Pros and Cons
- Interesting dog-themed pokie
- Unique free spins mechanic
- Bonus buy feature incorporated
Pros
- RTP below industry average
- Limited number of paylines
Cons
The Big Dawgs Pokie Review
The Big Dawgs from Pragmatic Play stands out as a unique addition to the world of themed pokies. It combines classic pokie mechanics with an original and engaging theme. Crafted by a team of skilled designers and developers, the goal was to create a game that isn’t just visually appealing, but also offers an enjoyable experience for players.
The game draws players in with its impressive visuals and sound design, essential to its overall story. Set in a whimsical world where dog characters take the lead, The Big Dawgs offers a refreshing and humorous take on pokie themes. The basic game concept was surely inspired by another canine-themed pokie, Top Dawgs, which was created by Relax Gaming.
The game’s urban-inspired soundtrack, with its catchy rhythms, further keep the Aussie players engaged in this experience.
From a technical standpoint, the pokie benefits from a cutting-edge platform. This foundation ensures smooth gameplay, with high-quality graphics and fluid animations, improving both the game’s beauty and the smoothness of the gambling experience.
How to Play The Big Dawgs
The game presents a 5×5 reel setup. It is adapted to a wide range of players with bet sizes that start from as low as $0.20 and extend up to $240. The game’s Return to Player (RTP) stands at 95.97%, paired with an impressive 2,304 ways to win.
High volatility is a defining characteristic of The Big Dawgs, suggesting that while wins may come less frequently than in lower volatility games, the rewards can be substantially larger when they do occur. The maximum payout in the game is 5,000 times the bet.
A key feature of this game is the Tumble Mechanism, similar to the one that can be found in the popular pokie Sweet Bonanza. Upon each spin, any winning symbols are removed from the reels, allowing the remaining symbols to fill the spaces. This tumbling continues until no further wins can be formed.
However, this pokie comes with a specific twist on the Tumble feature. The feature is linked to the game’s wild symbols through the Screen Clear Multiplier. When the screen is cleared of all symbols through tumbles, except wilds, which are unable to form wins on their own, a random multiplier (ranging from x2 to x5) is applied to the total winnings of that sequence. This multiplier increases the potential payout, particularly following a series of successful tumbles.
Basic Information
Pokie
The Big DawgsSoftware
Pragmatic PlayRelease Date
January 2024RTP
95.97%Volatility
HighMaximum Win
5,000xMin Bet
$0.20Max Bet
$240Payline
10Reels
5Jackpot
NoFree Spins
Yes
The Big Dawgs Pokie Symbols
The blend of street style and playful danger is key to the game’s concept of symbols. It employs a distinctive method for forming wins, with three or more matching symbols needing to be connected either vertically or horizontally anywhere on the grid. With this system, there are more opportunities to match winning symbols. Additionally, just like in other pokies online, there are symbols which bring both smaller and bigger payouts. It would be convenient to see what those symbols are.
Low-Payout Symbols
When it comes to the lower-paying symbols in The Big Dawgs, players in Australia will find a departure from the conventional. Instead of the usual playing card values like Jacks, Queens, Kings, and Aces, the game opts for symbols that are more aligned with its theme. These symbols include collars, knuckle dusters, baseball bats, tools, and hand grenades. This choice not only adds to the game’s thematic consistency but also brings a welcome touch of originality to the low-payout symbols.
High-Payout Symbols
These symbols feature various members of The Big Dawgs gang. Every dog character is distinct in appearance and framed in different colours including blue, purple, olive green, turquoise, and light green. Australian online gambling fans of real money pokies aim for these symbols, as they are the key to unlocking bigger wins.
Special Symbols
A key feature of the game is its use of Wild symbols. When players land a winning combination with any of the lower-paying symbols, a Wild symbol is left in its place. This Wild symbol then has the ability to substitute for other paying symbols, thereby increasing the chances of forming new winning combinations.
Symbols Paytable
Symbol | Payline | Maximum Payout |
Wild | x5 | x25 |
Dog in Light Green Frame | x5 | x25 |
Dog in Purple Frame | x5 | x20 |
Dog in Olive Green Frame | x5 | x15 |
Dog in Turquoise Frame | x5 | x12.5 |
Dog in Blue Frame | x5 | x10 |
Grenade | x5 | x5 |
Knuckle Dusters | x5 | x5 |
Baseball Bat | x5 | x2.5 |
Scissors | x5 | x2.5 |
Key Chain | x5 | x2.5 |
The Big Dawgs Pokie Bonuses
This pokie is elevated to a higher level by a thoughtfully designed bonus system, predominantly centred around free spins and wild symbols. Far from being mere supplementary elements, the bonus features are crafted to integrate perfectly with the gameplay, providing fresh opportunities for players to achieve success.
