Tic Tac Take Slot Review
Reel Kingdom, Pragmatic Play’s in-house studio, have built a recognisable niche with straightforward, feature-light releases that prioritise accessibility over complexity. Their latest offering takes inspiration from both the timeless tic-tac-toe paper game and NetEnt’s Starburst, blending childhood nostalgia with disco-era gemstone aesthetics. Released in March 2022, this slot sits comfortably within Reel Kingdom’s portfolio of medium-to-high volatility games, though the execution reveals familiar limitations that have become synonymous with the studio’s identity.
The 5×3 grid operates with 10 paylines that pay both ways, effectively doubling win opportunities across the reels. With an RTP of 96.63% at its highest setting, the game sits above the industry average of 95-96%, though players should verify their casino offers this variant rather than the 95.54% or 94.57% alternatives. The high volatility rating suggests big win potential, yet the 2,200x maximum win cap creates an immediate contradiction – a figure that places this firmly below modern high volatility expectations. The bet range spans £0.10 to £100, accommodating both casual spinners and those willing to weather the storm for larger payouts.
Base Game & Features
The grid structure presents brightly coloured crystal symbols alongside the signature X and O icons that define the tic-tac-toe mechanic. Symbols cascade across the 5 reels with pay-both-ways functionality, meaning winning combinations form from both left to right and right to left – a setup borrowed directly from Starburst’s playbook. The visual presentation features a disco-themed background with fireflies drifting across the screen, creating what some describe as energetic ambience and others characterise as distracting busyness.
Wild symbols appear exclusively on the three middle reels (reels 2, 3, and 4), substituting for all symbols except the X and O markers. This placement restriction means wilds won’t complete wins on their own, instead serving purely as substitution tools within the existing payline structure. The base game hit frequency sits at approximately 1 in 6.49 spins, requiring mental preparation for extended dead spin stretches – a characteristic that becomes rapidly apparent during gameplay sessions.
The simplicity works in favour of quick comprehension. There are no progressive meters, no collection mechanics, and no layered bonus triggers to track. You spin, the reels land, and wins either form or they don’t. For players seeking uncomplicated sessions without feature fatigue, this streamlined approach delivers exactly what it promises. However, the lack of base game modifiers means variance relies entirely on the respin feature to inject excitement between otherwise routine spins.
Tic Tac Take Respins
The core feature activates when you land a complete line of X or O symbols vertically, horizontally, or diagonally across the three middle reels. Each complete line awards 1 respin, with a theoretical maximum of 8 respins available when all three middle reels fill entirely with X or O symbols. During respins, those triggering X and O symbols transform into sticky wild symbols on the middle reels, remaining locked in position for the duration of the feature.
The mechanic successfully adapts the tic-tac-toe concept into workable slot mathematics. When multiple respins trigger simultaneously, the sticky wild coverage creates genuine win potential as subsequent spins benefit from expanded wild positions. The feature activates with reasonable frequency compared to traditional free spins modes, providing regular opportunities to break the base game monotony.
Yet reality often disappoints expectations. Most activations result in a single respin with minimal payout, typically returning under 10x the triggering bet despite the high volatility classification. The mathematical ceiling compounds this frustration – wins are hard-capped at 2,200x your stake, and respins terminate instantly upon reaching this limit. For context, modern high volatility slots routinely offer 10,000x minimum, with many stretching to 25,000x or beyond. The 2,200x cap doesn’t properly match the volatility rating, creating a mismatch between advertised variance and actual reward potential.
Bonus Buy Feature
Players outside the UK can purchase direct access to the respins feature for 100x the current bet. This guarantees at least one complete line of X or O symbols, ensuring the feature triggers immediately. However, the economics prove problematic. Testing consistently shows the 100x investment returns only a fraction of the cost, with single respin outcomes delivering measly payouts that rarely justify the expense. Expert consensus strongly recommends avoiding the bonus buy entirely – repeatedly shelling out 100x for low win respins can damage your bankroll far faster than organic base game play.
When compared to competitors like Starburst XXXtreme, which offers bonus buy options at 10x or 95x with stronger ROI potential, Tic Tac Take’s 100x pricing appears particularly poor value. The feature exists as a convenience option for impatient players, but the mathematics don’t support its use for anyone managing a sensible gambling budget.
