Tic Tac Take

Tic Tac Take Slot Review

Tic Tac Take brings a nostalgic twist to online slots by gamifying the timeless tic-tac-toe experience. Developed by Reel Kingdom and published through Pragmatic Play, this 5×3 slot combines the simplicity of the classic paper game with a disco-themed aesthetic and an engaging Respins feature. Released in March 2022, the game strips away complex mechanics in favour of straightforward, feature-light gameplay. It’s designed for players seeking an uncomplicated gaming experience without overwhelming detail or convoluted bonus systems. However, beneath the charming concept lies a game that divides opinion—appreciated by casual players for its solid RTP but criticised by those chasing big wins.

Base Game & Features

Tic Tac Take employs a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines that pay both ways, meaning winning combinations count from left-to-right and right-to-left. The symbol hierarchy features gem symbols as the primary pay symbols—with the Rainbow Gem offering the highest payouts, Purple and Green Gems paying second-best, and Yellow, Blue, and Red Gems as the lowest-paying symbols. X and O symbols form the core mechanic of the game, acting as the key to triggering the Respins feature. When these symbols land in complete lines—vertically, horizontally, or diagonally—they ignite the main bonus mechanic.

Wild symbols appear exclusively on the three middle reels (reels 2, 3, and 4), substituting for all symbols except X and O symbols. This placement restriction keeps the focus on the Respins feature as the primary win generator. The base game itself features no additional modifiers or special mechanics—it’s purely a spin-and-match experience, which makes it appealing to players who prefer straightforward gameplay without layers of complexity. During base play, expect plenty of dead spins between feature triggers; the high volatility means wins can be scarce.

Respins Feature & Bonus Mechanics

The Respins feature is Tic Tac Take’s beating heart. Landing a full line of X or O symbols (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal on the middle reels) triggers 1 respin for each complete line formed. Should players manage to fill all three middle reels with X or O symbols, they can receive up to 8 respins maximum. During respins, those X and O symbols transform into sticky wild symbols on the middle reels, locking in place and staying locked during subsequent spins. This creates the potential for cascading wins and bigger payouts as each new spin can land additional symbols to trigger more respins.

Bonus Buy Feature

For non-UK players, Tic Tac Take offers a Bonus Buy feature that allows purchasing the Respins feature directly for 100x the current bet. This purchase guarantees at least one complete line of X or O symbols, triggering respins from 1 to a maximum of 8. It’s worth noting that UK players cannot access this feature due to Gambling Commission regulations on bonus purchases. For those outside the UK who do have access, the cost-to-reward ratio warrants careful consideration—90% of triggered bonuses return under 10x, making the 100x purchase price seem steep when most outcomes deliver minimal returns.

What We Like & Dislike About Tic Tac Take

The Positives

• Excellent RTP of 96.63% sits above the 95-96% industry average
• Well-executed Respins feature with up to 8 spins possible
• Sticky wild mechanics during respins create engaging moment-to-moment gameplay
• Simple, straightforward mechanics appeal to players seeking uncomplicated gameplay
• RTP variants (96.63%, 95.54%, 94.57%) provide casino flexibility
• Nostalgic tic-tac-toe theme works well for casual audiences
• Mobile-compatible HTML5 platform for iOS and Android play

The Negatives

• Maximum win of 2,200x is significantly low for a high-volatility slot
• Base game suffers from excessive dead spins between feature triggers
• Visual design is simple and lacks polish; described as tacky rather than polished
• Only one feature (Respins) with no variety in base game mechanics
• Bonus Buy at 100x cost rarely justifies its expense with minimal returns
• Most single respins deliver underwhelming payouts
• Limited player engagement; underperforms on social media and forums

Game Specifications

Our Honest Verdict

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

Tic Tac Take occupies a challenging middle ground. On the positive side, the 96.63% RTP sits comfortably above the industry average, and the Respins mechanic is genuinely well-executed with satisfying sticky wild moments when they hit. For players seeking simplicity without bells and whistles, the streamlined design is refreshing. Reel Kingdom successfully captured the essence of the tic-tac-toe concept and translated it into engaging gameplay.

However, significant drawbacks prevent us from recommending this enthusiastically. The 2,200x maximum win is notably poor for a high-volatility slot—especially when competing Pragmatic Play games typically offer 5,000x or higher. The base game suffers from brutal dead-spin stretches that feel more like grinding than exciting variance. The visual design, whilst thematic, is simple and lacks the polish or aesthetic appeal found in modern slot releases. Most concerning, the Bonus Buy feature at 100x cost delivers disappointing returns 90% of the time, making it a poor value proposition.

Tic Tac Take appeals specifically to casual players who appreciate uncomplicated, feature-light gameplay and prioritise solid RTP over big win potential. Those seeking simplicity for its own sake will find the tic-tac-toe theme charming and nostalgic. Conversely, big win chasers should look elsewhere, as the 2,200x cap falls far short of expectations. Feature enthusiasts seeking variety and visual polish will find the game’s minimalist approach frustrating. Overall, this is a competent but unexciting release that improves upon previous Reel Kingdom efforts but fails to deliver the excitement or reward potential that modern players increasingly demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the RTP of Tic Tac Take?

  Tic Tac Take features an RTP of 96.63%, which sits above the typical 95-96% average for online slots. The game offers RTP flexibility with variants at 95.54% and 94.57% depending on casino configuration, making it adaptable to different operator settings.
• What is the maximum win on Tic Tac Take?

  The Tic Tac Take slot offers a maximum win potential of 2,200x your stake. Importantly, the game implements a hard cap—when you reach 2,200x, respins automatically end, preventing further accumulation.
• What is the volatility of Tic Tac Take?

  Tic Tac Take is classified as a high volatility slot. This means you can expect plenty of dead spins between occasional Respin wins. When the Respins feature does trigger, payouts can be exciting, but the wait between triggers can be long and testing.
• How does the Tic Tac Take Respins feature work?

  The Respins feature triggers when you land a complete line of X or O symbols vertically, horizontally, or diagonally on the three middle reels. You receive 1 respin for each complete line, up to a maximum of 8 respins when all three middle reels are filled. During respins, X and O symbols transform into sticky wilds that remain locked in place.
• Does Tic Tac Take have a Bonus Buy feature?

  Yes, Tic Tac Take offers a Bonus Buy feature for non-UK players. This feature allows you to purchase the Respins feature directly by paying 100x your current bet. The purchase guarantees a full line of X or O symbols, triggering at least 1 respin up to 8 maximum. Note: This feature is not available to UK players due to Gambling Commission regulations.
• 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 draws stylistic influences from Starburst. The game features a disco and gemstone theme with a solid purple/blue background and animated firefly-like lighting effects. Whilst thematic and nostalgic, the design is relatively simple and spartan in visual complexity.
• Can you play Tic Tac Take on mobile?

  Yes, Tic Tac Take is fully compatible with mobile devices. The game is built on HTML5 technology and works seamlessly on iOS and Android platforms. You can play in demo mode or for real money at mobile-friendly casinos that offer the game.