Rise of Merlin (2026): expert review, guide and tips to master volatility

We have known this Rise of Merlin slot by Play'n Go by heart since 2019. After more than 180 team sessions, huge wins, and losses too... it has that special something that keeps us coming back.

The concept? It takes Book of Dead but makes it much more intense. Instead of a single expanding symbol, you can have up to 9 different ones simultaneously. Our most memorable session: turning 80€ into 1,247€ with 7 active symbols.

Merlin's graphic universe is beautifully crafted with fluid animations and a mystical soundtrack. However, be careful, this slot is definitely not for beginners. The extreme volatility can lead to streaks of 200+ spins without a single bonus.

Our verdict: 8.8/10 ⭐

Technical specifications: 96.58% RTP and very high volatility

Game mechanics: how to master Merlin's 5x3 grid

Rise of Merlin uses a classic 5x3 grid with 10 adjustable paylines. We strongly recommend always playing with all 10 lines activated - we missed out on a 340€ bonus by playing only 5 lines!

Bets range from 0.10€ to 50€ on CrazyBet. For beginners facing this level of volatility, starting at 0.20€ allows you to last longer. The official RTP of 96.58% is excellent, but watch out for versions capped at 94.51%.

Why should you always activate all 10 paylines?

The winning combination system follows the classic rule: a minimum of 3 identical symbols are required from left to right. Here is the official list of the 10 different paylines available on this slot.

Always keep in mind that playing fewer lines significantly reduces your hit frequency and can lead to missing out on major bonus triggers.

The true innovation lies in the multiple expansion system during free spins. Unlike classic slots, Rise of Merlin can accumulate up to 9 different active symbols simultaneously!

Pros and cons of Rise of Merlin

✅ Advantages of Rise of Merlin

• Unique and revolutionary expansion system.
• Solid RTP of 96.58% in the full version.
• Massive potential with a maximum win of 5,000x.
• Perfect mobile optimization.
• Immersive Merlin theme with polished graphics.

❌ Disadvantages of Play'n Go's Rise of Merlin

• Extreme volatility requiring iron discipline.
• Average wait of 110 spins between bonuses.
• Psychologically challenging dry spells.
• Not suitable for beginners or small budgets.
• Huge frustration when landing "bad" expansion symbols.

Bonus and free spins: the secret of the 9 expanding symbols

Triggers and mechanics The 3 magic orbs (scatters) trigger 8 free spins. According to our statistics, this happens on average every 110 spins, though variations are massive: sometimes after only 30 spins, and other times after 234 spins.

Before the spins begin, an expanding symbol is randomly selected:

• Merlin (500x): The Holy Grail!
• Red Dragon (160x): Very, very good
• Blue Dragon / Owl (60x): Decent
• Cards (8x-12x): Generally disappointing

Afterward, the mechanic is just like Book of Dead: as soon as a symbol appears at least 2 or 3 times on the starting grid, it expands to cover the entire reel and creates a winning connection. Here is an example from our bonus session featuring the "10" symbol.

Retrigger and multiple expansion: our session with 7 active symbols

Every retrigger (3+ scatters during the spins) adds 8 extra spins plus a new expanding symbol that is added to the previous ones. Our legendary session saw 7 active symbols simultaneously, resulting in a 2,847€ win from a 2€ bet!

These bonuses are psychologically intense. Landing Merlin provides an incomparable euphoria, but be careful not to chase losses after a disappointing bonus round.

Strategy and bankroll management: our pro player tips

Betting tiers and golden rules to avoid getting "destroyed"

Our proven strategy for handling this extreme volatility:

Golden rules:

• Strict stop loss: -100€ per session.
• Stop win: +200% of the initial stake.
• Always play all 10 lines.
• Never more than 2% of your bankroll per spin.

Observed patterns and RNG reality: what you need to know

With experience, a few patterns have been observed (without any scientific guarantee):

• Bonuses often arrive in clusters of 2-3.
• After 150+ spins without a bonus, the probability seems to increase.
• Major retriggers tend to happen toward the end of a session.

Important: These observations have no real value! The RNG remains completely random.

Comparison: Rise of Merlin vs Book of Dead and the competition

The ultimate showdown: Merlin against the unbeatable Book of Dead

Verdict: Book of Dead for starting out, Rise of Merlin for maximum adrenaline.

Alternatives: Legacy of Dead and the Rich Wilde series

• Legacy of Dead: More variety but less innovation.
• Rich Wilde series: Similar gameplay, different themes.
• Market position: Rise of Merlin = extreme version for thrill-seekers.

Paytable

All the values presented below are based on a starting bet of 1€.

Premium symbols and Wilds

• Merlin: 500x - The absolute king
• Magic Orb: 500x - Wild + Scatter
• Red Dragon: 160x - High premium
• Blue Dragon: 60x - Mid premium
• Owl: 60x - Blue dragon equivalent

Low-tier symbols (cards)

• Ace / King: 12x
• Queen / Jack / 10: 8x

The Wild (magic orb) replaces all symbols. Scatters pay anywhere on the grid and trigger free spins as soon as 3 or more appear.

Play Rise of Merlin on mobile and at the best casino

Mobile optimization has been exemplary throughout six months of testing: Performance:

• HD Graphics preserved
• Smooth 60fps animations
• Intuitive touch interface
• iOS/Android compatible
• Zero bugs found

Anecdote: Our biggest win (2,847€) was actually hit on an iPhone while commuting on the train! This level of optimization allows you to play anywhere with the same quality.

Why we recommend CrazyBet for your sessions

To play Rise of Merlin, we recommend CrazyBet, which offers the full RTP version at 96.58%.

Validated criteria:

• Guaranteed 96.58% RTP
• Demo mode available
• Attractive welcome bonus (+100% up to 500€)
• Fast payouts (within 24 hours)
• Responsive English support