Magic of the Nile

Introduction

Magic of the Nile is a dynamic slot machine where players can potentially gain an advantage by collecting colorful gems. Players aim to gather red, blue, or green gems. Collecting three gems of the same hue activates a free feature spin, typically rewarding between 10x and 25x the player's wager.

To optimize their chances, slot players, often referred to as 'vultures,' should only participate when enough gems remain from the last player's turn. The number of available gems is indicated by illuminated pieces on three obelisks. For instance, the image below shows a scenario where two gems of each color have been gathered, which signifies a prime opportunity.

Rules

1. This slot game features five reels and showcases three rows at a time.
2. A bet buys 30 paylines.
3. Players can place bets of 75, 150, 225, 375, or 600 credits. In every instance I’ve encountered, one credit equals $0.01. Therefore, the betting amounts range from $0.75 up to $6.00. Regardless of the bet size, gameplay remains consistent, with winnings scaled proportionally. For example, wagering $6.00 would yield an 8x payout compared to a player betting $0.75 for the same winning combination.
4. The wild symbol can appear on reels 2 through 5 and can replace any other symbol except for the Scarab and Pyramid.
5. The pay table appears below.
6. The scarab is a unique symbol; if it shows up on reels 2 or 4, it awards one to three gems (typically just one). The gems can be red, blue, or green.
7. As players gather gems, three obelisks track each color, with the illuminated sections representing the count of collected gems.
8. Upon collecting three gems of a single color, players receive a free feature spin that is specified by the color of the gem collected, as follows:
   • Collecting three green gems triggers a free spin with 'random wilds.' During this spin, five to ten wilds will be placed across the screen before the reels conclude their spin. This feature is often referred to as 'exploding wilds.'
   • Three red gems activate a free spin with expanding reels. In this instance, the reels stretch to display six rows and offer a total of 75 paylines, as opposed to the standard 30 available.
   • Three blue gems procure multiplier wilds. Any win involving at least one wild gets doubled, resulting in a multiplier of 2.
9. It is possible for players to trigger more than one type of feature spin simultaneously, especially within the bonus game. In such cases, the feature spin will incorporate all earned features from the previous spin.
10. Both Scarab and Pyramid symbols are excluded from appearing during feature spins.
11. When players gather at least three scattered pyramids, they enter the bonus game. Collecting three pyramids grants eight free spins, while four rewards ten spins, and five garners twelve spins.
12. During free spins, players do not need to collect three gems to activate a feature spin; only one is needed.
13. Moreover, collecting a gem during the bonus game not only activates an immediate feature spin but also awards an additional free spin.
14. Players can enjoy a maximum of 50 free spins during the bonus round.
15. Collected gems remain on the game.
16. Each betting option in this game functions as an individual experience, remaining in its own state distinct from the last game played at that particular bet level.

Here’s the pay table: wins are counted from left to right only. Notably, wild symbols don’t show up on reel 1, which means no wins can occur solely from wilds.

Rule Screens

Below are thumbnails of all 23 rule screens. Click any image for a larger view.

Feature Spin Examples

Random Wilds

Achieving all three pieces of the green obelisk entitles the player to a Random Wild feature spin. In this spin, five to ten wilds are randomly scattered on the screen before the reels halt. The presence of sticky wilds renders any symbol that would normally occupy those slots irrelevant.

In the example provided below, I received a total of six sticky wilds. After the reels halted, a seventh wild appeared in the lower position of reel 4, resulting in a total win of $10.45, which is 13.93 times my initial wager.

Expanding Reels

Collecting all three components of the red obelisk provides the player with a Random Wild feature spin as well. In this segment, the reels expand from three rows to six and the paylines increase from 30 to 75. I also suspect that the reel stripping mechanism is more generous in this scenario.

The example below illustrates the expanded reels. My total win here amounted to $18.00 based on a $0.75 wager, which is 24.0 times my initial bet.

Multiplier Wilds

If the player manages to gather all three sections of the blue obelisk, they unlock a Multiplier Wilds feature spin. In this situation, all wilds turn into 2x wilds. Any win that involves a wild—most of them—will be doubled. It’s important to remember that winning through multiple 2x wilds only results in a double of the win, not more.

The image below demonstrates a 2x wild being placed over the wilds I naturally earned. The final payout was $27.50, translating to a multiplier of 36.7 times my initial wager of $0.75.

Strategy

The pertinent question becomes: when are there enough lit obelisk pieces for the odds to shift in favor of the player? My answer to this hinges largely on insights from seasoned slot enthusiasts, who shared their thoughts anonymously.

While opinions vary, there’s a general consensus that having two pieces of one color is preferable to one piece of two different colors. Many players noted that the green obelisk, which leads to random wilds, tends to be less valuable, whereas red and blue are usually considered to hold equal value. However, some players didn’t distinguish between the colors and treated them as equally valuable.

Another aspect that players brought up is the casino environment itself. The tighter the slot machines, the more pieces are usually necessary to play. As I've often pointed out, there is a significant correlation between the opulence of a casino and the tightness of its slots. Casinos that primarily attract tourists generally have tighter slots compared to those that mainly serve local patrons. Additionally, one can gauge the tightness of slots by analyzing video poker and keno, which can be quantified.

Most players unanimously agreed to avoid playing with three or fewer pieces. Some mentioned they might consider three pieces if two were of the same color in a loose casino that generously offers comps and mailers. Yet, the majority insisted on at least four pieces.

A strong consensus emerged about the strategy of playing with five pieces. I don’t recall speaking to any knowledgeable player who opted to play with less than five or six pieces.

Opinions varied widely regarding the choice to play with four pieces. Some players stated they would only engage if two colors were represented with two pieces each, while others would accept a combination of 2-1-1. A common sentiment was that four pieces represent a gray area, with decisions often influenced by the casino environment and, at times, the perceived value of the green pieces compared to red and blue.

The game provides five distinct betting levels, each functioning as an isolated game in its own right. Fortunately for slot connoisseurs, the betting interface shows how many obelisk pieces are lit at all five levels. They also enhance the experience by making it clear when there are at least two pieces lit by displaying the gem above the obelisk sparkling brilliantly like a diamond. For instance, in the image below, both the $0.75 and $6.00 bet levels feature two illuminated pieces, and the jeweled obelisk sits sparkling above.

External Links

• Discussion For more information about Magic of the Nile, you can visit my forum at Wizard of Vegas.
• Know Your Slots has a good page on Magic of the Nile.

Written by: Michael Shackleford