The Big Bamboo slot is a 2022 Push Gaming release on a 5-reel, 6-row grid with 50 fixed paylines, high volatility and a 50,000× stake max win. It comes in two RTP versions, 96.13% and 94.13%, so which one your casino runs makes a real difference to the cost. This page shows how the mystery bamboo mechanic works and what the numbers mean in pounds.
Push Gaming slot from 2022: 5 reels × 6 rows, 50 fixed paylines, high volatility.
Two RTP builds exist: 96.13% and 94.13%. On £1,000 of spins that gap is worth about £20 on long-run average.
Max win is 50,000× stake: £100,000 at the £2 limit for 18–24s and £250,000 at £5 for players 25 and over.
Mystery bamboo symbols are the engine of the game; the help screen lists exactly what they can reveal in your version.
Developer
Push Gaming
RTP
96.13% (94.13% version also exists)
Volatility
High
Layout
5 reels × 6 rows
Ways to win
50 fixed paylines
Max win
50,000× stake
Released
2022
Big Bamboo slot at a glance: what Push Gaming built
Push Gaming is a London-based studio founded in 2010 and now majority-owned by the LeoVegas Group, part of MGM Resorts. It holds a Gambling Commission licence (account 054984) and is best known for a short list of high-volatility hits: Jammin’ Jars, Razor Shark and Big Bamboo.
Big Bamboo arrived in 2022 with a panda-in-the-forest theme and a tall grid: five reels, each six symbols high, giving 30 positions in view. That height matters, because the game’s main feature works by covering several of those positions with mystery bamboo at once. Among our slot machine pages it is one of the clearest examples of a modern high-volatility slot, where a big share of the return comes from rare, large results.
How the Big Bamboo slot machine works
A Big Bamboo spin follows the same sequence as any certified online slot, with an extra step for the mystery reveal:
Pick a total stake. All 50 paylines are fixed, so the stake is split evenly across them.
Press spin. UK rules require every spin to be started by hand, with at least 2.5 seconds between the start of one spin and the next.
The random number generator chooses where each reel stops before the reels move on screen.
Any mystery bamboo symbols in view are resolved; the outcome of the reveal is also part of the result already drawn.
The game checks all 50 lines from left to right and pays each winning line at its paytable value.
Wins are added to your balance, and your net position for the session stays on screen.
What 50 fixed lines mean for your stake
Because the lines are fixed, a £1 spin is 2p per line and a 10p spin is 0.2p per line. You never need to calculate that yourself: the paytable shows prizes in pounds at your current stake, and a symbol that pays on more than one line pays on each of them. Older slots that let you choose the number of lines work the same way, just with a variable divisor.
Mystery bamboo symbols: the feature that drives Big Bamboo
Mystery symbols are blanks that land on the reels and then turn into something else. In Big Bamboo they appear as bamboo, often stacked down a reel, and every bamboo position in view reveals the same thing on that spin. The reveal can be an ordinary paying symbol, and Push Gaming also uses the bamboo to carry the game’s special symbols; the in-game rules list every possible outcome for the build you are playing.
An illustrative example
The figures below are made up to show the principle, not taken from the paytable. Imagine bamboo covers four positions on reel 2 and six on reel 3, and a high-paying symbol sits on reel 1. If the bamboo reveals that same symbol, a single spin can suddenly create a three-of-a-kind on many of the 50 lines at once, because every line that runs through reel 1’s symbol and then through the bamboo on reels 2 and 3 now matches. If the bamboo reveals a low symbol that is not on reel 1, the same spin pays nothing.
Why a mystery reveal swings the result (illustration only)
Bamboo reveals
Matching symbol on reel 1?
Effect on that spin
Same high symbol as reel 1
Yes
Many lines can pay at once
A low symbol not on reel 1
No
Bamboo pays nothing
A special symbol
Not needed
Effect depends on the symbol; see the help screen
That all-or-nothing behaviour is a big part of why the game is rated high volatility. The outcome is still decided by the RNG in one go; the reveal is simply how the result is shown to you.
Big Bamboo free spins and bonus round
Like most Push Gaming titles, Big Bamboo has a free spins round reached through scatter symbols during normal play. Bonus rounds in high-volatility games usually hold a large share of the RTP, so the base game alone tends to return noticeably less than the headline figure, and the round itself can pay very little or a great deal.
Push Gaming has also used special versions of the bamboo symbol inside the bonus. Because those rules (how many scatters are needed, how many spins are awarded, whether the round can be retriggered and what the special bamboo does) are set out in detail in the game’s help pages, read them there rather than relying on summaries, which sometimes describe other versions.
In Great Britain you cannot pay to go straight to the bonus. Slots supplied to UK-licensed casinos do not offer a bonus buy, so free spins come only from normal spins.
