Big Bass Return to the Races

Big Bass Return to the Races: Slot Overview

Pragmatic Play has taken their beloved Big Bass series in an unexpected direction with Big Bass Return to the Races. After testing this game extensively, I’ve found it offers a refreshing twist on the familiar fishing theme by placing our angler friend at the horse racing track. The game retains the charm of the series while introducing new racing-themed elements that work surprisingly well together.

Playing on a standard 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines, wins are formed by matching symbols from left to right. The racetrack setting creates a lively atmosphere, with cheering crowds and racing horses visible in the background. The graphics are crisp and detailed, making the entire experience visually appealing without being overwhelming.

What immediately stood out to me was how Pragmatic Play managed to blend the fishing and racing themes seamlessly. The game features both the signature fisherman character as a Wild symbol and racing horses that carry cash values, creating an interesting fusion that feels cohesive rather than forced.

You can try the demo of Big Bass Return to the Races right here on CasinoShark before committing to real money play. I highly recommend giving it a few spins to get familiar with the mechanics before wagering your own funds.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play continues to cement its reputation as one of the industry’s leading slot developers with this release. The company has shown remarkable consistency in producing high-quality titles that maintain player interest, and Big Bass Return to the Races is no exception.

The Big Bass series has become one of Pragmatic Play’s flagship franchises, with each new release adding fresh mechanics while maintaining the core elements that players enjoy. This approach has allowed them to expand the series without it feeling stale or repetitive.

What I particularly appreciate about Pragmatic Play’s work on this slot is the attention to detail in both the visual presentation and game mechanics. The sound design complements the racing theme perfectly, with the thundering of hooves and crowd cheers creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.

Big Bass Return to the Races: Symbols & Payouts

The symbols in Big Bass Return to the Races are thoughtfully designed to reflect both the fishing and racing themes. During my playtime, I noticed the game maintains a good balance between symbol frequency and payout values, offering a hit frequency of 14.29% that keeps the gameplay engaging.

High-Paying Symbols

The premium symbols in this slot perfectly capture the day at the races theme:

• Champagne Bottle – The highest-paying standard symbol at 200x your bet for a five-of-a-kind combination. Uniquely, this symbol pays 0.5x for just two matches.
• Horses – These symbols serve dual purposes as both high-paying symbols and cash symbols during bonus games.
• Binoculars – Essential for watching the races, these pay handsomely for combinations.
• Beer – No day at the races is complete without refreshments.
• Picnic Basket – Adds to the raceday atmosphere with decent payouts.

Low-Paying Symbols

The lower-tier symbols consist of royals:

• A, K, Q, J, and 10 – These provide smaller but more frequent wins, paying between 5x and 10x your bet for five of a kind.

Special Symbols

• Wild Symbol (The Gambler) – Substitutes for all symbols except Scatters and Horse Symbols. Only appears during Bonus Games and collects the value of all Horse Symbols in view.
• Horse Symbols – These only land during Bonus Games and can carry values ranging from 2x to an incredible 5,000x your bet.
• Scatter Symbols – Landing three or more triggers the Bonus Games feature.

Paytable

Game Bonuses & Special Features

During my testing, I found the bonus features to be where Big Bass Return to the Races truly shines. Pragmatic Play has crafted a bonus system that keeps players engaged and offers substantial win potential.

Wild Symbol

The Wild Symbol features the Gambler character and substitutes for all symbols except Scatters and Horse Symbols. This symbol only appears during the Bonus Game, where it serves a crucial function by collecting the values of all Horse Symbols in view, potentially leading to massive payouts.

Horse Symbol

Horse Symbols only land during Bonus Games and can carry values ranging from 2x to an impressive 5,000x your bet. These values include: 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 20x, 25x, 50x, 100x, 200x, 500x, 1666x, 2500x, and 5000x. The values can only be collected when a Gambler Wild appears simultaneously on the reels during the Bonus Games.

Bonus Games

Triggered by landing 3 or more Scatter Symbols anywhere on the reels during the Base Game. The number of Free Spins awarded depends on the number of Scatters:

• 3 Scatters: 10 Free Spins
• 4 Scatters: 15 Free Spins
• 5 Scatters: 20 Free Spins

Before the feature begins, you must pick a card to reveal which Bonus Game is triggered:

Regular Free Spins

If a Bonus Card is revealed, the regular Free Spins feature is triggered. During my sessions, I found this to be the more common outcome, offering solid win potential through the Wild and Horse Symbol mechanics.

Golden Cup Free Spins

If a Secrets of the Golden Lake card is revealed, the Golden Cup Free Spins are triggered. This enhanced version of the bonus game offers greater potential for high-value Horse Symbols to appear, increasing the chances of substantial wins.

Ante Bet

This feature allows you to increase your stake in exchange for a higher chance of triggering the Bonus Game. While this increases the volatility, I found it to be a worthwhile option when chasing the more lucrative features.

Feature Buy

For those who prefer to skip straight to the action, the Feature Buy option lets you purchase direct access to the Bonus Game. While expensive, it guarantees entry to the game’s most exciting feature without waiting for natural triggers.

RTP and Volatility

Big Bass Return to the Races comes with a medium to high volatility, which means you can expect decent-sized wins with moderate frequency. The base game provides regular small wins to maintain your balance, while the real win potential lies in the bonus features.

The RTP (Return to Player) percentage is competitive within the industry standard, ensuring fair play while maintaining the excitement of potential big wins. During my extended gameplay sessions, I experienced both lean periods and rewarding bonus rounds, which is exactly what you’d expect from a medium-high volatility slot.

The maximum win potential of 5,000x your stake is impressive and provides a compelling reason to keep spinning. This potential is primarily realized through the Horse Symbols during bonus games, particularly when multiple high-value horses are collected by a Wild.

Big Bass Return to the Races: Slot Verdict

After spending considerable time with Big Bass Return to the Races, I can confidently say that Pragmatic Play has successfully expanded the Big Bass series in an interesting new direction. The combination of fishing and horse racing themes works surprisingly well, creating a fresh experience while maintaining the familiar elements that fans of the series enjoy.

The game’s strength lies in its bonus features, particularly the interaction between the Wild and Horse Symbols during Free Spins. These mechanics create genuine excitement and substantial win potential that keeps you engaged through multiple play sessions.

While the base game might feel somewhat standard, it serves as a solid foundation for the more exciting bonus features. The visual presentation is excellent, with detailed symbols and a lively racetrack atmosphere that immerses you in the theme.

If you enjoy medium to high volatility slots with strong bonus potential, Big Bass Return to the Races is definitely worth adding to your playlist. You can try the demo right here on CasinoShark, and if you like what you see, check out these trusted casinos to play for real money:

• Leo Vegas
• 888 Casino
• Mr Green