Book of Ra Classic — the Original
Book of Ra Classic is the original online version of Novomatic’s machine, listed by SlotCatalog with a 2005 release, nine lines and a 92.13 % RTP. It plays like deluxe — book wild-scatter, ten free games with one expanding symbol, gamble — with older graphics and one line fewer.
The original in numbers
Five reels, three rows and nine lines selectable from one to nine. SlotCatalog lists a 92.13 % RTP, high volatility, a 5,000× maximum and a 28 % hit frequency. The feature is the same as in deluxe: three books, ten free games, one expanding symbol.
| Release (online) | March 2005 (SlotCatalog) |
|---|---|
| Reels / lines | 5×3 / 9, selectable 1–9 |
| Bet range | SlotCatalog: 0.01–10 per line, up to 90 total with all lines |
| Feature | 10 free games, special expanding symbol, retrigger, gamble |
| RTP / volatility | 92.13 %* / high |
| Max win | 5,000×* |
We did not capture the Classic’s paytable ourselves: there is no official demo of it. The symbol set — explorer, pharaoh mask, statue, scarab and card symbols, with the book as wild and scatter — matches deluxe, but the pay values are set per line bet in the original and differ from deluxe’s table.
Classic vs deluxe in practice
The Classic feels the same and pays a little less. With nine lines instead of ten, an expanding symbol in free games covers one line fewer, and the listed RTP is three points lower. In return you get the sounds and look many players remember from gaming halls.
If you grew up with Book of Ra in a German or Austrian gaming hall, the Classic’s graphics and sound effects are the familiar ones. If you just want to play Book of Ra, deluxe is the better deal. Our Classic vs deluxe page goes through the differences one by one.
Try the feature in the deluxe demo: the free games, the expanding symbol and the gamble work the same way in both.
Why the Classic still matters
It started a genre. The explorer-and-book formula became the template for dozens of “book” slots from other providers. It is also the reason why searches for “Book of Ra” still outnumber those for most modern slots in Italy, Germany and Austria.
Many players search for “Book of Ra old version” or “Book of Ra original” because the deluxe graphics look different from what they remember. In most cases what they remember is the Classic, or a land-based Novomatic machine with a slightly different layout. Online, the Classic is the closest match.
Where to play Book of Ra
Partner offers depend on the country you play from. Pick yours to see licensed options, local rules and help lines.
Problems and what to do
Operators choose which editions they license. Check another licensed casino in your country, or accept that deluxe plays the same with one more line.
Novomatic does not publish one. Do not install unknown files; use browser demos from trusted sources.
Its listed RTP is lower (92.13 % vs 95.10 %), and it has one line fewer.
Questions
Is Book of Ra Classic still available online?
Some casinos still list it, often simply as “Book of Ra”. Many have replaced it with deluxe. The game name in the info screen tells you which one you have.
Why does the Classic have nine lines?
It reproduces the original machine’s nine-line layout. Novomatic’s current product page for the land-based Book of Ra lists ten lines, so line counts differ between machine and online builds.
Is there a free demo of the Classic?
Not from Greentube. Copies on other websites come from third-party servers. We show the official deluxe demo instead, which plays almost the same.
Should I play Classic or deluxe?
Deluxe has a higher listed RTP (95.10 % vs 92.13 %), ten lines and a public demo. Choose the Classic only if you specifically want the original look.
Read next
Sources and changes
- SlotCatalog — Book of Ra (Classic): release 2005-03-03, 9 lines, RTP 92.13 %, max win 5,000×, hit frequency 28 %
- NOVOMATIC — Book of Ra™ (land-based product page: 10 lines, 5 reels)
- Greentube — public demo launcher (no Classic demo found, checked 23 Oct 2026)
Change log: 23 October 2026 — page published