Pragmatic Play has just released their latest online pokie, and it’s titled Curse of the Werewolf. This 10-payline poker machine is a throwback to classic horror films, as the residents of a European village find themselves stalked during the full moon.

For more details, please read the following review.

Playing Curse of the Werewolf

If you’re ready to play this game, you’ll need to find a virtual casino offering pokies from Pragmatic Play. This will differ depending on what part of the world you live in, but I suggest that Aussie punters give the excellent Woo Casino a try.

Volatility Level

Pragmatic Play rates the volatility of their pokies on a scale of one to five (with five being the highest). Curse of the Werewolf has the greatest volatility level, which means it pays out less often than average. However, there’s a greater chance to get big wins within a short span of time.

This type of volatility usually requires a larger bankroll and more patience. Keep this in mind before committing to a lengthy session.

Theoretical RTP

The RTP (“return to player”) is a measure of a pokie’s average payout over time. Normally, this is measured over the course of thousands of spins in order to eliminate short-term variance.

The RTP for Curse of the Werewolf is 96.5%. This means an average payback of $96.50 for every $100, which is higher than what you’ll find on most pokies.

Betting Range

Players can wager from one to ten coins, with the coin value ranging from $0.01 to $1. Since there are 10 fixed paylines, this results in a minimum wager of $0.10 and a maximum of $100.

This should satisfy some, but not all, high rollers. However, it’s more than suitable for those with small to medium-sized bankrolls.

Virtual reels for the Curse of the Werewolf poker machine

Paytable for Curse of the Werewolf

Wins are awarded from left to right adjacent symbol combinations of any size. The total number of maximum ways to win is 46,656.

The size of a payout is determined by the player’s wager. For the examples below, assume the player is risking $30 per spin.

  • Ten, Jack and Queen – These poker icons pay $3 for three matches, $6 for four, $9 for five, and $15 for six.
  • King and Ace – This poker duo is worth $6 for three matches, $9 for four, $15 for five, and $30 for six.
  • Villager with Green Cap – This simpleton is worth $6 for three matches, $9 for four, $18 for five, and $45 for six.
  • Villager with Moustache – This middle-aged fellow with facial hair is worth $9 for three matches, $12 for four, $24 for five, and $60 for six.
  • Female Villager – This brunette villager pays $9 for three matches, $15 for four, $30 for five, and $75 for six.
  • Sinister Male Villager – I suspect that this creepy guy is already cursed with lycanthropy. He pays $15 for three matches, $30 for four, $75 for five, and $150 for six.
  • Werewolf – This nocturnal terror strikes when the moon is full. In the meantime, they’re worth $15 for two matches, $30 for three, $75 for four, $150 for five, and $300 for six.
  • Wild Symbol – This icon appears on reels two through six. It substitutes for all symbols except Bonus, golden werewolf, and mystery.
  • Bonus Symbol – Three or more of these icons during the base game trigger the Free Spin phase.
  • Mystery Symbol – This icon can appear on any reel during the base game. At the conclusion of each spin, any mystery icons on the reels transform into the same random symbol (which determines the new payout).

Modified Spins

During any spin on the base game, one of the following spin modifiers can activate at random:

  • Guaranteed Win – Results in a large win across multiple ways.
  • Super Spin – Contains stacks of valuable symbols (no poker icons).

Free Spins Bonus

The game’s lone special round triggers when three or more bonus symbols appear during the base game. The number of free spins is determined by the following:

  • Three Symbols = 8 spins
  • Four Symbols = 10 spins
  • Five Symbols = 12 spins
  • Six Symbols = 15 spins

Be sure to watch for the attacking werewolf symbol (the same as the regular werewolf, but with a golden background). Each time one of these icons appears, it results in damage to one of the villagers.

When the villager receives enough damage, they turn into a werewolf for the rest of the bonus round. Each time a villager transforms, the player earns an additional bonus spin (up to four).

Special reels are in play, as well as a progressive feature. If two or more bonus symbols appear, the punter gains more free spins (according to the following table):

  • Two Symbols = +2 spins
  • Three Symbols = +3 spins
  • Four Symbols = +4 spins
  • Five Symbols = +5 spins
  • Six Symbols = +10 spins

Purchasing Free Spins

Instead of waiting for free spins to activate the usual way, you can choose to purchase them during the base game. This costs 100x the player’s current wager.

Yes, the cost can be steep, especially if you’re playing near the upper limit. However, it’s definitely worth it for impatient punters.

Final Thoughts

I had a blast playing Curse of the Werewolf. The payouts are generous, with wins worth over 40,000 times your wager. Plus there’s the RTP, which is superior to most pokies on the market.

Besides being a fan of the horror theme, I also appreciate all the special features. From the modified spins to the lucrative bonus phase, there are a dizzying array of winning opportunities.

Additional Reading

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