Of course. The “Book of Aztec” slot by Pragmatic Play is a popular game, and its **Bonus Buy** feature is a key part of its appeal for many players. Here’s a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about it.
### **The Base Game & The “Book” Symbol**
* **Theme:** Ancient Aztec civilization, exploring temples for hidden treasures.
* **Reels:** 5 reels, 3 rows, 10 fixed paylines (wins from left to right).
* **Special Symbol:** The **Book of Aztec** acts as both the **Scatter** and the **Wild**.
* **Scatter:** Landing 3 or more Books anywhere on the reels triggers the Free Spins feature.
* **Wild:** During the base game and free spins, the Book can expand to cover an entire reel.
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### **The Free Spins Feature (The Main Event)**
When you trigger free spins (3+ Books):
1. **Special Expanding Symbol:** One regular symbol (e.g., a mask, a statue, a gem) is randomly chosen **before the round begins**. This symbol becomes the “Special Expanding Symbol.”
2. **10 Free Spins:** You are awarded 10 free spins.
3. **How it Works:** During the free spins, if **3 or more** of the chosen Special Symbols land, they will **expand to cover their entire reel**. This expansion can lead to multiple reels being covered simultaneously, creating huge win potential.
4. **Retriggers:** Landing 3 or more Scatter Books during the free spins awards an **additional 10 free spins**.
**The Key to Big Wins:** The potential lies in which symbol is chosen. A high-paying symbol (like the Gold Mask or the Idol) expanding across multiple reels can result in wins of **5,000x your bet or more**.
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### **The Bonus Buy Feature**
This allows you to skip the base game and purchase direct entry into the Free Spins feature.
#### **1. Standard Bonus Buy (Cost: 100x your current bet)**
* You pay **100 times your total bet**.
* You are guaranteed to trigger the Free Spins round with **3, 4, or 5 Scatter Books**.
* **The Catch:** The Special Expanding Symbol is chosen **randomly** from all regular symbols. You have an equal chance of getting the low-paying card symbol (A, K, Q, J, 10) or the highest-paying Gold Mask.
#### **2. **Feature Buy “Enhancements” (Available in some jurisdictions)**
Pragmatic Play often offers upgraded, more expensive Bonus Buys. For Book of Aztec, the common enhanced buy is:
* **Bonus Buy with **Special Symbol Choice** (Cost: 500x your current bet)**
* This is the **premium option**.
* You pay **500 times your total bet**.
* You get to **CHOOSE** which symbol will be the Special Expanding Symbol for the upcoming free spins round.
* **Strategy:** Players always choose the **highest-paying symbol** (the Gold Mask) to maximize potential.
**Example:** If your bet is $1.00.
* Standard Bonus Buy costs **$100**.
* Enhanced Bonus Buy (choose symbol) costs **$500**.
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### **Pros and Cons of Using the Bonus Buy**
**Pros:**
* **Instant Access:** Skip the waiting and go straight to the exciting part.
* **Higher Volatility Play:** It’s designed for players seeking the big win potential of the free spins round.
* **Control (with 500x buy):** The ability to choose the expanding symbol significantly increases the expected value and your chance at a monster win.
**Cons:**
* **Extremely High Cost:** 100x or 500x your bet is a massive upfront cost. A short streak of failed bonuses can deplete your bankroll quickly.
* **High Variance:** Even with the chosen symbol, you may not land enough expanding symbols during the 10 spins to create a significant win. You can easily get 10 dead spins.
* **House Edge Impact:** While the RTP (Return to Player) of the main game is typically **96.52%**, using the Bonus Buy often has a **slightly lower RTP** (usually around 96.00% – 96.50% for the standard buy). Always check the game’s paytable in your jurisdiction for the exact Bonus Buy RTP.
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### **Strategy & Tips**
1. **Bankroll is King:** Only use the Bonus Buy if your bankroll can comfortably handle the high cost. Betting $1 and paying $500 for a feature is extreme.
2. **Understand the Math:** The 500x buy is mathematically better if you can afford it, as you eliminate the risk of a low-paying symbol.
3. **It’s Still a Lottery:** Remember, even with the perfect symbol chosen, the outcome is random. There is no skill involved in the spins themselves.
4. **Check Local Laws:** Bonus Buy features are **restricted or banned** in some countries (like the UK).
5. **Play for Fun First:** Try the game in demo mode to understand the rhythm and variance before considering real-money Bonus Buys.
### **Summary**
The **Book of Aztec Bonus Buy** is a high-risk, high-reward mechanic for players who want to chase the game’s maximum win potential (which can exceed 10,000x your bet in the free spins). The **500x “choose your symbol” option** is the strategic choice for serious chasers, but it requires a very large and resilient bankroll. Always gamble responsibly and view it as paying for entertainment, not a guaranteed investment.