Some people fish for recreation, while others do it for survival. Whatever the case, it’s a pastime that’s enjoyed all over the world.

Booming Games has decided to cash in on this popularity, releasing Hooked in February of 2023. This is a 5-reel, 25-payline pokie with wagers ranging from $0.25 to $500. For more information, please read my review below.

Hooked RTP

The RTP, also known as “return to player,” is an expression of the expected payback to the player. This percentage is subject to short-term variance, but it always proves true over thousands of spin.

Here’s an example of RTP: If a pokie has an RTP of 96.5%, then the player can expect to win back an average of $96.50 for every $100 wagered.

In the case of Hooked, the game has an RTP of 95%. Online pokies tend to be higher than regular slots, so this is slightly below average. Still, it’s not low enough to cross off your list.

Finding Hooked

You can find Hooked at any online casino carrying titles from Booming Games. I recommend PlayAmo for Aussie punters, as I’ve been using it for years without any issues. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a little experimentation.

Hooked Pay Table

This section provides an in-depth look at the game’s pay table. However, keep in mind that various wagers change the overall payout. For the following examples, let’s assume that the player is making the maximum wager of $500.

  • Dark Blue Lure – Pays $80 for three matches, $300 for four and $800 for five.
  • Light Blue Lure – This feathered lure pays $120 for three matches, $400 for four and $1200 for five.
  • Red Lure – This minor game icon pays $160 for three matches, $500 for four and $1600 for five.
  • Pink Lure – This odd-looking lure pays $200 for three matches, $600 for four and $2000 for five.
  • Orange Lure – The last of the lure icons, this symbol pays $500 for three matches, $1400 for four and $5000 for five.
  • Bass – This tasty fish is one of the main targets of anglers. It pays $600 for three matches, $1600 for four and $6000 for five.
  • Swordfish – This fish is a fine prize for those who sail the ocean. It pays $700 for three matches, $1800 for four and $7000 for five.
  • Lobster – This crustacean is always expensive in restaurants, so it’s natural that it offers a sizable payout. Prizes include $800 for three matches, $2000 for four and $8000 for five.
  • License Plate – This is the game’s wild symbol, which means it substitutes for all other icons except the scatter. When part of a winning line, it pays $1000 for three matches, $4000 for four and $20,000 for five.

Hooked pokie gameplay screen

Free Spins

Scatter symbols are the key to triggering the free spins round. You’ll receive a certain number of spins depending on the number of scatters.

  • 3 Scatters = 5 Spins
  • 4 Scatters = 10 Spins
  • 5 Scatters = 15 Spins

The wager and number of active paylines can’t be changed during free spins. Also, free spins can’t be re-triggered during the bonus round.

Fish On! Feature

This special feature appears at random during the base game and bonus round. It triggers when a giant fish swims across the screen and gets caught in a net.

The objective is to catch one type of underwater creature in your net. Each option has a different bet multiplier, and these include:

  • Bass – 2x multiplier
  • Swordfish – 3x multiplier
  • Lobster – 5x multiplier

The player gets a special payout when they catch all fish of a certain type during the Fish On! Feature. These include:

  • Bass – 250x multiplier
  • Swordfish – 500x multiplier
  • Lobster – 1000x multiplier

Final Thoughts

I’ve always enjoyed fishing in real life, so I found Hooked to be a lot of fun. The two bonus rounds keep things interesting, and the pay table is more generous than a lot of pokies. The 95% RTP is slightly below average, but it’s still high enough to remain in the conversation. The $0.25 to $500 betting range also makes it suitable for players on a low to medium budget.

Additional Reading

For more poker machine reviews, please see the following: