About Big Bass Bonanza
Big Bass Bonanza (in Russian "биг басс бонанза") is a 5×3 slot in Pragmatic Play's portfolio, created in partnership with Reel Kingdom. It has 10 paylines and a near-classic format, so it is fundamentally different from cascading games like Sweet Bonanza or Sugar Rush. The standard RTP is 96.71%, which is relatively high among popular slots.
Key stats
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Provider | Pragmatic Play (Reel Kingdom) |
| Grid | 5×3, 10 paylines |
| RTP | 96.71% (standard version) |
| Volatility | Medium–high |
| Main feature | Fisherman (Wild) collects money fish |
| Maximum win | Per provider information |
How the base game plays
In the base game, a win is paid when at least three matching symbols land on a payline from left to right, starting from the first reel (for some high-value symbols, two are enough). The card values (10, J, Q, K, A) form the low-paying group, while fishing gear — a rod, a float, a dragonfly lure, a boat and a fish — make up the high-paying group.
Money fish also land in the base game, but there is no fisherman to collect them here — they simply pay as ordinary symbols on a line. That is why the base game feels rather "quiet", while most of the value is concentrated in the free spins. This demands patience: the bonus round may not trigger for several hundred spins.
The Fisherman Collect feature
The heart of the game is the free spins round. It is triggered when 3 or more scatters (the tackle box) land. During the bonus round:
- Money fish appear on the screen — each showing a random cash value.
- When a fisherman (Wild) symbol lands, he collects the value of every money fish on the screen.
- Each fisherman collected is counted; after a certain number, extra spins are awarded.
- In later stages, a multiplier is applied to the values collected.
If the fisherman and money fish don't land at the same time, a spin can pay nothing — which is why no two bonus rounds give the same result.
The Big Bass series
After the original game's success, the provider released dozens of sequels: Bigger Bass Bonanza, Big Bass Splash, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, holiday editions and other themed versions. Their core idea is the same — the fisherman collects money fish — but the grid size, extra modifiers and volatility differ. For example, in the Megaways version the number of ways to win changes on every spin, while the Splash version adds random modifiers before the bonus. Before starting a new version, read its rules and RTP separately — each game in the series has its own mathematical model.
Strengths of the series
- Clear, classic mechanics
- Relatively high RTP
- Lots of variants — you can pick the one that suits you
Weaknesses
- The base game is fairly "quiet"
- Most of the value sits in the bonus round
- Newer versions have different RTPs — always check
Demo vs real play
The Big Bass Bonanza demo is the safest way to understand the fisherman mechanic. For real-money play, the Big Bass series is widely available at the 888Starz casino. Per 888Starz's current terms, the casino package is up to €1500 plus FS, and you can enter the promo code XBUNKER when registering. Deposits are possible by card, e-wallet, many local methods such as UPI or mobile money, and crypto. Reviews of other operators are on our main site.
Honest recommendations
- Even with a 96.71% RTP, a short session can end any way at all — more on our slot RTP page.
- Don't raise your stake while "waiting" for the bonus round — scatters land at random.
- Check which version of the series you are playing and what its RTP is.
- Set time and money limits for each session in advance.
Big Bass Bonanza's relatively high RTP leads many players to conclude that "it's easier to win here". In reality, the difference between 96.71% and 96.50% is barely noticeable in a short session — volatility and chance have a much bigger effect on your result. So choose a slot not by RTP alone, but by whether you enjoy its mechanics and whether it fits your budget. If you like the fishing theme but don't want sharp swings, it makes sense to start with the original version.
