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Great 88 from Betsoft Gaming: Slot Review - a very lucky number indeed!

Visit China to find out why the number 8 is considered one of the luckiest numbers of all.

The number 8 is said to be a very lucky number in Chinese culture and that is what this slot is all about. The reason it is so important is that the number 8 (“Ba”) sounds very similar to the word “Fa” which means “wealth”, “fortune”, and “prosper” in Chinese. Adding another 8 to make 88 makes things even more interesting as this number closely resembles the word “shuāng xǐ” which nicely translates into the word “double happiness”. Betsoft Gaming decided to release this game to highlight the fascination that Chinese people have about this very lucky number.

Great 88 is a 5 reel slot with 30 paylines and it contains features such as Lucky Boxes and an optional Double Up mode.

Great 88 Screenshot

Special Features

The first feature to mention is the Wild symbol and it is depicted by a bunch of firecrackers. Like standard Wild symbols, it substitutes for all other symbols except the Lucky Boxes symbol to help form winning combinations on the reels. Make sure to keep a close eye on this symbol when spinning the reels as it is the highest paying symbol in the game. If you manage to land 5 of these symbols across the reels then you’ll be celebrating in style with an amazing 8,888 coins! It is quite apt that the payout is in multiples of 8 as it ties in nicely with the theme of the game.

The main attraction of the slot is Lucky Boxes. To trigger this exciting feature, you have to land 3 or more Lucky Boxes symbols anywhere on the reels. The Lucky Boxes symbol is illustrated by a beautiful ornate red box. When activated, you will be awarded one of 5 random prizes. They are as follows:

  • Top Symbols: The boxes will transform into the top paying symbols of the red dragon and the blue lion to combine with standard symbols to hopefully create some big wins.
  • Firecracker Wilds: Firecrackers Wild symbols may explode and this will spread to 1 or 2 other symbols transforming them into a Wild to help boost your chances of a big payout.
  • Instant Wins: Each Lucky Box may reveal between 1 and 3 Bronze Coins. Your win is then multiplied by the total number of Bronze Coins. It is possible to win up to 15X your total bet.
  • Bonus Wheel: The Lucky Box may contain a Golden Dumpling. Each Dumpling awards a spin on the Bonus Wheel where you can win 8 Free Spins, up to 20X your total wager or a chance to spin on the Mega Win Wheel which can award a staggering 6,000X payout!
  • Free Spins: The Lucky Box may reveal 1, 3, or 5 Jade Coins which in turn will give you between 3 and 25 Free Spins.

The last feature to discuss is the optional Double Up game. This is triggered whenever you form a win on the reels and gives you the chance to increase your winnings. To play this game, all you have to do is click on the “Double Up” button when it lights up after you have landed a win. The idea of this game is to choose between heads or tails as a golden coin is flipped. Guess correctly and your winnings will be doubled. For those that enjoy taking a risk then it is possible to go all in and bet 100% of your winnings but be warned choose incorrectly and you will lose all of your winnings. However, if you are on a hot streak and just want to quit while you are ahead then you can collect your current winnings by simply pressing the “Collect Bank” button while in this feature.

Theme, Graphics and Sound

The graphics are top drawer and certainly live up to Betsoft’s usual standard of excellence when it comes to presenting a superb looking game. The slot is set against a mountain with some cherry blossoms underneath and you’ll also notice a wonderful looking Chinese temple on the left-hand side of the reels. Symbols consist of a frog, some flutes, a dragon, a lion, a red decoration, the number 8, the number 6, some Chinese characters, and a set of firecrackers. The animations are excellent as symbols enlarge and spin around rapidly whenever you form a win on the reels.

The music is quite melodic and full of soft pipes and flute sounds. It is very relaxing and suits the theme of the game superbly.

Win lines, Payouts and Jackpots

The game features 5 reels with 30 paylines, a reasonable RTP of 95.36%, and a fantastic maximum payout worth 8,888X your original wager.

Below is a summary taken from the PayOut Table from the game. The amount won for each combination depends on the value of the bet when you spin the reels.

Bet Range: 0.60, 1.20, 1.50, 1.80, 2.40, 3.00, 4.50, 6.00, 9.00, 12.00, 15.00

Based on a bet of 0.60:

  • Firecrackers Wild Symbol: 88 for 3X, 888 for 4X, 8,888 for 5X
  • Red Dragon Symbol: 250 for 3X, 500 for 4X, 1,000 for 5X
  • Blue Lion Symbol: 150 for 3X, 300 for 4X, 600 for 5X
  • Green Frog Symbol: 125 for 3X, 250 for 4X, 500 for 5X
  • Red Decoration Symbol: 75 for 3X, 150 for 4X, 300 for 5X
  • 8 Symbol: 50 for 3X, 100 for 4X, 200 for 5X
  • 6 Symbol: 25 for 3X, 50 for 4X, 100 for 5X
  • Green Diamond Symbol: 10 for 3X, 25 for 4X, 50 for 5X
  • Red Diamond Symbol: 10 for 3X, 25 for 4X, 50 for 5X
  • Red Flute Symbol: 5 for 3X, 10 for 4X, 25 for 5X
  • Green Flute Symbol: 5 for 3X, 10 for 4X, 25 for 5X
  • Brown Flute Symbol: 5 for 3X, 10 for 4X, 25 for 5X

Our Verdict on Great 88

Great 88 is made by Betsoft Gaming and it is a very impressive slot. The game is visually stunning to look at and is really easy to play. Thanks to the calming music, you will find your zen zone no problem when playing this game! The Lucky Boxes feature adds lots of depth and provides plenty of replay value. I was able to trigger it a few times while playing and the most lucrative feature is, of course, the Bonus Wheel where you have the chance to win up to 6,000X your total bet! I found this game to be of Medium to High variance so you may need to invest a bit of time before you land a nice payout but the payouts can be massive so it is well worth the wait.

Win a very lucky fortune in Great 88!