Free Spins Bonus Feature
Central to the bonus features in The Big Dawgs is the innovative free spins round, a gateway to potentially significant wins. The mechanism for triggering free spins in this game is both unique and engaging. The word Dawgs is found hidden behind the symbols on the reels, written both horizontally and vertically. As Australian players land winning combinations, the involved symbols vanish, revealing parts of the hidden word. To activate the Dirty Dawgs Free Spins, players need to clear either the horizontal or vertical word Dawgs. For the more elusive Double Dawgs Free Spins, both the horizontal and vertical words must be cleared.
Dirty Dawgs Free Spins
The Dirty Dawgs Free Spins round commences with 5 free spins, during which a cumulative multiplier is applied to all wins in the sequence. This multiplier starts at x1 and increases by one with each winning tumble. Notably, at the end of each free spin, the multiplier resets to x1. Additionally, if players reveal one of the DAWG words during this round, they are rewarded with a round of 5 additional free spins, which extends their chances of winning.
Double Dawgs Free Spins
The Double Dawgs Free Spins feature offers an upgraded version of the game’s free spins experience. In this round, players are awarded 10 free spins. Similar to the Dirty Dawgs Free Spins, the Double Dawgs round maintains the same fundamental rules, with one significant difference: the win multiplier does not lose its value at the end of each spin and does not reset. This small but impactful variation allows the multiplier to build up over consecutive spins, potentially leading to increasingly significant payouts as the round progresses.
Free Spins Bonus Buy
The Big Dawgs also offers a Bonus Buy option. This feature allows players to purchase a spin for the activation of the free spins round. To trigger the Dirty Dawg free spins, players can opt to buy a spin for 80 times their bet, with an RTP of 96%. Alternatively, for those seeking the heightened excitement of the Double Dawg free spins, a spin can be purchased for 250 times the bet, with an RTP of 95.95%.
Multi Wild
In addition to the regular Wilds, The Big Dawgs includes Multi Wild symbols. These are left behind when a winning combination is made with one of the high-paying dog symbols. Multi Wilds not only substitute for other paying symbols but also double the win, multiplying the payout by 2x.
Big Dawg Colossal Wilds
Another exciting aspect of the game is the inclusion of Big Dawg Colossal Wilds. These are oversized Wild symbols, either 2×2 or 3×3 in size, that can randomly land on the grid during any spin. The presence of these Colossal Wilds on the grid dramatically increases the possibility of creating multiple winning combinations, as they cover more positions and can replace several symbols at once.
The Big Dawgs: Unique Australian Canine Adventure
It’s evident that this pokie stands out with its inventive theme and compelling features. Set against a unique backdrop where charismatic dog characters rule, the game offers a refreshing divergence from typical pokie themes. The urban-style soundtrack enhances this setting, contributing to an excellent gambling experience.
Beyond its visual and auditory appeal, The Big Dawgs is enriched with engaging gameplay features. The inclusion of multipliers adds an extra layer of excitement, increasing the potential for significant wins. This, coupled with other dynamic elements such as free spins and special bonus rounds, ensures that players are constantly engaged.The game’s appeal is further bolstered by its user-friendly interface and smooth mechanics, which stands as a proof of Pragmatic Play’s advanced gambling platform.
Frequently asked questions
What is the theme of The Big Dawgs pokie?
The Big Dawgs is themed around a fictional urban world ruled by canine characters. The game combines street style with a playful atmosphere and an interesting soundtrack.
What are the betting options in the game?
Players can bet from $0.20 to $240 per spin. So, the game can be adjusted to all types of bettors, as the pokie has a wide betting span.
What makes The Big Dawgs unique in terms of gameplay?
The game features a unique mechanic where wins are formed by connecting symbols in vertical or horizontal lines, starting from any position on the grid. Also, the tumble winnings can be followed by the Screen Clear Multiplier which is aimed at boosting the value of wilds.
What is the RTP of The Big Dawgs?
The Return to Player (RTP) for The Big Dawgs is 95.97%. The RTP is below the industry average, so it is usually taken as the pokie’s drawback.
What are the special symbols in the game?
The structure of special symbols in the game is centred around the wild symbols. There are three types of wilds – regular Wilds, Multi Wilds, and Big Dawg Colossal Wilds.
How does the free spins feature work in this pokie?
Free spins are triggered by clearing the word Dawgs behind the symbols. Once the word is cleared, the free spins feature is activated. There are two types of free spins bonus features: Dirty Dawgs and Double Dawgs.
Can I buy a spin to trigger free spins in the game?
Yes, there is an option to buy a spin for triggering Dirty Dawg free spins at 80x the bet or Double Dawg free spins at 250x the bet.