
Payout % : 96.71
Reels : 5
Paylines : 10
Jackpot : 525000
Min. Bet : 0.1
Max. Bet : 250
Christmas Big Bass Bonanza Free Play and Full Review
Game info
Released at December 02, 2021
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Game Type Pokies -
Max Win 2,100x -
Payout % 96.71
Features
- Theme: Classic Big Bass gameplay reskinned with Christmas visuals
- RTP: Up to to 96.71%
- Max Win: Top payout capped at 2,100x your stake
- Bonus: Free spins retrigger with every 4 wilds, up to 3 times, multipliers reach 10x
- Bet Range: Stakes from $0.10 up to $250 per spin
If you’ve played any of the Big Bass Bonanza slots before, you’ll know exactly what to expect here – except now, it’s all wrapped up in Christmas lights and icy reels. I’ve spent a fair chunk of December spinning Christmas Big Bass Bonanza, and honestly, it’s like putting on a cheesy Christmas sweater: familiar, a little silly, and somehow still a good time. Pragmatic Play basically took their classic fishing slot and gave it a festive coat of paint. If you’re here for surprises, you might want to lower your expectations – but if you just want holiday-themed reels, let’s get into it.
Under the hood, it’s the same deal: 5 reels, 3 rows, 10 fixed paylines. There’s no learning curve if you’ve played the original. The Christmas touches are fun, fish with Santa hats, baubles everywhere, and a soundtrack that’ll have you humming along or reaching for the mute button depending on your mood (I’ll be honest, I usually mute it after a while).
Table Of Contents
Game Specs That Actually Matter
Let’s skip the filler and talk about what you’ll actually notice as a player. Here’s how it stacks up when I tested it:
- RTP: 96.71%. Pretty solid
- Volatility: Medium to high. You’ll get some dead spins, but the wins can hit hard when they land. I had stretches where nothing happened, then suddenly hit a nice 120x win in the bonus.
- Max Win: 2,100x your stake. Not the craziest in the series, but enough to make things exciting. If you’re here for mega wins, there are better options.
- Bet Range: $0.10 to $250 per spin. I found the sweet spot at $0.50 for casual sessions without burning through my balance too fast.
- Paylines: 10 lines, fixed, so don’t bother looking for settings to change them.
- Devices: Works well on desktop, phone, and tablet. I tried it on an old Android and a newer iPhone and didn’t notice any lag or weird scaling issues.
Visuals & Sound: Festive or Just Gimmicky?
The Christmas theme is laid on thick, but in a charming way. You’ve got your icy background, snow-dusted reels, and enough baubles to make your grandma jealous. Personally, I liked the silly touches, fish in Santa hats never gets old, but I get that some people might find it too much after a while. The soundtrack is pure Christmas arcade: upbeat, catchy, and, depending on my mood, either fun or a little much. I usually play with the music for a bit, then mute it after a few rounds. If you’re not in a festive mood, this slot will remind you that it’s December every single spin.
Symbols & Payouts
The symbols are a mix of the usual Big Bass suspects, card values for the low pays (10 through A), and the premium icons like tackle boxes, sledges, and rods, all decked out for Christmas. The green bauble is your top symbol, paying up to 200x for five of a kind. Santa only shows up as a wild during free spins, and the scatter is a leaping fish in a Santa hat (yep, it’s as goofy as it sounds).

Free Spins: Where the Real Action Happens
Let’s be honest—the base game is just a warm-up. The free spins round is what everyone’s chasing here. Land 3, 4, or 5 scatters and you’ll get 10, 15, or 20 free spins. I’ve hit it with both 3 and 4 scatters, but never snagged all five (still waiting on that Christmas miracle).
- Wilds and money symbols on the same spin get collected and paid out at the end of the round. Sometimes you get a load of fish, sometimes you get a lump of coal.
- Every fourth wild retriggers 10 more spins and bumps up your multiplier, first to 2x, then 3x, then 10x. I’ve managed to retrigger twice in a single bonus, but the third level is tough to reach.
- Maximum of three retriggers, so don’t get greedy.
