Gerard’s Gambit

More oftentimes than not, I find myself spinning through video slots with barely any noticeable differences, games that make minuscule changes and get repackaged as new releases. But now and again, I stumble upon new releases that push the formula, the sort of games that push the video slot recipe further, delivering original and innovative experiences that stand out in a sea of identical slots.

That’s why I was so excited to experience Play’n Go’s Gerard’s Gambit, a video slot that promises to shake things up with a progression system that sees you levelling your reels up, adding in new features, symbols, and potential payouts along the way. The provider packages the slot’s many features in an impressive visual spectacle that introduces Gerard himself and has us following him on his adventures around the globe. I’d describe it as a treasure-hunter theme of sorts, with a protagonist who looks like an elderly Indiana Jones who still hasn’t had enough adventure.

So, strap yourselves in and get ready to learn all you need to know about this fresh experience, in my Gerard’s Gambit review below.

⚡ RTP	96.20% | 94.20% | 91.20% | 87.20% | 84.20%
🎲 Volatility	Medium
💰 Paylines	10
🔼 Maximum Bet	100
🔻 Minimum Bet	0.05
⭐ Bonus Features	Wilds, Respins, Bonus symbols, Free Spins, Gamble Feature

Gerard’s Gambit Slot Game Free Demo

With a game like Gerard’s Gambit, you’ll want to try out the free demo. Play’n Go have gone for a very experimental format here, a new structure that can feel odd for even the most experienced video slot players. It’s not that there are any strategies that you can learn, but I found it helpful to have first explored the game and all its quirks in the comfort of a free demo before trying the game out for real.

Pro Tips:

Although it starts with barely any features to speak of, Gerard’s Gambit allows you to progress through 10 levels, adding new mechanics along the way. I recommend pacing yourself during the initial rounds, selecting a smaller bet level that will see you through as you progress to the higher levels. Increase your wager on levels four, five and six, when respins, bonus symbols and respins finally come into play. Increase your bets again on levels seven and nine, where bonus symbols can award you 60x and 100x your stake respectively.

Gerard’s Gambit isn’t your typical video slot, so make sure to read through the pay table and game information thoroughly before playing.

Gerard’s Gambit Slot Bonus Features

I’m always on the lookout for games that push the boundaries of video slots further, creating fresh experiences that are thinking outside the box. Granted, some people might prefer a more traditional time on the reels, but without this level of bold experimentation, we’d simply end up rehashing everything we’ve already experienced time and time again.

This is why I was so pleasantly surprised to see what Play’n Go has put together with Gerard’s Gambit. On pen and paper, you get familiar features like wilds, respins, scatters, free spins, bonus symbols and win multipliers. But it’s the sense of progression that Play’n Go have created here which stands out.

You start with a three-reel, single-payline setup with zero special features. But as you complete missions, such as accumulating three wins, you advance to the next level. As you progress, the board itself expands and can reach a maximum of five reels and three rows, with 10 paylines. Symbols and their payouts change with each level too, with more high-paying symbols being added whenever you reach a new tier.

Play’n Go has even thrown in three gamble features that can effectively double every win you land. But more on that and all the other Gerard’s Gambit slot features, below.

Wilds

Wild symbols are central to the progression in Gerard’s Gambit. Initially introduced in level two, they simply step in for missing pay symbols that could form part of a winning combination. But their value increases when respins and free spins come into play. Wild symbols become sticky for the duration of both these bonus modes, which are added on levels three and six respectively. You’ll also need to land two or more wild symbols to activate respins.

The sticky wilds went a long way to landing big wins during free spins, and at one point I even had six sticky wilds which significantly boosted my wins. They’re given yet another push when you finally reach level ten. At this point, wild symbols expand to cover their entire reel, increasing the odds of landing a win and delivering some of the best wins in the entire game.

Scatter symbol

Scatters are your way into free spins. They first come into play during level six, landing on reel two, with only one symbol needed to activate five free spins. Once you reach level eight, scatter symbols start landing on reels two and three, but this time round you’ll need two scatters to activate free spins. They make a similar return in level ten, landing on reels two, three and four and free spins require three total scatters to activate instead. Whenever they land during the free spins bonus, they add one more bonus round to your tally.

Free Spins / Respins

Gerard’s Gambit comes with both respins and free spins. Respins first appear during level three and can be activated when you land two or more wild symbols. Wild symbols remain sticky for the duration of respins. They remain consistently present up to level ten and you can continue having consecutive respins as long as you keep landing new wild symbols.

On the other hand, free spins only show up on levels six, eight and ten. They’re activated using scatter symbols and you’ll always be starting with an initial five free spins. These can be increased by one for every scatter symbol you land during free spins. Wild symbols are also sticky during free spins.

Gamble Feature

If you’re not particularly happy with your win for any given round, you can opt for the gamble feature for the chance of doubling its value. Play’n Go has put in three different gamble features but be aware that although these features can end up being quite profitable, you might very well end up losing an entire round’s winnings.

• Coin Flip – Guessing if a coin flip will land on heads or tails will double your win. You can use this up to three times on the same set of winnings, allowing you to get up to 8x the value of your original win.
• Multiplier Wheel – A wheel spins and could potentially award you with multipliers of 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x and 10x.
• Hi-Lo – You’re presented with an initial card and then need to guess if the following card will be higher or lower. Successful guesses will effectively double your win and you can use this gamble twice on any given round.

RTP & Volatility of Gerard’s Gambit Slot

While I’m impressed with the experimental structure that Play’n Go has used for Gerard’s Gambit, I’m less excited about the slot’s math model. The game has a medium level of volatility, which works just well for casual players but could very easily deter hardcore gamblers. Gerard’s Gambit also comes with six distinct RTP levels, with the highest being 96.20%. Be sure to always pick the version with the highest RTP to make sure you get the best odds of success. Perhaps the most disappointing thing here is the relatively low maximum win prize, which caps your stake at just 3,000x.

Now, Play’n Go is a renowned and trusted game provider, so you can rest assured that Gerard’s Gambit is a safe game to play. But just to be clear, I always recommend playing your online casino games at regulated sites with strong gaming licenses like the UKGC and MGA. It guarantees the highest levels of fairness and safety for all the games you play.

Gerard’s Gambit Slot on Mobile

Gerard’s expedition around the world can be enjoyed from the comfort of your mobile device thanks to the game’s full compatibility with both Android and iOS systems. The mobile version adapts well to smaller screens, intuitively moving functions around to favour touchscreen users. You also get the exact set of features and functionality here, so the experience remains identical across both desktop and mobile devices.

Conclusion

Gerard’s Gambit is one of those slots that can very easily divide players. Those looking for a more innovative experimental experience that pushes the genre in a new direction will have a field day here. The level system works well, offering a mix of features that create a sense of progression along the way. I’m all for it and loved the feeling of completing objectives to progress further and unlock new mechanics.

But some hardcore players who are looking for a more traditional, highly volatile experience will want to stir clear of this alternative video slot. The new structure can take quite a bit of getting used to and the maximum win of 3,000x may not be worth the hassle for some experienced players.