9 Pots of Gold Slot: Overview

Microgaming partner studio Gameburger Studios returns to drop their third release 9 Pots of Gold. Building on the success of their previous slot 9 Masks of Fire comes a math clone that uses all of the same features and figures that resonated with enough players to warrant a remake. 9 Masks of Fire had a tribal, African vibe while 9 Pots of Gold uses that perennial favourite – the jolly Irish /Leprechaun theme. It has been timed to perfection too, scheduled for release around St Patrick's Day. Leprechauns are full of personality, and 9 Pots provides even more by naming its central character. Known as Lucky Lad Flynn, the sunglasses-wearing rapscallion is apparently the 'richest in the land.' What's the chance he is going to share some of those riches?

Where 9 Masks went with a red and gold colour scheme, 9 Pots goes all-out Irish with green and gold and a shower of shamrocks. The 5 reel, 3 row, 20 payline grid takes up most of the space, but the ascending scatter prizes sit on the left-hand side tempting players to have a crack. To do so requires setting stakes, which start at 20 p/c and go as high as $/€60 a spin. This being a clone, we get the same stats out of the game's math model. That means an RTP rating of 96.24% along with medium volatility. One of 9 Masks’ drawcards was its relatively high hit rate of 39.75% which has also crossed over to 9 Pots of Gold.

The symbols are all pretty much clichés of the genre and classic slots in general. In ascending order are a BAR, a shamrock, a leprechaun top hat, and a Celtic harp. The next three are '7s', and there are a single 7s, double 7s, and triple 7 symbols. The most valuable are the triple 7s at 37.5 times the stake but players can also score winners when mixes of 7s land. For example, you could have 2 double 7s and a triple 7 on a payline to trigger a payout. The pay symbols are all designed in a pleasant green colour, while the wild is a vibrant mushroom icon. It can substitute for any symbol except the free spins or pot symbols. The wild is also worth more than the triple 7s, and five of them return 125 times the stake.

9 Pots of Gold Slot: Features

9 Pots of Gold comes with two additional features. The first we'll cover is the Free Spins bonus round which comes into play when 3 or more scatter symbols land - they land on reels 2, 3, and 4 reels and 3 award a spin of the Free Spin Wheel. The Free Spin Wheel is separated into segments which have 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, or 30 free spins on them. Each segment comes with an x2 multiplier, except the 25 and 30 free spin segments which have an x3 multiplier. Scatters continue to land during free spins, and if three land they retrigger the initial number of free spins again.

9 Pots of Gold's other key selling point is the scatter win feature called the Pot Pays. Whenever 3 or more pot scatter symbols land, they award an instant cash prize. The prizes on offer are 1x, 5x, 15x, 40x, 100x, 500x, and 2,000x the stake when 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 pot symbols land. Keep in mind that pot symbol wins during free spins do not have the multiplier applied to the amount.

9 Pots of Gold Slot: Verdict

Like most clones, whatever you thought of the original will more or less be what you think of the follow-up. 9 Masks of Fire proved to be a fairly popular slot for Gameburger and its Celtic clone shares most of the same positive points. For one, it has bright visuals with hints of culture that produce a pleasing, and inviting look. Once the getting to know you phase has passed, there are a few things that keep players spinning. One is its high hit rate which provides constant payouts, and the second is the lure of that 2,000x jackpot prize for landing 9 scatters. Even if the top prize isn't struck, scatters provide smaller prizes to keep bankrolls ticking over.

In short, its math model is designed to keep a certain type of player engaged. The concern for more dedicated gamblers is that despite the Pot Pays prize; it's not exactly a mega paying slot. Nor, with its medium volatility, is it seat of your pants exciting. But to be fair, 9 Pots doesn't shoot for that angle. It's happy to entertain a more laid back casual style of gaming. In that regards there is no reason why 9 Pots won't be as successful as the original slot was.

One possible drawback is that 9 Pots is not as exotic as 9 Masks. This is due largely to the vast crowd of Irish themed slots out there. Something in abundance is never quite so desirable. Then again, plenty of players go for the Irish/Leprechaun thing so in that regard 9 Pots could be even more popular. For huge stakes and massive thrills, 9 Pots of Gold will struggle to fit the bill. But, all the elements are here to make it as popular as 9 Masks of Fire. The fact that 9 Pots of Gold it's not a high volatile roller coaster is unlikely to stop it from being an attractive proposal for many gamblers.