Book of Ra is not one game but a small family. Greentube (Novomatic's online arm) has released the same tomb-raiding theme in several builds over nearly two decades: the 2005 Classic, the 2008 Deluxe that most people now play, plus a scatter of later editions and spin-offs with their own maths. This page is the index - it lays out what each version is, how the specs differ, and where to go for the two builds we cover in depth.
If you only remember one thing: Deluxe is the standard modern build (10 paylines, a stated default RTP of 95.10%), while Classic is the older 9-line original with a lower default return near 92.13%. The rest are variations on that base, not replacements.
The Book of Ra version map
Here is the whole family in one table. The two builds above the line are the ones I test and write up in detail; everything below it is a genuinely different game with its own certified maths, and I flag it as not covered in depth here rather than pretend one review fits all of them. RTP figures are provider or casino.guru defaults - remember an operator can configure many Novomatic titles lower than the headline number.
| Version | Released | Grid / lines | Default RTP | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Deluxe | April 2008 | 5x3, 10 lines | 95.10% | The standard modern build; sharper graphics, extra 10th line, higher default return. Our main reference. |
| Book of Ra (Classic) | 2005 | 5x3, 9 lines | ~92.13% | The original. Same core mechanic, dated visuals, one fewer line, lower default RTP. See the Deluxe page for the 10-vs-9 line breakdown. |
| Different games - listed for disambiguation, not reviewed in depth here: | ||||
| Book of Ra Magic | Later Greentube release | 5x3 | Verify per source | Adds a two-symbol expanding feature and a reworked gamble. A separate build - check its own paytable. Not covered here. |
| Book of Ra Deluxe 6 | Spin-off | 6 reels, 10 lines | ~95.03% (operator range cited ~90-96%) | Six-reel expansion of Deluxe. Different reel count, wider configurable RTP spread. Not covered here. |
| Book of Ra Deluxe 10 | Spin-off | 5 reels, 10-winline variant | ~95.02% | casino.guru lists a max win of 1,143.70x - a distinct build, easy to confuse with plain Deluxe. Not covered here. |
| Book of Ra Two Symbols | Spin-off | 5x3 | Verify per source | Free games select two expanding symbols instead of one. Different feature maths. Not covered here. |
| Book of Ra Megaways | Spin-off | Megaways engine | Verify per source | Cascading Megaways layout with a variable number of ways to win - a full mechanical redesign. Not covered here. |
| Book of Ra Deluxe Buy Bonus | Feb 2026 go-live | 5x3, 10 lines | Verify per source | Lets you buy straight into the free games for a set stake multiple. Newer edition. Not covered here. |
| Cash Connection - Book of Ra | Spin-off | 5x3 | Verify per source | Bolts a hold-and-respin jackpot feature onto the base game. A separate product line. Not covered here. |
The "verify per source" entries are honest gaps - Greentube does not publish a single tidy maths sheet for every spin-off, and I would rather send you to the game's paytable panel than quote a number I cannot stand behind. casino.guru's per-title pages are the most reliable public reference for the ones I have not tested.
Classic vs Deluxe: the core split
Almost every "which Book of Ra should I play" question comes down to these two. They run the same engine - the Book doubles as wild and scatter, a trio or more of Books opens 10 free games led by a single random expander, and a card-guess gamble sits on top of wins. Deluxe is a polish, not a redesign.
What actually changed in 2008:
- Paylines: Classic pays on 9 lines, Deluxe on 10. That tenth line is a small but real difference in hit frequency and cost per spin.
- Default RTP: Classic's stated default sits around 92.13%; Deluxe's is 95.10%. Over a long session that gap matters more than the graphics do. See the RTP page for the per-version figures and why "default" is the operative word.
- Presentation: Deluxe is the HD refresh - casino.guru describes it as a long-needed upgrade to the old classic. Same symbols, sharper reels.
- Variance: both are high volatility. Neither pays out gently; the money is in the free spins, not the base game.
For most players the answer is Deluxe: better default return, an extra line, cleaner visuals, and it is the build casinos stock most widely. Classic is worth a spin mainly for the nostalgia or if a particular operator only offers the older maths.
Where Magic and the spin-offs fit
Book of Ra Magic is the most notable newer direction. It keeps the tomb theme but reworks the free-spins reward - most obviously a feature that can put several expanding symbols into play at once - and adjusts the gamble. It is a separate certified build rather than one I review in depth here, so read its own paytable panel before you commit real money to it.
The rest of the family - Deluxe 6, Deluxe 10, Two Symbols, Megaways, Buy Bonus, Cash Connection - are separate certified games. They share the art and the Book symbol, but the reel counts, the number of ways to win, the jackpot layers and the RTP configurations differ enough that a Deluxe review would mislead you about them. Treat the table above as a signpost, then read the paytable screen of whichever build a casino is actually running.
How to choose a version
Four levers decide it, roughly in order of how much they matter:
- RTP. Prefer the build with the higher default return, then confirm the number on the operator's paytable panel. Deluxe's 95.10% default beats Classic's ~92.13% before you even spin. Because Novomatic returns are set by the operator, an identical title can run lower at a different casino.
- Paylines and stake. More lines means more ways to hit but a higher cost per spin at the same line bet. Deluxe's 10 lines cost slightly more to cover than Classic's 9.
- Feature style. Standard Deluxe gives you one expanding symbol in free spins. Magic and Two Symbols change that reward. Megaways and Cash Connection change the whole structure. Pick the mechanic you actually enjoy.
- Variance. The whole family is high volatility, so bankroll for dry spells regardless. If you dislike long gaps between wins, none of these will feel forgiving.
Want to test the difference before committing? Load a free demo - the RNG is identical to the real-money game, though the displayed RTP can differ from what a live casino runs. For the full play-through verdict, ratings and honest cons, see the main Book of Ra review.
Who each version suits
The version map sorts cleanly by player type. If you want the mainstream, best-supported build with the strongest default return, Deluxe is for you - it is where I point most readers. If you are chasing the original feel and do not mind the lower 92.13% default and one fewer line, Classic suits you. And if you are drawn to a newer twist like Magic, or a name in the table like Megaways, Deluxe 6 or Cash Connection, treat it as a separate game, check its own info screen, and do not assume Deluxe's numbers carry over. Whatever you land on, the honest caveats stay the same: high volatility, a single core feature carrying the game, and an RTP the operator - not you - gets to set.
Version FAQ
How many versions of Book of Ra are there?
Greentube has released a whole family. The two main online builds are Classic (2005) and Deluxe (2008), plus separate editions and spin-offs including Magic, Deluxe 6, Deluxe 10, Two Symbols, Megaways, Buy Bonus and Cash Connection. They share the theme and the Book symbol but each has its own certified maths, so they are different games rather than skins of one slot.
Is Book of Ra Deluxe 10 the same as Book of Ra Deluxe?
No. Standard Deluxe is the 2008 five-reel, 10-payline build with a 95.10% default RTP. "Deluxe 10" is a distinct variant that casino.guru lists with a max win around 1,143.70x and a slightly different RTP near 95.02%. The similar names cause a lot of confusion, so always check which title the casino is actually loading on its game info panel.
Which Book of Ra version has the best payout?
On paper Deluxe leads the mainstream builds with a 95.10% default return, ahead of Classic's roughly 92.13%. But RTP on Novomatic titles is operator-configurable, so a specific casino can run any of them lower than the headline figure - and some spin-offs quote wide RTP ranges. The default number tells you the ceiling for that build, not what you are guaranteed at a given operator; confirm it in the game's info screen.