Big Bamboo RTP: the 96.13% and 94.13% versions
Push Gaming supplies Big Bamboo in more than one RTP version, and the facts we hold confirm two: 96.13% and 94.13%. The casino chooses which one to run. The game looks identical either way; only the maths behind it differs.
Big Bamboo long-run average cost per 100 spins, by RTP version
Stake
Staked
Cost at 96.13%
Cost at 94.13%
10p
£10
39p
59p
20p
£20
77p
£1.17
50p
£50
£1.94
£2.94
£1
£100
£3.87
£5.87
£2
£200
£7.74
£11.74
£5
£500
£19.35
£29.35
At £1 a spin, 1,000 spins means £1,000 staked. On long-run average the 96.13% build keeps £38.70 of that and the 94.13% build keeps £58.70, a £20 difference for exactly the same game. That is why it is worth checking the figure on the rules page before you play; our guide to reading slot RTP in the UK shows where to look.
Big Bamboo max win at UK stake limits
The top prize is capped at 50,000 times the total stake, one of the highest multiples on the site. A cap like this marks the most the maths will ever pay on a single spin or feature; it is not a target the game works towards, and almost every session finishes nowhere near it.
Big Bamboo 50,000× max win in pounds
Stake
Max win
10p stake
£5,000
£1 stake
£50,000
£2 (18–24 limit)
£100,000
£5 (25+ limit)
£250,000
If a feature would pay more than the cap, it ends early and pays the capped amount. Players aged 18 to 24 cannot stake more than £2 a spin online, so £100,000 is their ceiling; for everyone else, the £5 limit makes £250,000 the most this game can pay a UK player.
Playing a high-volatility slot like Big Bamboo on a budget
High volatility means you should expect long runs of small or empty spins between the results that carry the RTP. One honest way to plan is to count how many spins your budget buys, then accept that the whole budget can go before a feature lands.
How many spins a £20 budget buys
Stake
Spins from £20 (no wins)
Spins at the 2.5 s minimum
10p
200
At least 8 min 20 s
20p
100
At least 4 min 10 s
50p
40
At least 1 min 40 s
£1
20
At least 50 s
Wins put some money back, so real sessions usually last longer than the table suggests, but on a game this volatile they can also end at the bottom of the range. Our bankroll guide and volatility and budgets page explain how to choose a stake that fits.
Is the Big Bamboo slot worth playing? Who it suits
Advantages
Very high 50,000× ceiling
Clear, easy-to-follow mystery mechanic
Fixed lines keep the stake simple
96.13% RTP in the higher version
Drawbacks
High volatility: dry spells are normal
A lower 94.13% build exists, so you must check
Much of the return sits in the bonus
Mystery reveals can feel all-or-nothing
Big Bamboo suits adults who enjoy high-variance games, set a firm budget and see the cost as the price of entertainment. Anyone who prefers frequent small wins will be happier on a low-volatility slot.
Slots similar to Big Bamboo
Push Gaming has a recognisable style, so its other games are the closest matches. Figures come from our slot data.
Big Bamboo and other Push Gaming slots
Slot
RTP
Volatility
Grid and lines
Top prize
Big Bamboo
96.13%
High
5 × 6, 50 lines
50,000×
Fat Banker
96.43%
High
6 × 6, 50 lines
25,000×
Jammin’ Jars
96.83%
High
8 × 8, cluster pays
20,000×
Razor Shark
96.70%
High
5 × 4, 20 lines
Check help screen
Fat Rabbit
96.45%
High
5 × 5, 50 lines
Check help screen
Fat Banker and Fat Rabbit share the 50-line layout; Razor Shark is the studio’s other mystery-symbol favourite. For more panda and wildlife themes, browse our animal slot machines.
Big Bamboo myths that do not hold up
“Lots of bamboo means a big reveal is due.” Each spin is drawn independently. A screen full of bamboo is as likely to reveal a low symbol as any other spin’s reveal.
Since 31 October 2021, online slots in Great Britain have had no autoplay, no turbo or slam-stop, a minimum 2.5-second game cycle and no fanfare for wins that return your stake or less. Those design rules explain why the UK version of Big Bamboo plays more slowly than videos from other countries suggest. Our page on UK slot game design rules gives the full list.
Stake limits came later. The Commission’s stake limit guidance (opens in a new tab) caps online slot stakes at £5 a spin for players aged 25 and over (from 9 April 2025) and £2 for 18 to 24-year-olds (from 21 May 2025). Winnings are not taxed for UK players.
Where to play Big Bamboo in the UK
Push Gaming games appear at many UK casinos, but lobbies change, so search the casino’s game list for Big Bamboo first. None of our partners’ offers is linked to this game.