Honestly, the free spins can feel slow if you don’t hit wilds early, but when it pops off, it’s worth the wait. My best round paid about 180x - decent, but not life-changing. Sometimes, though, you barely get your stake back. That’s slot life.
Bonus Buy? Maybe, Maybe Not
The bonus buy feature is there, but depending on where you play, you might not see it. UK sites, for example, block bonus buys entirely. I tried it on an offshore site and the cost was about 100x my pretty standard stake. If you’re allowed to use it and just want to skip the base game grind, it’s handy, but don’t expect it to pay out big every time. I bought a few rounds and honestly, broke even at best.
Compared to the Rest of the Big Bass Family
Now, if you’re a Big Bass fan, you’ll notice the max win here is much lower—2,100x versus 20,000x in some of the newer titles. Gameplay-wise, it’s a straight-up reskin of the original. I kind of wish they’d added something different to the bonus round, but nope - it’s the same, just with more tinsel. So, if you’re looking for innovation, you won’t find it here. It’s all about that Christmas vibe.
Playing on Mobile: Fishing On the Go
I tested the slot on my phone and tablet, and honestly, it runs just as well as on desktop. No issues with lag, freezing, or blurry graphics—even during bonus rounds with lots of animations. The controls are touch-friendly, so you’re not accidentally spinning when you mean to adjust your bet. One minor gripe: the reels feel a bit cramped on smaller screens, but nothing game-breaking.
Real Play: Bonus Frequency and Tips
Here’s where I have to be brutally honest: the base game can drag. Sometimes bonuses land every 60-80 spins, but I’ve had stretches where it took over 150 to see free spins. Volatility here is no joke - don’t go in expecting back-to-back features. If you’re low on patience or bankroll, set your limits and stick to them. I keep my bets conservative and focus on enjoying the ride rather than chasing every bonus.
- Pick a bet size that lets you play at least 100 spins comfortably.
- Don’t get sucked into chasing losses after a cold streak—the bonus will come around eventually (or not, let’s be real).
- All the big wins come from free spins. The base game is just filler here.

Holiday Spirit vs. Year-Round Play
Look, I love Christmas slots in December, but by January, I’m pretty much done with them. The festive theme just doesn’t hit the same outside the holidays. I see this as a slot you dust off once a year, have some fun, and move on. If you want a Big Bass slot you can play all year, check out one of the non-seasonal versions with a bigger max win.
My Honest Verdict
So, here’s my bottom line: Christmas Big Bass Bonanza is a fun, festive slot that does exactly what it says on the tin. The gameplay is tried-and-true, the Christmas touches are lighthearted, and the RTP (if you get the full version) is fair. But if you’re after innovation or massive payouts, you’ll want to look elsewhere in the series. I did find myself coming back for a few bonus rounds in December, but honestly, once the holidays pass, I’m ready to hang up my Santa hat until next year.
If you’re a Big Bass fan who wants some holiday spirit, this is worth a few spins. If you’re chasing the biggest wins or want something truly different, skip it, go to our Slots for Real Money for a list.Just remember to check the RTP before you start, don’t let the holiday cheer distract you from getting the best deal. And if you’re like me and get tired of Christmas tunes after a while, that mute button is your best friend.
Gavin Harper
Senior Gambling Industry Analyst & Writer
Our SummaryIf you know the Big Bass Bonanza slots, this festive edition is exactly what you’d expect, classic fishing gameplay, now re-skinned with Christmas lights, snow, and Santa hats. It’s lighthearted and fun for the holidays, but offers nothing new beyond the theme: the same 5-reel, 10-line structure, familiar bonus rounds, and decent RTP if you check the settings. Great for seasonal spins, but don’t expect surprises or huge wins; it’s more about the holiday vibe than innovation.
- RTP up to 96.71% available
- Medium to high volatility
- Max win of 2,100x stake
- Bet range $0.10 to $250
- 10 fixed paylines
- Playable on desktop, phone, tablet
- No lag or scaling issues reported
- Touch-friendly mobile controls
- Bonus buy feature available on some sites
- Free spins with retrigger multipliers
- Bonus buy feature unavailable on UK sites
- Max win lower than other Big Bass slots

