Black Bull Review
Black Bull is a classic Prairie-themed slot from masters of the genre, Pragmatic Play. It runs with 5 reels, 4 rows and 20 fixed paylines and a top payout of 4,500x. Look out for Money Symbols that combine values and payout when Wilds land at the same time. A progressive prize feature comes into play in the free spins round where the wins can really pick up. Entertaining but high variance!
Name: Black Bull
Developer: Pragmatic Play
Paylines: 20
Reels: 5
Rows: 4
RTP: 96.51%
Variance: High
Top Payout: 4,500x
ABOUT THIS SLOT
Pragmatic Play do what they do best in this classic video slot with a five reels, four rows and 20 fixed paylines. It stands in similar ground to slots like Bronco Spirit, Wild West Gold and Mustang Gold, steeped in the iconography and scenery of the mid-west, with sweeping plains, rocky canyons, panoramic skylines and wild animals providing the backdrop to a reel set made of wood and lashed together with ropes – the old-fashioned way! If John Wayne was to stroll across the set at any point, we wouldn’t be at all surprised!
The features are relatively simple – there are standard pays, and then wins triggered by a mix of fixed value money symbols and wilds- but things get significantly more interesting in the bonus round where a progressive game feature comes into play as we shall see.
With the scene set, and a rocking and rolling soundtrack getting us in the mood, let’s check out some of the finer details of Black Bull.
The game hits Canadian online slots casinos in August 2022.
RTP, VARIANCE AND PAYOUTS
Let’s be clear. The maths model on Black Bull is not too kind and is likely to make playing the game something akin to taking a kicking from one at some points, with a rare rest when the progressive prize engine kicks in in your favour in the bonus round. It’s going to be gruelling stuff no doubt. By their own reckoning, Pragmatic Play makes this a 4/5 volatility, which is close to the max of course and means tough times ahead!
That said, the RTP suggests good value. It is variable, dependent on operator and territory. It ranges from 94.24% to 96.51%. Needless to say the latter is preferable. We recommend you check the game info screen to find out which setting your casino is using.
The max win is a somewhat underwhelming 4,500x. Compare that to any high variance Big Time Gaming slot for example and you’ll know what we mean. In this era, any max win of less than 10,000x seems unappealing.
Stakes start at 20c per spin and max out at $100 per spin making this suitable for both casual slots fans and high rollers.
SYMBOLS AND PAYTABLE
This is very much a traditional slot of the kind we have become accustomed to by Pragmatic Play with graphics that have a familiar feel to them. The basic symbols are made up of low value ones from Jack through to Ace worth up to a maximum of 2x for 5 on payline, and premiums that depict a weird mix of classic US iconography and somewhat out of place animals: lizards (?), wolves, eagles and the highest paying Black Bull. The latter is worth just 25x for five on a line.
You’ll also see Wilds and Money Symbols which are central to the mechanic of Black Bull.
GAMEPLAY AND FEATURES
Pragmatic have kept things relatively simple in Black Bull. Outside the basic gameplay are just two headline features.
Wilds – These have a dual purpose in Black Bull. Firstly, they sub for all other symbols to create win lines and deliver a 25x for FIVE on a payline. But they also do this …
Money Symbol and Wild Combinations – Look out for these 2 landing together. When the money symbols land they display a prize of 0.5x to 50x. BUT you’ll need Wilds to land at the same time to unlock those prizes.
ALL the money symbols values are collected for EACH Wild on the board. So if there are 3 wilds, you’ll get 3x the value of ALL the money symbols.
Free Spins – there is plenty to get excited about in the free spins round here as it comes with a progressive prize feature that has big potential. The money symbols do the job of scatters as follows:
6 to 11 money symbols – 6 free spins
12 to 17 money symbols – 8 free spins
18 to 20 money symbols – 10 free spins
Before your spins begin the collective values of ALL the money symbols in view are collected and make up the progressive prize value for the round. Now, when more money symbols land, their values are added to the total progressive too.
Then … EVERY wild that lands during the free spins will award the total current progressive prize.
PLUS … EVERY SIXTH money symbol to drop gets you 2 extra spins.
Bonus Buys – But you don’t have to wait for the six money symbols to land. Instead
you can buy into the free spins round at a cost of 75x. In this instance, you’ll play at an enhanced RTP of 96.69%.
OUR VERDICT
Black Bull is the kind of slot that will appeal to a certain kind of player. It has a certain conservative, old skool American feel to it and it follows a very familiar style to others in the Pragmatic library. For some players, that will be a good thing, but with the vast array of new slots from innovative studios like No Limit City and Relax Gaming on the market, it’s hard not to think that there are many who will be turning their backs on the old way and the audience for slots like this might be diminishing.
The gameplay is pretty middle of the road – the mix of money symbols and wilds is quite fun, but not original, and with slots like Money Train taking that mechanic to the next level, it looks pretty tired. Credit to Pragmatic for adding the progressive feature in the free spins round, but it wasn’t really enough to keep us interested unfortunately. If they to payout had been dialled up to 10,000x then we may have changed our minds of course …
Over to you to decide!
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