Coral: bet £10 on slots and get 100 free spins, 10p each on selected games, with no wagering on winnings (18+, new players, valid 7 days, terms apply). Ladbrokes: deposit and play £10 on slots for 50 free spins a day over 10 days, up to 500, at 10p each with no wagering (18+, new customers, terms apply). Coral and Ladbrokes share an operator, so you may not be able to take both. PlayOJO gives 80 no-wagering free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, 10p each, with a first deposit of £10 or more (18+, new UK customers excluding Northern Ireland, terms apply). More detail is on the Ladbrokes page.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open a new account with another; check the terms before signing up.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Coral reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Ladbrokes reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the PlayOJO reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, UKGC account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Decide a budget before you play: plan a slot budget. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RTP of Big Bamboo?
Big Bamboo has a 96.13% RTP in its higher version, and a 94.13% version also exists. The casino chooses which one to offer, so open the game’s rules screen to see the figure at the site you are using. The difference matters over time: on £100 of spins the long-run average cost is £3.87 at 96.13% and £5.87 at 94.13%. Any single session can still differ hugely from either figure. See what is a good RTP for a slot for context.
What is the max win on Big Bamboo?
The maximum win is 50,000 times your stake. That is £5,000 at a 10p stake, £50,000 at £1, £100,000 at the £2 limit that applies to players aged 18 to 24 and £250,000 at the £5 limit for players 25 and over. If a bonus would pay more than the cap, it stops and pays the capped amount. Reaching it is extremely rare. Our page on which slots have the biggest max win puts the figure in context.
How do the mystery bamboo symbols work?
Mystery bamboo symbols land on the reels and then all turn into the same symbol on that spin. If they reveal a symbol that matches what is already on the earlier reels, many of the 50 paylines can pay at once; if they reveal something that does not connect, they pay nothing. The result is decided by the random number generator before the reveal animation, so nothing you do changes it. The help screen lists every possible reveal. Our mystery symbols guide covers the feature across other games.
How do you trigger free spins on Big Bamboo?
Free spins are triggered by landing the required number of scatter symbols during normal spins. The exact number of scatters, the spins awarded and any retrigger rules are set out in the game’s help screen, which is the most reliable source because summaries elsewhere sometimes describe other versions. In the UK you cannot buy your way into the bonus, so the round comes only from regular play. Our page on what triggers a bonus round explains how trigger odds are built into a slot.
Is Big Bamboo high volatility?
Yes, Big Bamboo is rated high volatility. In practice that means long stretches of small or no wins are normal, and a large share of the return comes from occasional big results, often in the bonus. It does not make the game more or less fair; the RTP is unchanged. It does mean you need a budget you are comfortable losing in full. Read high volatility slot machines for how these games compare.
Can I play Big Bamboo for free?
You can try a free demo after age verification at UK-licensed casinos that carry the game. Since May 2019, operators have had to confirm a player’s age before allowing access to free-to-play games, so you will need an account even for the demo. Demo play uses the same maths as the real game but pays only play credits. It is a useful way to see how volatile the game feels before staking money. The demo slots guide has more.
How much does Big Bamboo cost to play per hour?
At most 1,440 spins can be played in an hour because of the 2.5-second minimum spin time, so at 20p a spin you could stake up to £288 an hour. At the 96.13% RTP the long-run average cost of that is about £11.15, and at 94.13% about £16.91. Real sessions are slower and results vary widely, especially on a high-volatility game. Our slot cost calculator guide shows how to work this out for any stake.
Who makes Big Bamboo?
Big Bamboo is made by Push Gaming, a studio founded in 2010 with headquarters in London and an office in Malta. LeoVegas Group, part of MGM Resorts, announced a majority stake in 2023. Push Gaming holds a Gambling Commission licence, account 054984, which lets it supply games to British casinos. Its other well-known titles include Jammin’ Jars and Razor Shark. Read more on our Push Gaming provider page.
What is the maximum bet on Big Bamboo in the UK?
The maximum is £5 a spin if you are 25 or over and £2 a spin if you are aged 18 to 24. Those are Gambling Commission limits for every online slot at a British-licensed casino, in force since 9 April 2025 and 21 May 2025. A casino may also apply a lower maximum while a bonus is active. The £2 stake limit for 18 to 24-year-olds page explains how operators apply the age-based limit.
Does Big Bamboo have a bonus buy in the UK?
No. Bonus buy options are not offered on slots supplied to players in Great Britain, so you cannot pay a fixed price to start the free spins. Versions sold elsewhere may include it, which is why some non-UK videos and reviews mention it. In the UK, every route into the bonus goes through ordinary spins at your chosen stake. Our bonus buy in the UK page sets out the background.
Gambling can be addictive. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Visit GamCare.org.uk and GamCare, or block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites with GAMSTOP.
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