Dead or Alive Slot Machine

If the bold characters of the Wild West captivate you, you will surely have a blast channeling your inner gunslinger in the thrilling slot game Dead or Alive.

Prepare yourself for a thrilling adventure into treacherous territory if you dare. Step into the heart of the action as you immerse yourself in the wild world of the early 1900s, a time of lawlessness. Amidst the chaos of a sketchy saloon filled with wanted posters, flowing whiskey, and the looming threat of gunfire, your bravery will be put to the test. But as a daring risk-taker, you’re ready to take your chances and embrace the excitement that awaits.

The popular phrase, “no risk, no reward,” implies that taking chances can lead to great success. Even though there may be a fear of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, your passion for adventure and drive for achievement indicate that you are actually in the perfect place at the perfect time. Perhaps today is the day you will emerge as a hero, apprehending the criminals and walking away with a significant amount of money.

Dead or Alive slot machine basics

Dead or Alive is a classic video slot game developed by the renowned slot developer, NetEnt. With five reels, three rows, and nine fixed paylines, this game is a timeless favorite among players.

It is uncommon to find a slot machine with only nine paylines in today’s gaming world. But don’t overlook the possibility of winning big or the thrill of playing. While Dead or Alive may not offer a progressive jackpot, its high return to player (RTP) rate is among the top in online slots. With a maximum payout of $100,000, the incentive to play should be just as enticing.

Upon logging in to the game on your computer or smartphone, you will be instantly captivated by the graphics. The Wild West springs to life with images of gun-toting cowboys, hats, boots, and “Wanted Dead or Alive” posters prominently displayed on the screen.

Most importantly, the chance to win big rewards, not just in the regular game, but also with exciting special features like free spins and sticky wilds that could result in larger payouts, will keep you hooked.

Although we can’t promise a win every time, this game provides entertaining gameplay regardless of the outcome. Additionally, you’ll be immersed in the exciting sounds of gunshots while spinning the reels.

Minimum and maximum bet size

The Dead or Alive casino game offers a minimum bet of 9 cents and a maximum bet of $18 per spin, making it ideal for players who enjoy small to medium stakes. Even those who prefer penny slots can enjoy this game for less than the price of a movie ticket. However, high rollers accustomed to betting $50 or more per spin may not find this game suitable for their preferences.

Whether you decide to wager the smallest amount, the largest amount, or something in the middle, all nine paylines will remain active at all times. Your bet can be customized within the range of 1 cent to 50 cents and levels 1-4 to better fit your personal preferences.

The NetEnt label: Your assurance of excellence

NetEnt, the creator of popular online slots like Dead or Alive, is known for offering a wide variety of themes to cater to all preferences. In addition, NetEnt slots are highly entertaining with exceptional graphics, cinematic sound effects, and popular special features that players love.

NetEnt slot games offer thrilling features such as wild symbols, scatter symbols, multipliers, and re-triggerable free spins bonus rounds that elevate the gaming experience. Additionally, every NetEnt slot game ensures a minimum return to player (RTP) of 96%. The RTP serves as a theoretical measure of a game’s overall performance over time, rather than predicting outcomes in individual sessions. It is recommended to choose games with higher RTPs, and seasoned players acknowledge that NetEnt slots are among the best options in the market.

Dead or Alive RTP and volatility

Exceptionally high RTP

A slot game with an RTP of 96% or higher indicates a player-friendly return rate. Dead or Alive stands out with an impressive RTP of 96.8%, making it a highly recommended choice due to its rarity of such a high return rate among online slots.

Can you really increase your chances of winning by playing Dead or Alive instead of another slot with a 96.0% RTP? The answer isn’t simple, as the game’s volatility level also has a large impact.

Watch out: The volatility level of Dead or Alive is also high

Gambling volatility refers to how often your bankroll experiences large fluctuations during gameplay, which can lead to wins, losses, or a combination of both.

Progressive jackpot slots often have a below-average RTP and higher volatility, yet players are still willing to take a chance in the hopes of winning a huge sum of money. While winning spins are necessary to keep players interested, they may not occur as often as expected, particularly those with large payouts. Players on a budget should be cautious as long stretches of non-winning spins are a distinct possibility.

Conversely, games with a high RTP typically have lower to moderate volatility. These games frequently offer payouts, and even during losing streaks, the losses are generally minimal.

While many high RTP slots may seem safe, some, like Dead or Alive, still have high volatility. It is recommended to play with smaller bets on this slot to minimize potential losses. Betting the maximum of $18 could lead to significant losses quickly, so it’s crucial to have a bankroll that can handle these swings.

Is Dead or Alive the right slot game choice for you?

This game’s high RTP and high volatility are a sharp contrast to Butterfly Staxx, a different NetEnt slot known for its 96.8% RTP and low volatility.

If you’re looking for a tranquil and calming slot game, Butterfly Staxx is the ideal choice. In contrast, Dead or Alive is brimming with tension and thrills, as the unpredictable Wild West setting adds to the excitement.

Dead or Alive symbols

All symbols in the Dead or Alive slot game perfectly fit the Wild West theme, even the playing cards. In this game, the playing cards make sense as they were frequently used for illicit gambling in Wild West saloons, mirroring the setting of this slot.

Regular symbols

Similar to other slot games, winning combinations are formed by aligning three or more identical symbols on consecutive reels, beginning from the reel on the left.

