Join us in uncovering a magical slot adventure from the far east in our Lucky 88 slot review. The number 88 is in Chinese culture associated with good luck, health, and prosperity. So it comes as no surprise that many slots that follow the Chinese motif have 88 in their name, and Lucky 88 online slot by Australian developer Aristocrat is no different. The slot brings the company’s popular land-based game to online casinos.
Featuring 5 reels, 3 rows, and 25 paylines, the Lucky 88 slot has an Asian theme and is notable for its balanced gameplay. In the following Lucky 88 review, we will cover everything you need to know about this game, including its excellent multi-choice free spins feature. So, if you’re feeling lucky, join us for a few spins on the Lucky 88 reels!
- Provider: Aristocrat
- Release date: 2015
- Reels: 5
- Rows: 3
- Paylines: 25
- RTP: 96.6%
- Volatility: Medium
- Minimum bet: $0.25
- Maximum bet: $50
- Maximum win: 888x
Who Should Play Lucky 88
Lucky 88 is a very balanced game that mixes regular wins with decent potential. It is unlikely to appeal to high rollers as truly big payouts are rare. But for budget or casual players, Lucky 88 is ideal for long sessions that will not dig into your bankroll too much.
Lucky 88 Biggest Win
There is no official record of the absolute biggest win from the Lucky 88 slot, but the maximum payout is 888x your stake. Compared to a slot like the 5 Lions Megaways, the potential for big wins is on the lower side here.
How to Play Lucky 88
The Lucky 88 slot is a straightforward game that features 5 reels, 3 rows, and 25 paylines. You can start spinning the reels from $0.25 or risk more for bigger payouts with a maximum stake of $50. To win you’ll need to get between 3 and 5 matching symbols on a payline, landing from left to right.
Symbols and Payouts
In Lucky 88, Aristocrat combined standard slot symbols with icons that fit the Asian theme. So, the low-value symbols are bland looking 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A. As for high-paying symbols, they are drums, a tower, a totem, a crane, and a golden lion. Both the crane and the lion pay out up to 88x your stake for 5 of a kind.
There is also a symbol featuring the Emperor that acts as the wild and most powerful symbol. If 5 of them land on an active payline, any win comes with an 888x multiplier. Next is the Paper Lantern, which is the scatter symbol that opens the free spins feature with 3 of more symbols. The Scatter also pays out in the base game.
Below are the top payouts for each symbol:
Symbol | Payout |
9 | 2, 3, 4 or 5 = 2x, 5x, 18x, 48x |
10 | 3, 4 or 5 = 5x, 18x, 55x |
J | 3, 4 or 5 = 5x, 18x, 55x |
Q | 3, 4 or 5 = 5x, 18x, 55x |
K | 3, 4 or 5 = 5x, 38x, 68x |
A | 3, 4 or 5 = 8x, 38x, 68x |
Drums | 3, 4 or 5 = 8x, 48x, 78x |
Tower | 3, 4 or 5 = 8x, 48x, 78x |
Totem | 3, 4 or 5 = 0.75, 5 or 20 x stake |
Crane | 2, 3, 4 or 5 = 2x, 18x, 68x, 88x, |
Golden Lion | 2, 3, 4 or 5 = 2x, 18x, 68x, 88x, |
Emperor Wild | 2, 3, 4 or 5 = 8x, 188x, 388x, 888x |
Paper Lantern Scatter | 2, 3, 4 or 5 = 1x, 2x, 8x, 188x |
Lucky 88 on Mobile
If you prefer to play on mobile, Lucky 88 works without an issue. Whether you are on iOS or Android, you can play Lucky 88 for free or for real money. Because the game visuals are basic, there are no issues with performance on even budget smartphones.
Lucky 88 RTP, Payout, and Volatility
Lucky 88 provides a good balance that allows risk-and-reward betting or protecting a tight budget over longer sessions. With an RTP of 96.6%, there is a generous return to player average, and the medium volatility ensures a good mix of big win potential and regular smaller payouts. While high rolling to massive wins is not possible, Lucky 88 can still top out at 888x your stake.
