Benny the Beer by Hacksaw Gaming is a delightful online slot that brings a unique and refreshing twist to the world of virtual gambling. As a fan of both online slots and beer, we were naturally drawn to this game, and it didn’t disappoint. Here’s a detailed review of our experiences playing Benny the Beer slot!
Gameplay
Benny the Beer is an online slot game featuring 5 reels and 4 rows, offering players the potential for a staggering 1,024 to 100,000 ways to win when fully expanded. The variation in the number of ways to win is due to the innovative Stackways mechanic, which we’ll explain in more detail shortly. In this game, regular wins are awarded from left to right, starting from the leftmost reel, and they occur quite frequently, with a frequency rate of 37.79%.
The game offers an RTP (Return to Player) of 96.17%, although there are also three lower RTP configurations available. With a medium volatility rating, players can choose to wager between 10 pence/cents and £/€100 per spin.
The game’s regular symbols include the typical J-A card ranks, as well as unique symbols such as a padlock, an alarm clock, a camera, a bomb, and the character Benny himself. When you achieve a five-of-a-kind win with the royal symbols, it rewards you with a payout equivalent to 0.7 times your initial bet.
However, when you land character symbols in lines of five, they offer more generous payouts, ranging from 2 to 4 times your bet. While these values might not be the highest seen in slot games of this type, there are strategies within the game to enhance your winnings. It’s important to note that Benny the Beer does not include wild symbols at any point during gameplay.
Bonus features
In Benny the Beer, there’s a primary feature that takes center stage – Stackways.
Whenever a Stackways symbol lands on a reel, that particular reel becomes stacked with a group of paying symbols. This stacking can include as many as 10 symbols on each reel, potentially leading to an impressive 100,000 ways to win.
There are two types of Stackways symbols:
- Normal Stackways Symbol: These symbols can have values of 2, 3, or 4.
- Revealing Stackways Symbol: These symbols can have values of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10.
All Stackways symbols have the same function – they reveal and stack identical symbols. The specific symbol that is revealed is determined based on which pay symbol would create the longest winning combination in conjunction with the symbols already present on the reels.
In cases where multiple symbols could create combinations of equal length, the symbol is chosen randomly from those that would produce the same length combination. Importantly, stacking only occurs when the outcome will lead to a winning combination, ensuring that players have a shot at scoring rewards with each spin.
Benny The Beer Bonus
To activate the Book of Stackways bonus game in Benny The Beer, you’ll need to land 3 FS Scatter symbols, and as a reward, you’ll receive 10 free spins.
Before the bonus game kicks off, the game randomly selects 2 symbols to serve as special symbols. These special symbols play a crucial role during the bonus round. When one of these special symbols appears on at least 3 reels while you’re in the bonus game, indicators located below the reels will light up, revealing a number between 2 and 10.
This number indicates the count of Stackways (note that there are no Stackways symbols during the bonus game). The special symbol will then stack the corresponding number of times on the indicated reels based on the numbers shown below those reels.
In cases where more than one special symbol lands on 3 or more reels simultaneously, they will stack and pay out one by one, sequentially.
The stacked symbols in the bonus game will pay out across all possible winning combinations, as if the stacked reels were connected from left to right, much like how a standard “book” game works when a symbol expands.
Furthermore, you can extend your bonus game by landing 2 or 3 FS Scatter symbols during it, which will award you with an additional +2 or +4 spins. If you’re lucky enough to land 4 FS Scatter symbols, you’ll not only get +4 extra spins but also upgrade to the Super Book of Stackways bonus game for even more exciting opportunities to win big.
Super Bonus
If you manage to land 4 FS Scatter symbols while playing the regular base game, it will also activate the Super Book of Stackways bonus game, and this time you’ll receive 10 free spins.
The Super Book of Stackways bonus game follows a similar pattern to the regular bonus game, but with a significant difference. Here, instead of just 2, 4 symbols are randomly chosen to serve as special symbols during the bonus round.
Just like before, these special symbols need to land on at least 3 reels to trigger the special feature. When this happens, the indicators located below the reels will light up, and the chosen symbols will stack, leading to payouts across all possible combinations.
To prolong your enjoyment of the bonus game, landing 2 or 3 FS Scatter symbols during it will grant you additional spins – either +2 or +4, respectively. These extra spins can further boost your chances of landing rewarding combinations and extending the excitement of the Super Book of Stackways bonus game.
Buy a bonus
The Buy Bonus feature in Benny The Beer is available to players in certain regions and offers the following options:
Bonus Hunt FeatureSpins (5 times more likely to trigger a bonus) – Costs 3 times your bet and has an RTP (Return to Player) of 96.39%.
Double Stack FeatureSpins (guarantees at least 2 Stackways symbols) – Costs 25 times your bet and has an RTP of 96.35%.
Triple Stack FeatureSpins (guarantees at least 3 Stackways symbols) – Costs 75 times your bet and has an RTP of 96.38%.
Book of Stackways – Costs 120 times your bet and has an RTP of 96.29%.
Super Book of Stackways – Costs 300 times your bet and has an RTP of 96.33%.
These Buy Bonus options allow players to pay a premium to increase their chances of triggering the game’s bonus features or to enter the lucrative Book of Stackways and Super Book of Stackways bonus games directly. Each option comes with its own cost and RTP, giving players the flexibility to choose the one that best suits their preferred playing style and risk tolerance.
Audio and music
The soundtrack of Benny the Beer complements the theme perfectly. The cheerful accordion music and the sound of clinking beer mugs create an authentic beer garden atmosphere. It’s a soundtrack that makes you want to raise a virtual glass and toast to each spin.
Payouts and volatility
While Benny the Beer offers exciting gameplay and enjoyable visuals, the game’s volatility is moderate, which means that wins can be less frequent compared to some other slots. However, when you do hit a winning combination, especially during the Free Spins round with multipliers, the payouts can be substantial. It’s a game that rewards patience and perseverance.
Verdict
Benny the Beer by Hacksaw Gaming is a unique and entertaining addition to the world of online slots. Its charming design, engaging gameplay features, and lively audio create an enjoyable gaming experience. In summary, Benny The Beer offers an enthralling gaming experience that combines eye-catching visuals with an abundance of features. The game stands out with its charming cartoon-style artwork and lovable characters that players will easily grow attached to.
When it comes to features, Benny The Beer doesn’t fall short, providing players with two main Bonus Rounds and the exciting comeback of the Stackways mechanism. This latest creation from Hacksaw Gaming is a title that’s hard to ignore and is sure to captivate both new and experienced players alike.
(Note: Gambling should be done responsibly, and players should be aware of the risks involved. It’s essential to set limits and play within your means.)
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