The standard symbols that pay lower include playing cards 10 through Ace.

The standard symbols with higher values are listed in decreasing order of their payouts as follows:

• Sheriff’s badge
• Holster with a gun
• 10-gallon hat
• Cowboy boots
• A shot of whiskey

The payouts for higher paying symbols vary greatly. For example, landing five sheriff’s badges will award 1,000 times your coin size multiplied by your bet level, while getting five whiskey glasses will only give you 200 times your coin size multiplied by your bet level.

Special symbols

Wild symbol

In the lawless Wild West world of Dead or Alive, players may come across a wild symbol represented by a wanted poster. If you land three, four, or five of these symbols on a payline, you will receive rewards of 25, 150, and 1,500 times your coin size multiplied by your bet level.

The wild symbol has the ability to substitute for all symbols with the exception of the scatter symbol in order to form new winning combinations or improve current ones.

Furthermore, any wild symbols that appear on the reels during the free spins bonus round will become sticky wilds.

Scatter symbol

The scatter symbol, depicted as a pair of crossed pistols, is the most lucrative symbol in the game. It stands out from the rest as it does not require a specific placement on consecutive reels starting from reel 1 to trigger a payout. Instead, landing just two scatter symbols anywhere on the reels is enough to secure a win.

If you get two scatter symbols, you will earn a payout that is double your bet, guaranteeing a profit. However, landing three, four, or five scatter symbols will result in higher payouts of 4x, 25x, or 2,500x your bet, respectively.

Additionally, if you land three or more scatter symbols, you will trigger the free spins bonus round discussed later in this game. This gives you the opportunity to win larger prizes if you’re fortunate.

Dead or Alive free spins bonus + sticky wilds

The game’s only bonus feature is triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols on the reels simultaneously. The bonus can be unpredictable, appearing early on or after a long period of gameplay, or it may not show up at all during a session.

You are likely to see two scatter symbols land often, but the third, fourth, or fifth symbols you are hoping for may not appear. Despite this, you can still receive a small payout of 2 times your bet as a consolation prize.

On the other hand, if three or more scatter symbols are present, you will be awarded 12 free spins with a 2x multiplier.

Prizes for winning combinations in free spins will be given according to the coin size and bet level of the triggering spin.

In free spins mode, any wanted poster wild symbol that shows up will turn into a sticky wild and remain in position for the duration of the free spins. If a wild symbol lands on all five reels, you’ll receive five additional free spins along with five sticky wilds.

Furthermore, should three or more scatter symbols appear again during the free spins, the bonus round will be triggered once more, awarding an extra 12 free spins. Any sticky wilds from the initial free spins will remain in place throughout the retriggered free spins.

How I fared playing Dead or Alive in demo mode

Here are the results of playing Dead or Alive in demo mode for three rounds. The first two rounds had a simulated bet of $9 per spin, and the third round had a simulated bet of $18 per spin.

Session 1: -$7

I began wagering at Level 2 with a coin denomination of 50 cents, resulting in a $9 total bet per spin. Despite starting off $243 in the red, I managed to win $36 and activate 12 free spins. Throughout the free spins, I scored five sticky wilds, two on reel two and three on reel four. Nonetheless, my total earnings from the free spins came to just $200. Once the bonus round concluded and I was nearly back to square one, I chose to conclude the session.

Session 2: -$450

This session shows the possible results of playing a high variance slot game. Despite maintaining my bet size from the last session, I didn’t achieve any big wins in the base game. Instead, I saw my bankroll decrease without ever triggering the free spins feature by landing three scatter symbols.

Session 3: +$188

Despite starting with a $400 loss after betting $18 per spin at level 4 with a 50 cent coin size, I managed to trigger 12 free spins by getting three scatter symbols. I started the free spins with a $314 deficit, but ended up winning $156 with one sticky wild. After the free spins, I was down $158. However, I won $346 on a single spin in the base game, putting me ahead by $188 in the end.

The bottom line

When playing Dead or Alive, remember that the game has an RTP of 96.8%. Because of its high variance, you may encounter several losing spins before the impact of the high RTP becomes apparent.

Therefore, it is essential to have a sufficient amount of ammunition to keep playing, with the goal of triggering the free spins bonus round or winning a big payout in the base game before the game’s slight edge and unpredictable results work against you. However, the drawback is that as you wait for a positive result, your balance could take a major hit.

One of the standout qualities of Dead or Alive is that even with small payouts, landing just two scatter symbols on the reels will still result in a payout. If you manage to land three, four, or five scatter symbols, the payouts increase even more, with a minimum of three needed to activate the free spins bonus round. Even just two scatter symbols will result in doubling your initial stake, ensuring that you receive a return on your bet. For instance, if you wager $18 and land two scatter symbols, you will receive $36 in winnings. Overall, it’s a great deal for players.

Just like in other slot games, the volume of the music increases when the first two scatter symbols show up on the reels. You eagerly anticipate the third symbol to determine if you will win. Even if it doesn’t appear often, you are still rewarded with a pleasing payout, rather than feeling let down.

Dead or Alive continues to be a top choice for online slot enthusiasts, capturing players’ interest since its launch in 2013. If you’re looking for more excitement and rewards, give Dead or Alive 2 a try – the sequel offers extra bonus features to elevate your gaming experience.