Lucky 88 Bonus Features
Lucky 88 has a trio of features that enhance the overall gameplay during the base game and into the free spins bonus.
Extra Choice
On any spin, you can choose to spend 20% of your stake to open the extra choice feature. This modifier could possibly trigger the Dice feature or free spins bonus. Importantly, this feature is completely your choice, and you can choose not to use 20% of your bet.
Dice feature
You can only access the Dice feature from the Extra Choice option. It works as a side game where you get three rolls, and if an 8 lands, it gets locked in place. This continues until there are no 8s or all have landed. You will then receive a payout based on how many 8s the dice rolled.
Free spins
When you activate the free spins round (with 3 or more Lantern scatters), you can select which package to play with:
- 25 free spins with a 5x multiplier rising to 18x for a wild on a payline
- 15 free spins with an 8x multiplier rising to 30x for a wild on a payline
- 8 free spins with an 18x multiplier rising to 88x for a wild on a payline
- 4 free spins with an 88x multiplier
Graphics & Sound
Eastern charm defines the visual experience of playing the Lucky 88 slot. Consistent with its Asian theme, the game uses the number 88, which is considered lucky in Chinese culture, as 8 represents a focal point in the world of online slots.
The game is relatively simple in terms of design, including flat red and gold colours and big symbols with uncomplicated renders. It looks good overall, even if it does not match up to newer slots in the Asian culture genre.
Gameplay and Overall Experience
With a good gameplay balance, playing Lucky 88 is a pleasant experience. It may not move the needle for proper high rollers, but there is enough going on here to always make the slot interesting. Fans of Lucky 88 may also want to see Thunderstruck 2 and Siberian Storm.
Regular base game wins help to keep the excitement going but also to ensure your bankroll won’t take too much of a hit from low stakes. You can ramp up your wager each spin for more risk, and there is enough volatility here that sometimes you may need to be patient to unlock the free spins feature.
Our Own Gameplay Experience
During 100 spins on Lucky 88, we enjoyed how balanced the game was. Throughout our session, we never found ourselves down by much and eventually left with a profit.
- 100 spins at $3.00 per spin.
- Result: $42.70 profit
- Biggest wins: $102.70, $63.00, $21.00, $20.50
- Bonus triggers: 2
Playing Lucky 88 on Demo Mode
Ideally you should test the Lucky 88 slot before you spend your own money on the game. On the casino sites we recommend, you can play the Lucky 88 demo. You can practice the game and learn the best stake patterns without putting your own money on the line. While you will not be able to cash out your winnings, playing Lucky 88 free is an effective way to learn the game.
Playing Lucky 88 with Bonus Money
If you want to make a small deposit with an online casino, you can potentially claim bonus cash to pay the game for free. You will also be able to cash out your winnings when you meet the wagering requirements. You will be able to choose the game you use your bonus on instead of a game chosen by the casino, like free spins promos.
Play Lucky 88 for Real Money
Most online casinos – traditional money or crypto casinos – allow you to start playing real money games with a low deposit of $10. That amount can get you quite far on the Lucky 88 slot. Because the game works as a low-stakes slot, you can get plenty of spins from $10 if you bet low enough. Of course, you can increase your stake for fewer spins but potentially bigger rewards. When you deposit cash and play Lucky 88 for real money, you can cash out any winnings you make from the game.
Lucky 88 Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Choose the free spins package that suits you
- Free spins with multipliers
- Very balanced gameplay
- Roll the Dice side game
- Extra Choice feature
Cons:
- Not the best-looking Asian-themed slot
- Low maximum payout
Lucky 88 Summary
When so many slots these days are highly volatile, it is nice to sometimes settle down with a balanced game like Lucky 88. Thanks to a consistent base game and regularly occurring free spins features, the wins can flow. If you like to maintain a solid bankroll over a session, this game will not hit your budget too much.
The Extra Choice and Dice Roll features feel unnecessary at times, but at least they add some charm to the base game. Being able to choose the best free spins/multiplier package for you is the standout feature. If you are looking for a great Chinese-themed slot that will go easy on your bankroll and allow you to play for long durations with chances to win, take a spin on the Lucky 88 slot today!
Our Score: 4.3
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