Pragmatic Play launched the Big Bass Bonanza back in December 2020. In four years or so, it has caused a big splash in the gambling industry with its simple design and fun fishing theme. Every time you “catch” a trio of fish, you trigger multipliers, bonus rounds and free spins.
In this Big Bass Bonanza beginner’s guide, we’ll tell you:
- How to play Big Bass Bonanza
- Big Bass Bonanza rules
- Big Bass Bonanza features
What Is Big Bass Bonanza?
Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass Bonanza is a vibrant fishing-themed adventure. It features a 5-reel (vertical spinning columns), 3-row layout with 10 fixed paylines. The game is set against an underwater backdrop teeming with aquatic life. Players have to “reel in” the fish symbols. When you hit the button, the onscreen fisherman character collects these symbols.
Apart from the fish, other symbols include alphabets (A, J, Q, K), the number 10, a tackle box, a fishing rod, a bait, and a dragonfly.
There are several variations of this fishing slot game.
- Bigger Bass Bonanza: Features a 5-reel, 4-row layout with 12 paylines with a maximum win potential of 4,000 times the stake.
- Big Bass Bonanza Megaways: Offers up to 147,656 ways to win. if you lose, part of your bet adds to a growing jackpot for the next round. So, if the starting pot is £50 and the player loses, this amount is added to the next game and the pot becomes £100. It keeps growing exponentially till someone wins.
Some more versions include:
- Big Bass Christmas Bash
- Big Bass – Hold & Spinner
- Big Bass Bonanza 3 Reeler
- Big Bass Bonanza – Reel Action
- Christmas Big Bass Bonanza
The original Big Bass Bonanza offers a Return to Player (RTP) rate of 96.71%, slightly above the industry average, and a maximum win potential of 2,100 times the player’s stake. Players can choose from a range of betting preferences, with flexible stake levels starting from as low as $0.10 per spin.
Big Bass Bonanza Slot Guide: Quick Overview
| Slot type | Video slot |
| RTP | 96.71% |
| Paylines | 10 |
| Reels | 5 |
| Minimum bet amount (in dollars) | 0.10 |
| Maximum bet amount (in dollars) | 250 |
| Minimum coins per line | 1 |
| Maximum coins per line | 10 |
How to Play Big Bass Bonanza: Setting Up Your Game
Select Your Bet Amount
Before starting, you will be asked to set your preferred bet amount. In Big Bass Bonanza, bets range from $0.10 to $250 per spin. If you are new to online casino slots, start with the smallest betting amount to keep your bankroll safe.
Your total bet is calculated on three parameters
- Coins per line
- Coin value
- Total value
Use the “+” and “-” buttons to increase or decrease the stake in each parameter.
Understand the Game Interface
Before spinning, familiarize yourself with the slot’s interface:
- Spin Button: Starts a round at the chosen bet level.
- Autoplay Feature: Allows for a set number of spins to run automatically. You can choose between 10 and 1000 autoplays. But make sure you have enough bankroll to cover the autoplays.
- Turbo Mode: The last reel spins longer in the turbo mode after other reels have come to a stop. Press the spacebar to activate turbo mode.
- Quick Spin and Skip Screen: This is a feature of the autoplay where instead of spinning, the reels cascade.
- Information (‘i’) Button: Displays paytable details, symbol values, and bonus features.
- Balance and Bet Display: Shows current available funds and active bet amount.
Start Spinning
Once you have adjusted your bet, click the Spin button to begin. Wins are awarded for matching symbols from left to right, diagonally, and vertically on the paylines. Catching the golden fish triggers bonus features for bigger payouts.
Understanding Big Bass Bonanza Features
The Fisherman Wild Symbol
This wild symbol only appears in the bonus round. If you land this wild symbol on the screen, the fisherman will reel in all the money marked on the fish on the screen. It also substitutes for all regular symbols (except the Scatter).
