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So, i've decided to spin this 'Book Of Itza' video slot from Pariplay provider, as I hoped it would contain expanding symbols. Instead of expansion mechanism, it contains: Sticky Expanded Wild Re-Spins/Wilds/Scatters/Multipliers/Potential up to 5.000x bet upon 5x4 Grid with 1024 Ways to Win.
The action begin when a locked frame appears every time you land a Wild symbol on the reels. When the full reel has Locked Frames, the entire Reel transforms into a Sticky Expanded Wild and awards 3 'Sticky Expanded Wild Respins'. Also, when you land 3 Book Scatter symbols, it triggers 12 Free spins with Guaranteed Sticky Expanded Wild Respins and Multipliers up to 6x.
However, my session could yield more, regarding the low Paytable. If the Book Scatter had a payment value or participated as the second Wild symbol, then it would increase the total potential leading to greater winnings. Also note, that in the bonus round, the 12 Free spins usually contain at least 8 empty spins while the 'Sticky Expanded Wild' usually appears in the penultimate/last spin on the 4th or 5th reel. So to win a decent hit, you need the 'Sticky Expanded Wild' on the first 3 reels, indeed.
Another tricky part of the Locked frame mechanism, on base game, is that you can display almost the entire grid with the 'locked' frame. For example, I had 3 semi-locked in each cylinder. I needed 1 extra Wild on each Reel, to activate the 'Sticky Expanded Wild Re-Spins' on the entire Grid. Unfortunately, when the activation started, it started from the 5th reel and as usually not simultaneously! While my balance had decreased because, had locked me in 'for a Î’ig win'.
In overall the mechanism can offer decent hits, but proceed with caution or solid balance.