San Quentin: Slot Overview
San Quentin is a 5-reel, 243 ways to win slot that can expand to offer over 46,000 ways to win. The game is set inside the infamous San Quentin State Prison, with a dark and gritty atmosphere that perfectly captures the theme. As I loaded up the game, I was immediately struck by the attention to detail in the graphics and sound design.
The base game takes place on a 5×3 grid, but this can expand dramatically during bonus features. Bets range from €0.20 to €32 per spin, making it suitable for both casual players and high rollers. The maximum win potential is a staggering 150,000x your stake, which is among the highest I’ve seen in online slots.
NoLimit City
NoLimit City has built a reputation for creating innovative and often controversial slots. San Quentin is no exception, pushing boundaries with its theme and gameplay mechanics. The developer is known for its high-volatility games and unique features like xWays and xNudge, both of which are present in San Quentin.
Other popular NoLimit City slots include Deadwood, Punk Rocker, and Book of Shadows. San Quentin, however, stands out as one of their most ambitious and potentially rewarding games to date.
San Quentin: Symbols & Payouts
The symbols in San Quentin are split into low-paying and high-paying categories:
Low-paying symbols:
- Toilet roll
- Handcuffs
- Shiv (makeshift knife)
- Lighter
- Bar of soap
High-paying symbols:
- Beefy Dick
- Biker Bill
- Crazy Joe
- Heinrich 3rd
- Loco Luis
The highest-paying symbol is Loco Luis, offering 5x your stake for five of a kind. While this might seem low, remember that the game’s real potential lies in its special features and expanding reels.
| Symbol | 5 of a kind payout |
|---|---|
| Loco Luis | 5x |
| Heinrich 3rd | 4x |
| Crazy Joe | 3.5x |
| Biker Bill | 3x |
| Beefy Dick | 2.5x |
Game Bonuses & Special Features
San Quentin is packed with special features that can lead to massive wins:
Enhancer Cells
These are additional symbol positions above and below the main reels. When activated, they can reveal high-paying symbols, wilds, or trigger special features.
xWays
This feature can land in the Enhancer Cells, revealing 2-4 matching symbols and increasing the number of ways to win.
Split Wilds
These wilds split all symbols on the same reel, effectively doubling the number of symbols and increasing win potential.
Lockdown Spins (Free Spins)
Triggered by landing 3 or more scatter symbols. You’ll receive 1-3 Jumping Wilds depending on the number of scatters. These wilds move to a new position each spin and can increase their multiplier when landing on split symbols.
Bonus Buy
For players outside the UK, there’s an option to buy directly into the bonus round. This can cost between 100x and 2000x your stake, depending on the number of scatters and Jumping Wilds you want to start with.
RTP and Volatility
San Quentin has an RTP (Return to Player) of 96.03%, which is about average for online slots. However, it’s worth noting that 58.74% of this return comes from the base game, while 37.29% is from the free spins feature.
The volatility is extremely high, even by NoLimit City standards. This means you can expect long periods without significant wins, but when the features align, the payouts can be enormous. During my testing, I experienced several dry spells but also hit a few wins over 500x my stake.
San Quentin: Slot Verdict
San Quentin is not a slot for the faint-hearted. Its gritty theme and extreme volatility won’t appeal to everyone, but for those seeking high-risk, high-reward gameplay, it’s a must-try. The potential 150,000x max win is incredibly alluring, even if it’s unlikely to be hit.
I found the base game to be quite tough, with most of my significant wins coming from the Lockdown Spins feature. The xWays and Split Wilds can create some exciting moments, but patience is key with this slot.
Overall, San Quentin showcases NoLimit City’s ability to create unique, feature-rich slots with massive potential. Just remember to manage your bankroll carefully given the high volatility.
You can try the San Quentin demo right here on CasinoShark to get a feel for the game before playing for real money. If you’re ready to take the plunge, you can play San Quentin for real money at these top-rated online casinos:
FAQs
The RTP of San Quentin is 96.03%.
The maximum win potential in San Quentin is 150,000x your stake.
Yes, the free spins feature is called Lockdown Spins and is triggered by landing 3 or more scatter symbols.
Yes, San Quentin is fully optimised for mobile play on both iOS and Android devices.
Yes, there is a bonus buy feature available for players outside the UK. It allows you to buy directly into the Lockdown Spins feature.