The Fish Scatter
There are several fish that appear on the screen. They vary in size and amount ranging between $2 and $50. The biggest fish is the Scatter, which appears as a large fish caught in the tackle, the same as on the game’s logo.
The Scatter is key to unlocking the free spins bonus. You need to land 3, 4, or 5 scatters on the screen to trigger the free spins. The number of free spins depends on the number of Scatters:
- 3 scatters = 10 free spins
- 4 scatters = 15 free spins
- 5 scatters = 20 free spins
Free Spins Bonus
The Free Spins feature is what makes Big Bass Bonanza stand out. Every 4 Fisherman Wilds collected retriggers the feature applying a progressive multiplier:
- 1st retrigger: 10 free spins with a 2x multiplier
- 2nd retrigger: 10 free spins with a 3x multiplier
- 3rd retrigger: 10 free spins with a 10x multiplier
These multiple retriggers can lead to huge wins.
Remaining Symbols
You don’t always have to land the Scatter to win. These remaining symbols pay anywhere between 0.5 to 2.5 your bet amount:
- A/K/Q/J/10
- Fish Money
- Tackle Box
- Fishing Rod
- Dragonfly
Payouts and Symbols in Big Bass Bonanza
High-Value Symbols
- Fish Money Symbols: They pay out the cash values mentioned and also trigger the free spin round.
- Fishing Rod: 3, 15, or 100 x bet depending on how many rods line up on the screen.
- Tackle Box: 2, 10, or 50 x bet
- Multi-Coloured Float: Pays 0.5, 5, 20, or 200 x bet
Low-Value Symbols
- Standard A, K, Q, J, and 10 symbols: These pay 0.5, 2.5, or 10 x bet
- Dragonfly: A mid-tier symbol that pays 2, 10, or 50 x bet.
Tips for Playing Big Bass Bonanza Responsibly
- Set a budget and stick to it. Decide an amount (also called bankroll) that you are comfortable losing.
- Avoid using the autospin feature as it can empty your bankroll quickly. Manual spins allow you to enjoy the game a little longer.
- If you are new to casino slot games, stick to the lowest betting amount, and the lowest coin value per spin.
- Big Bass Bonanza is a medium-volatility slot, meaning wins can be less frequent but potentially bigger. So, you may get stuck in a dry spell and empty your bankroll. Play cautiously and take breaks. Lower your bet size for longer play sessions.
- Play this game for entertainment, not profit. Don’t gamble more than you can afford to lose.
- Play only on casino sites that are compliant with the Gambling Commission to protect your identity and capital.
How Does Big Bass Bonanza Compare to Other Slot Games?
Big Bass Bonanza rules are quite simple and straightforward. The game has 5 reels and a 10-payline setup. It’s a medium volatility game, which means you might see frequent wins on the smaller symbols but rare wins on the bigger symbols. If you keep your bet amount low, you can ride out the dry spell and enter the bonus round.
Comparatively, it offers higher win potential than lower-volatility slots like Starburst, however, it comes with a risk to the bankroll. If you compare it to another fishing slot game like the Gates of Olympus, Big Bass Bonanza has a relaxed theme, slow music, simple graphics, and large symbols.
Explore Big Bass Bonanza with Confidence
Now that you have a solid understanding of Big Bass Bonanza’s rules and features, you can play the game with confidence. Remember to play responsibly and use the minimum bet amount.
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FAQs
How do I trigger the free spins bonus in Big Bass Bonanza?
You can trigger the free spins bonus by landing three or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels.
How are payouts calculated in this game?
Payouts are based on the paytable values for matching symbols and how many symbols you land on the screen. Moreover, a progressive multiplier (up to 10x) is applied when the free spin feature activates.
Is Big Bass Bonanza suitable for beginners?
Yes, Big Bass Bonanza is great for beginners because of its easy gameplay and the option to choose the lowest betting amount of just $0.10 per spin.
Can I play Big Bass Bonanza on mobile devices?
Yes, the game is optimized for mobile play and runs smoothly on iOS and Android smartphones & tablets.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years old. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org