Secret of the Stones Slot Review
Secret of the Stones by NetEnt feels more focused on gameplay rhythm than constant small payouts. During testing, some sessions stayed quiet for long periods before the feature system finally changed the pace. This review covers RTP, volatility, gameplay flow and the type of player most likely to enjoy the experience.
| Provider: | Netent |
| RTP: | 96.72% |
| Type: | Video Slots |
| Launched: | 2013 |
| Volatility: | Medium |
| Max Win: | 2500x |
| Min/Max Bet: | $0.25/$125 |
Secret of the Stones Demo
Where To Play Secret of the Stones
- FastPay100% up to NZ$750 + 100 Free SpinsSecond deposit bonus 75% up to NZ$75
Author: Ethan McAllister
Secret of the Stones Slot Overview
NetEnt released the original Secret of the Stones online slot in October 2013. It uses five reels, three rows and 25 paylines with a 96.72% RTP, medium to high volatility and bets from $0.25 to $125. The classic game can pay up to 2,500x, while its main draw is a free spins round shaped by bonuses hidden under 20 stones.
Our review of Secret of the Stones found an older slot that still has a clever bonus setup. The base game is plain and the 25 line wins are easy to follow, but every triggering scatter adds another pick before free spins. A good set of wild reels and multipliers can transform the round, while poor stones can leave ten spins feeling rather ancient.
Secret of the Stones RTP, Payouts and Volatility
Secret of the Stones has a 96.72% RTP in its classic form, placing it 0.72 percentage points above the common 96% reference mark. RTP is calculated over a very large number of rounds and should not be read as a promise for a short session. The later MAX version has different settings, so make sure the casino has loaded the version you intend to play.
The Secret of the Stones online slot pays across 25 lines from left to right. The deer is the highest standard paying animal symbol, while the card values from 10 to Ace sit at the bottom of the paytable. The reported hit frequency is about 25.07%, or roughly one winning spin in four over the model’s long run. The classic maximum win is 2,500x, which is moderate by current standards but can still produce a useful bonus result.
| Slot Name | Secret of the Stones |
|---|---|
| Game Provider | NetEnt |
| RTP | 96.72% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Paylines | 25 |
| Bonus Buy | No |
| Progressive Jackpot | No |
Volatility describes the expected balance between win size and win frequency. Secret of the Stones is medium to high volatility, meaning smaller line wins can appear regularly while its stronger payouts depend on a favourable free spins setup. Results can still swing sharply in a short session.
The base game is restrained, with most of the personality saved for the bonus collector. Three or more scatters award ten free spins and one stone pick per triggering scatter. In our review session, the feature quality changed dramatically depending on whether the stones revealed extra spins, a multiplier or full wild reels. That makes the trigger exciting, but not every excavation uncovers treasure.
Secret of the Stones Bonuses and Special Features
Secret of the Stones slot game features focus on wild substitutions and the Free Spins Bonus Collector. Three or more oak tree scatters trigger ten free spins, then you pick from 20 stones. The number of picks matches the number of scatters that opened the round.
The Secret of the Stones online slot bonuses revealed by the stones can add spins, improve the win multiplier, turn reels two or four fully wild, or convert the deer and owl into extra wild symbols. The selected modifiers remain active for the whole free spins round, so one good pick can change every result.
Free Spins Bonus Collector
Three, four or five scatter symbols award ten free spins and the same number of stone picks. Twenty stones appear before the feature begins, and each selected stone reveals a modifier.
All collected modifiers remain active throughout the round. The feature is easy to understand but highly variable because the value of ten spins depends heavily on what the stones hide.
Wild Reels and Extra Wilds
A stone can turn reel two or reel four completely wild for the full free spins round. Other stones can convert the deer or owl symbol into a wild.
Wild reels create the strongest setup because every position on that reel substitutes for ordinary symbols. Combining a wild reel with an added wild animal can cover a large part of the grid and make the 25 paylines much more active.
Multipliers and Extra Spins
Multiplier stones add 1x or 2x to the base 1x win multiplier in the classic game. Several multiplier picks stack together, so the final value can improve before the first free spin begins.
Other stones add two, three, four, five or ten extra spins. Extra time is most useful when paired with wild reels or a strong multiplier. On its own, more spins can still produce a rather scenic tour of empty stones.
How to Play Secret of the Stones
Secret of the Stones follows a classic 25 payline structure. Set the total stake, spin for three oak scatters and use every earned stone pick before the free spins begin.
- 1
Set the total wager
Choose a stake from $0.25 to $125. The wide upper limit makes careful bankroll control important. - 2
Check the game version
Confirm that the help screen shows the classic 96.72% RTP if that is the version you want. The later MAX edition uses a different risk model. - 3
Spin all 25 paylines
Press spin and look for matching symbols from the leftmost reel. The druid Wild substitutes for regular symbols. - 4
Land three or more scatters
Three, four or five oak tree scatters trigger ten free spins and award the same number of stone picks. - 5
Choose the bonus stones
Pick from the 20 stones to collect extra spins, multipliers, wild reels or additional wild symbols for the feature.
Secret of the Stones Pros and Cons
Secret of the Stones has aged better than its plain base game suggests. The 96.72% RTP is a strong figure, and the 25 paylines keep wins easy to understand. Its stone picks add real variation before free spins, especially when wild reels combine with multipliers or extra symbols. The $0.25 minimum is accessible, while the $125 maximum also suits larger stakes. Still, the 2,500x classic cap is modest now, and a poor set of stones can make the bonus feel flat. It remains worth trying for players who enjoy bonuses that are configured before the first free spin.
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Classic RTP of 96.72% is above the broad market benchmark. - Each triggering scatter awards another stone pick.
- Wild reels can remain active for the full free spins round.
- Reported hit frequency of about 25.07% supports regular line results.
- Bet range from $0.25 to $125 covers several budget levels.
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The classic 2,500x ceiling is modest by modern standards. - Weak stone picks can leave the free spins round underpowered.
- The base game has little variety outside the scatter chase.
Secret of the Stones Final Thoughts
Secret of the Stones is carried by one very good idea. Letting every triggering scatter add a stone pick makes four or five scatters meaningfully better than three, and the chosen wild reels, multipliers and extra spins shape the whole bonus. Outside that round, the 25 line base game is functional but showing its age.
We recommend the classic version to players who value a 96.72% RTP and enjoy building a free spins setup before the reels start. Those chasing huge modern caps may find 2,500x too restrained. It is still worth a demo, particularly when the stones reveal more than decorative gravel.
FAQ
What is the RTP of Secret of the Stones?
The classic version has an RTP of 96.72%. The later MAX version uses different settings, so check the title and help screen at the casino.
How do free spins work?
Three or more oak tree scatters award ten free spins. You also receive one pick from 20 bonus stones for every scatter used to trigger the round.
What can the bonus stones reveal?
They can add free spins, raise the win multiplier, make reels two or four fully wild, or turn the deer and owl into wild symbols. All chosen modifiers remain active during the feature.
What is the maximum win?
The classic Secret of the Stones maximum is 2,500x the total stake. The separate MAX version has a higher ceiling and a different volatility profile.
How many paylines are available?
The game uses 25 paylines across five reels and three rows. Standard wins form from left to right.
Does Secret of the Stones have a bonus buy?
The original game does not include a standard bonus buy. Free spins must be triggered by landing at least three scatter symbols.
Players who enjoy Secret of the Stones can compare other NetEnt classics with selectable free spins modifiers, wild reels or medium volatility. Be careful not to confuse the original game with Secret of the Stones MAX.
