Game Information
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Provider
Elk Studios
Type
Slots
Release Date
May 5, 2020
Reels
6
RTP
96.1
Volatility
5
Max Exposure
500000
Min Bet
0.2
Max Bet
100
Max Win per Spin
500000
Black River Gold Slot: Comprehensive Data Analysis
Core Game Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | ELK Studios |
| Release Date | May 6, 2020 |
| Theme | Western, Gold rush, Adventure |
| Layout | 6 reels, 4–8 rows (expanding via Avalanche) |
| Paylines | 4,096 to 262,144 ways to win |
| Bet Range | 0.2 to 100 |
| Core Mechanics | Avalanche (expanding rows), Big symbols (up to 4×4), Revolver feature (big symbols absorb below and can turn wild), Wild Compass (turns matching symbols wild), Free Drops bonus with sticky wilds and safety level expansion |
| Technology | HTML5, mobile‑optimized |
| Series | Fourth in ELK Studios’ Gold Series |
Mathematical & Payout Model
Return to Player (RTP)
96.1%
Volatility
High
Max Win Potential
5000x
Symbols & Paytable Hierarchy
| Tier | Symbol(s) | Function & Value |
|---|---|---|
| Low Tier | J, Q, K, A | Provides small, frequent wins to maintain gameplay. |
| Mid Tier | Whiskey glass, Sheriff’s star, Choker (necklace) | Thematic items offering moderate payouts. |
| High Tier | Kane (hero), Diamond, Gold nugget, Turquoise/emerald | Highest paying symbols. Top hits available with full combinations. |
| Wild | Wild Compass symbol (also wild) | Acts as a substitute / feature trigger per game rules. |
| Scatter | Bonus (safe) symbol | Triggers free spins / bonus round when enough appear. |
Black River Gold Bonus Features Mechanics
| Feature | Trigger | Initial Award | Core Mechanic | Enhancement/Retrigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Drops bonus | 3–6 Bonus (scatter) symbols | 10–25 free spins | Each win adds a row (safety level), rows don’t reset; wilds become sticky | Can retrigger, up to 50 free spins total |
| Revolver | Big symbol with empty spaces beneath | Absorbs symbols below into revolver; when full, becomes wild | ||
| Wild Compass | Landing Wild Compass symbol | Turns matching symbols across it into wilds; becomes wild if reaches bottom row |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| What is the RTP of Black River Gold? | The RTP is 96.1%. |
| What is the maximum win multiplier? | You can win up to 5000× your stake. |
| How many ways to win are there? | The game starts with 4,096 ways and can expand up to 262,144 ways via Avalanches. |
| What special features does the game include? | It includes Avalanche expanding rows, big symbols, Revolver, Wild Compass, and a Free Drops bonus with sticky wilds. |
| What is the volatility level? | The slot is high volatility. |
| What is the bet range? | You can bet from 0.2 to 100 per spin. |
| Can the Free Drops bonus be retriggered? | Yes, landing 3 or more bonus symbols during Free Drops retriggers the feature, potentially up to 50 free spins. |
Black River Gold Performance Summary: Strengths vs. Weaknesses
Strengths
- Rich, thematic Western design
- Innovative mechanics (Revolver, Wild Compass, expanding rows)
- High max win potential (5000×)
- Mobile‑optimized HTML5 build
Weaknesses
- High volatility may deter risk‑averse players
- Hit frequency not specified (wins may be infrequent)
Overview
Black River Gold is the fourth installment in ELK Studios’ Gold Series. Set in a Wild West–inspired frontier, it features expanding Avalanche reels up to 8 rows, big symbols, Wild Compass, Revolver mechanics, sticky wilds, and a Free Drops bonus with increasing safety levels.
Rachel Pine is our slots expert who has worked in the online gambling industry for 10+ years. Over the course of her career, Rachel has reviewed more than 30,000 slots.
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