Big Bass Bonanza has become one of the most recognisable slot games in the online casino world. Developed by Pragmatic Play and released in 2020, it’s a fishing-themed slot that took the market by storm with its simple but addictive gameplay and the potential for massive wins during the free spins round. If you’re looking to play Big Bass Bonanza at a casino not on GamStop, you’ve got plenty of options.
The game’s popularity has spawned an entire franchise — Big Bass Splash, Bigger Bass Bonanza, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, and several others. But the original remains a firm favourite among slot players for good reason. It’s straightforward, high-volatility, and when those fisherman wilds start collecting money symbols during free spins, the results can be spectacular.
How Big Bass Bonanza Works
Big Bass Bonanza uses a 5-reel, 3-row layout with 10 fixed paylines. It’s a simple setup that keeps the action focused. The RTP sits at 96.71% in most configurations, which is above average for a Pragmatic Play slot, and the volatility is rated as high — meaning wins come less frequently but tend to be larger when they do arrive.
The betting range runs from £0.10 to £250 per spin, making it accessible to players of all budgets. The maximum win potential is 2,100x your stake, which isn’t the highest in the Pragmatic Play catalogue but is certainly respectable for a game with this level of popularity.
Symbols and Payouts
The lower-value symbols are playing card values (10, J, Q, K, A), while the premium symbols are various fish species. The bigger the fish, the bigger the payout. The wild symbol is the Big Bass Bonanza logo, and the scatter is a fishing tackle box that triggers the free spins feature.
Money symbols (fish with cash values attached) also appear on the reels. During the base game, these don’t do much — but during free spins, they become the key to big wins.
The Free Spins Feature
Landing 3 or more scatter symbols triggers 10 free spins (3 scatters), 15 free spins (4 scatters), or 20 free spins (5 scatters). This is where Big Bass Bonanza really comes alive.
During free spins, a fisherman wild symbol can appear on reel 3. When it lands, it collects the values of all money fish symbols visible on the reels. If you retrigger free spins, the fisherman wild upgrades — it can appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, and its multiplier increases from 1x to 2x and then 3x.
This cascading upgrade mechanic is what gives Big Bass Bonanza its explosive win potential. A fully upgraded fisherman collecting multiple high-value money symbols can produce wins of 1,000x+ in a single spin.
Where to Play Big Bass Bonanza Not on GamStop
Pragmatic Play supplies games to most major non-GamStop casinos, so you won’t struggle to find Big Bass Bonanza. Here are the best options:
Freshbet Casino — Full Pragmatic Play catalogue including all Big Bass variants. Good welcome bonus with reasonable wagering requirements.
Velobet Casino — Excellent slot selection with fast loading times. Offers the Big Bass series alongside thousands of other titles.
MyStake Casino — Popular choice for slot players with generous promotions. All Big Bass games available in both real money and demo mode.
Rolletto Casino — Multi-provider casino with the full Pragmatic Play portfolio. Supports crypto deposits for fast funding.
Big Bass Bonanza vs Other Slots in the Series
The Big Bass franchise has expanded significantly since the original launched. Here’s how the main variants compare:
Bigger Bass Bonanza — Same core mechanics but with 12 paylines instead of 10, higher max win (4,000x), and the fisherman can appear from the start of free spins rather than needing a retrigger to upgrade.
Big Bass Splash — Adds a wheel bonus that can award instant prizes, multipliers, or free spins. Maximum win increased to 5,000x.
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways — Uses the Megaways engine with up to 46,656 ways to win. Higher volatility and a maximum win of 5,000x.
Christmas Big Bass Bonanza — Festive reskin with identical mechanics to the original. Same RTP and max win.
The original remains popular because of its simplicity. The newer variants add complexity that some players enjoy, but if you want the pure Big Bass experience without bells and whistles, the original is still the best choice.
Tips for Playing Big Bass Bonanza
Big Bass Bonanza is a high-volatility slot, which means you need to manage your bankroll carefully. Here are some practical tips:
Budget for at least 200 spins. With high volatility, you might go 100+ spins without a significant win. If your bankroll only covers 50 spins, you might bust before the free spins feature triggers.
Use the demo mode first. Most non-GamStop casinos offer a free play version. Use it to understand the game’s rhythm and volatility before committing real money.
Don’t chase the feature. The free spins round is where the big wins happen, but it triggers randomly. Increasing your bet size to “force” a trigger is a recipe for burning through your bankroll faster.
Set a win target. If you hit a big win during free spins (500x+), consider cashing out or at least reducing your bet size. Big wins in high-volatility slots are rare — protect them when they happen.
For more slot recommendations, check out our guides to Wolf Gold Not on GamStop and Gates of Olympus Not on GamStop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Big Bass Bonanza?
The default RTP is 96.71%, though some casinos may use a lower configuration. Check the game info screen before playing to confirm the RTP at your chosen casino.
Can I play Big Bass Bonanza for free?
Yes, most non-GamStop casinos offer a demo mode where you can play with virtual credits. This is a good way to learn the game mechanics before wagering real money.
What’s the maximum win on Big Bass Bonanza?
The maximum win is 2,100x your total stake. On a £5 bet, that’s £10,500. The newer variants in the series offer higher max wins (up to 5,000x).
How often do free spins trigger?
As a high-volatility slot, the free spins feature doesn’t trigger frequently — roughly once every 150-200 spins on average, though this varies significantly due to randomness.