Our Honest Verdict
Tic Tac Take occupies an uncomfortable middle ground where nostalgic theming and straightforward mechanics can’t overcome fundamental design limitations. The slot successfully captures the tic-tac-toe concept with its X and O symbols and line-completion mechanic, and the 96.63% RTP sits above industry average. For casual players seeking quick, uncomplicated sessions with childhood throwback appeal, the simplicity delivers exactly what’s expected.
Yet the execution falls short of the high volatility promise. The 2,200x maximum win is disappointing – frankly insufficient for a game classified at this variance level. When high volatility slots elsewhere offer 10,000x minimum and frequently reach 25,000x or beyond, Tic Tac Take’s cap feels restrictive and outdated. The base game suffers from brutal dead spin stretches at 1 in 6.49 hit frequency, and whilst the respins feature triggers fairly regularly, most activations deliver single spins with underwhelming returns rather than the extended sequences where win potential accumulates.
The visual design proves polarizing. Some find the disco-themed gemstones and fireflies charming in their simplicity; others describe Reel Kingdom’s attempt at glitz as tacky rather than polished. The game feels extremely high energy and busy, which creates engagement for some players whilst distracting others from the actual gameplay mechanics.
Tic Tac Take reinforces the assessment that Reel Kingdom operates as a budget version of Pragmatic Play – competent but unexciting releases that improve on previous studio efforts without quite reaching the quality bar set by their parent brand. This slot will more than suffice for nostalgic casual audiences who value uncomplicated gameplay over ambitious win potential. However, big win chasers, feature hunters, and anyone expecting modern high volatility standards should look elsewhere. The 2,200x ceiling simply doesn’t deliver the excitement or reward potential that contemporary players increasingly demand.
Rating: 6.5/10
A functional slot that successfully translates a childhood game concept into workable mechanics, held back by a maximum win that doesn’t match its volatility classification and a base game experience that grinds through dead spins more often than it excites.
Tic Tac Take FAQs
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What is the RTP of Tic Tac Take?
Tic Tac Take has an RTP of 96.63%, which is higher than the average 95-96% RTP. However, the RTP can range from 94.57% to 96.63% depending on the casino setting. Always check which RTP variant your chosen casino offers before playing. -
What is the maximum win on Tic Tac Take?
The Tic Tac Take slot offers a potential win of up to 2,200x your bet. There is a win cap of 2,200x the bet in place, and should you manage to hit that amount at any point, respins will instantly come to an end. -
What is the volatility of Tic Tac Take?
The Tic Tac Take slot has high variance/volatility. As a high volatility installment from Reel Kingdom, you can expect plenty of dead spins between occasional Respin top-up wins. The base game hit frequency sits at approximately 1 in 6.49 spins. -
How does the Tic Tac Take Respins feature work?
The Tic Tac Take Respins feature triggers when you land a line of X or O symbols vertically, horizontally or diagonally on the 3 middle reels. You get 1 respin for each complete line of X or O symbols, and you get up to 8 respins if the 3 middle reels are filled with X or O symbols. During respins, the X and O symbols turn into sticky wilds on the middle reels. -
Does Tic Tac Take have a Bonus Buy feature?
Yes, Tic Tac Take has a Bonus Buy feature available for non-UK players. The Bonus Buy feature allows players to purchase the respins feature directly by paying 100x their current bet amount. However, expert reviews consistently recommend avoiding this feature due to poor return on investment. -
What is the game theme and design of Tic Tac Take?
Tic Tac Take is inspired by the classic tic-tac-toe paper game and the Starburst slot. The game features a disco/gemstone theme with fireflies moving around in the background and brightly coloured crystal symbols. The visual design is simple and polarizing – some players find it charming whilst others consider it tacky. -
Is 2,200x a good maximum win for Tic Tac Take compared to other high volatility slots?
The 2,200x maximum win for Tic Tac Take is considered low for a high-volatility slot. Many other high volatility games offer 25,000x and above as a top prize, making Tic Tac Take’s max win significantly lower. This limitation is one of the game’s primary drawbacks for players seeking substantial win potential. -
Can you play Tic Tac Take on mobile?
Yes, Tic Tac Take is available to play on mobile devices. The game is compatible with mobile platforms including phones and tablets, and can be played in demo mode or for real money at licensed casinos.
