiring players to chase bonuses desperately. The 5,000x maximum win is respectable, though some high-volatility chasers may have wished for upside potential matching other premium Pragmatic Play releases (some exceed 10,000x).
• Stylistically, the Viking tavern setting with warm browns and deep blues creates a genuinely welcoming atmosphere—the visuals pop with smooth animations and thematic character design. However, the theme itself doesn’t break particularly fresh ground; Norse-themed slots are well-established territory. This might make it occasionally forgettable alongside other Viking releases, despite the execution being authentically competent.
• The high volatility (5/5) means this isn’t for everyone. Base game hit frequency of 1 in 4.37 spins sounds regular until you realise individual wins often cluster between the mid-levels, with dry spells testing patience between feature hits (free spins arrive roughly 1 in 221 spins). This structure suits players comfortable with volatile gameplay who appreciate mechanical depth over constant small wins.
• Final positioning: Pub Kings stands as a well-crafted mid-tier entertainment slot for players seeking classical Viking aesthetics with genuinely engaging collection mechanics. It won’t satisfy those chasing industry-leading innovation, nor those demanding 15,000x+ maximum wins. But for players who value solid mechanical design, reasonable RTP, and thematic coherence, Pub Kings represents fair value. The Bonus Buy feature (100x stake) adds optional engagement without feeling predatory. This is a game that earns recommendation through competence and mechanics rather than flashy promises—exactly as Pragmatic Play intended.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the RTP of Pub Kings slot?

  The default RTP of Pub Kings by Pragmatic Play is 96.08%. However, operators can adjust the RTP down to 95.01% or 94.04%, so the actual RTP varies between 94.04% and 96.08% depending on which casino you play at. During bonus buy, the RTP is slightly lower at 96.05%.
• What is the maximum win on Pub Kings?

  The maximum payout from Pub Kings is capped at 5,000x your initial stake. This win cap hit rate is approximately 1 in 14,084,507 spins.
• How volatile is Pub Kings?

  Pub Kings has high volatility, scoring 5 out of 5 on Pragmatic Play’s volatility scale and rated 64 out of 100. The base game hit frequency is 1 in 4.37 spins, whilst free spins hit frequency is much rarer at 1 in 221 spins.
• Does Pub Kings have free spins?

  Yes, Pub Kings features 10 free spins triggered by landing 3 scatter symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5 in the base game. During free spins, Viking symbols are collected to increase award levels up to 7, with the highest achieved level determining the final payout.
• Can I play Pub Kings on mobile?

  Yes, Pub Kings is fully playable on mobile devices including iOS, Android, and Windows. The layout is optimised for mobile play, providing a clutter-free gaming experience whilst maintaining all features and functionality of the desktop version.
• Does Pub Kings have a bonus buy feature?

  Yes, Pub Kings includes a bonus buy feature available to players outside the UK. Players can directly purchase access to the free spins round for 100x their current stake, which gives an RTP of 96.05% on the purchased feature.
• What is the Random Awards feature in Pub Kings?

  The Random Awards feature in Pub Kings base game awards up to 5,000x your stake when 2 scatters are present on the reels. Each reel can randomly receive one of 7 different level awards, creating exciting base game wins without triggering the bonus feature.
• What is the minimum and maximum bet on Pub Kings?

  Pub Kings offers a flexible betting range from £0.20 (or €0.20) per spin as the minimum bet to £240 (or €240) per spin as the maximum bet, allowing players to scale their stakes according to their bankroll.