Book of Ra vs Book of Dead: The Original vs The Clone That Surpassed It
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Book of Ra Deluxe | Book of Dead | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | Novomatic | Play'n GO | — |
| Release Year | 2008 | 2016 | — |
| RTP | 95.1% | 96.21% | Book of Dead (+1.11%) |
| Volatility | High | High | Tie |
| Max Win | 5,000x | 5,000x | Tie |
| Grid | 5×3 | 5×3 | Tie |
| Paylines | 10 | 10 | Tie |
| Core Mechanic | Expanding symbol free spins | Expanding symbol free spins | Identical |
| Book Symbol | Wild + Scatter | Wild + Scatter | Identical |
| Gamble Feature | Yes (colour/suit) | Yes (colour/suit) | Tie |
| Bonus Buy | No | No | Tie |
| Online Availability | Limited (Novomatic markets) | Virtually everywhere | Book of Dead |
The RTP Gap: What 1.11% Actually Costs
These two slots are mechanically identical. Same grid, same paylines, same expanding symbol bonus, same max win. The only meaningful difference is RTP — and it's significant:
| At $1/spin | Book of Ra Deluxe (95.10%) | Book of Dead (96.21%) | You Save with BoD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 spins | $24.50 loss | $18.95 loss | $5.55 |
| 2,000 spins | $98.00 | $75.80 | $22.20 |
| 10,000 spins | $490.00 | $379.00 | $111.00 |
| 50,000 spins | $2,450 | $1,895 | $555 |
$111 per 10,000 spins. That's not a rounding error — it's a meaningful mathematical disadvantage that compounds with every session. For the exact same gameplay experience, Book of Ra costs you more.
How Book of Dead Cloned Book of Ra
Let's be honest about what happened: Play'n GO studied Novomatic's formula and recreated it with better economics. The timeline:
This isn't unusual in the slot industry — successful mechanics get adopted and improved. What's unusual is how directly Book of Dead copies Book of Ra's formula and how decisively it surpasses it mathematically.
When Book of Ra Is Still the Better Choice
Despite the math favouring Book of Dead, there are legitimate scenarios where Book of Ra makes sense:
Land-Based Casino Play
In Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe, Novomatic cabinets dominate physical casino floors. Book of Dead may not be available on the gaming floor. In this context, Book of Ra Deluxe is the only option — and it's still a perfectly playable slot.
Nostalgia Value
If you first played Book of Ra on a physical Novomatic machine, the experience carries emotional weight that Book of Dead can't replicate. The sounds, the reel animations, the cabinet feel — these are worth something to many players. Just know you're paying ~$111 per 10,000 spins for the privilege.
Casino Bonuses Tied to Novomatic
Some casinos offer free spins specifically on Novomatic titles. If you receive 50 free spins on Book of Ra, play them — free spins have infinite RTP because you're not paying per spin.
The Third Option: Legacy of Dead
If you want the book slot experience with even better math, consider Legacy of Dead by Play'n GO:
| Metric | Book of Ra Deluxe | Book of Dead | Legacy of Dead |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTP | 95.10% | 96.21% | 96.58% |
| Max Win | 5,000x | 5,000x | 5,000x |
| Expanding Symbols | 1 per round | 1 per round | Multiple can stack |
| Release | 2008 | 2016 | 2020 |
Legacy of Dead's stacking expanding symbols add another dimension to the bonus round. Multiple symbols can expand simultaneously, creating more win potential from a single bonus trigger. Read the full Book of Dead vs Legacy of Dead comparison.
Verdict
For online play: Book of Dead. Always. The 1.11% RTP advantage for identical gameplay is not debatable — it's mathematics.
For land-based play: Book of Ra Deluxe is the only option in most European casinos, and it's a fine slot. The 95.10% RTP is acceptable for physical machines where RTPs are generally lower.
For the best book slot experience overall: Try Legacy of Dead for the modern evolution with stacking expanders, or explore our complete book slots hub.
Profit Calculator: Book of Ra Deluxe vs Book of Dead
Enter your deposit and bet size to see the mathematical difference between these two slots.
Based on theoretical RTP. Real sessions vary significantly due to volatility. Expected values assume you wager your entire deposit — if you stop early or win big, actual results differ. Learn how RTP works.
FAQ
Is Book of Dead a copy of Book of Ra?
Mechanically, yes. Book of Dead uses the same core concept: book scatter triggers free spins with a randomly expanding symbol. However, they are different games from different providers (Play'n GO vs Novomatic) with different math models. Book of Dead has 96.21% RTP vs Book of Ra Deluxe's 95.10%.
Which has better RTP — Book of Ra or Book of Dead?
Book of Dead at 96.21% vs Book of Ra Deluxe at 95.10%. That 1.11% gap costs $111 per $10,000 wagered. The original Book of Ra (2005 version) was even worse at 92.13%.
Why is Book of Ra still popular if Book of Dead is better?
Brand recognition and land-based dominance. Novomatic controls the physical casino market in much of Europe. Many players first encountered the book slot concept on a Novomatic cabinet and associate the experience with that brand. Online, Book of Dead has largely replaced it in popularity.
What is the max win on Book of Ra and Book of Dead?
Both cap at 5,000x your bet. The max win comes from the premium symbol being selected as the expanding symbol during free spins and landing across multiple reels, covering all paylines.
Are there better book slots than both?
Yes — Legacy of Dead by Play'n GO has 96.58% RTP with stacking expanding symbols. Kingdom of the Dead adds modern features to the book slot formula. See our complete book slots hub for all options.