Jack Hammer 2 Pros & Cons
Jack Hammer 2 shines with its player-friendly RTP but falls short on excitement for bonus hunters. The sticky win mechanic delivers constant action, though max wins won't impress anyone chasing big jackpots.
- 97.1% RTP crushes industry average
- Sticky wins trigger constantly
- Free spins have increasing multipliers up to 6x
- Comic book graphics age well
- Hit frequency around 25% keeps action moving
- 990x max win is pretty weak
- $0.50 minimum bet too high for penny players
- Gets repetitive - only one main feature
- No buy bonus option
- Low-medium volatility won't thrill risk-takers
Jack Hammer 2: Fishy Business - Slot Review
Jack Hammer 2 is NetEnt's 2012 sequel to their comic book detective slot, and here at SlotsGamblers, we tested it to see if it's still worth playing in 2025. The standout feature is the sticky win mechanic - winning symbols freeze in place and trigger re-spins until no new wins land. It's simple but addictive.
The 1920s noir theme works well with hand-drawn comic book graphics and a jazzy soundtrack. You're helping detective Jack Hammer take down Don Crabby and his gang of fishy criminals. The story unfolds through comic panels between bonus rounds, so there's actual narrative here instead of just spinning reels.
What grabbed our attention immediately is the 97.1% RTP—that's way above the industry average and rare for a branded game. You'll get your money back more often than most slots. The downside? Max win is only 990x, so you won't hit life-changing money here. This is a grind-it-out slot where your balance lasts and small wins stack up over time.
We tested this on both desktop and mobile. The sticky wins feature triggers constantly because it only needs 3+ matching symbols anywhere on screen. You're not waiting around for bonuses - something's always happening. Free spins take a bit longer to hit, but once you get them, the sticky wins really shine with increasing multipliers.
NetEnt built this for players who want steady action over big jackpot dreams. If you get frustrated during prolonged dry spells on high volatility slots, Jack Hammer 2 might be your speed. The low to medium variance keeps things moving, and the 97.1% RTP means the house edge is tiny compared to most games.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | NetEnt |
| Release Date | September 2012 |
| Reels x Rows | 5x3 |
| Paylines | 99 (fixed) |
| RTP | 97.1% |
| Volatility | Low-Medium |
| Min Bet | $0.50 |
| Max Bet | $250 |
| Max Win | 990x |
| Hit Frequency | ~25% |
| Default Bet Range | 250 |
| Mobile Compatible | Yes |
Symbols & Payouts
12 symbols total - 8 character symbols and 4 low-value tools. Characters are drawn in a comic-book style, with bold outlines and vintage colors. Wild only appears during free spins, and scatter activates the bonus.
💎 Jack Hammer - High Value
The detective himself is the top-paying symbol here. Jack's drawn in his signature fedora and trench coat with a determined expression. Five Jack symbols pay 1,000 coins, and the sticky win feature means you can stack multiple winning combos with him on screen. The design looks good, with clean lines and shading. You'll want to see this guy often, since he's your best bet for decent payouts.
🐟 Don Crabby - High Value
The villainous crab mob boss pays 750 coins for five of a kind. He's depicted as a red crab in a pinstripe suit, smoking a cigar—classic gangster look—second-highest payer after Jack. The character design has personality with beady eyes and a menacing grin. Lands frequently enough that you'll build wins with him regularly.
👱 Pearl - High Value
The blonde lounge singer pays 500 coins for five matches. She's drawn in classic 1920s flapper style with pearls and blonde curls. Third-tier high-value symbol that shows up fairly often. The design is elegant, with good detailing on the jewelry and dress. Wins with Pearl help pad your balance between bigger Jack Hammer hits.
🦈 Hammerhead Shark - Medium Value
This goon pays 400 coins for five symbols. He's a shark in a suit and tie, looking menacing—one of Don Crabby's henchmen in the story. Design is solid with good shading on the shark features. Medium value symbol that contributes to multi-line wins when sticky wins trigger.
🐙 Octopus Thug - Medium Value
Pays 300 coins for five matches. An octopus gangster in a vest and fedora. Another member of Don Crabby's crew with eight tentacle arms. Character design is creative and fits the fishy mob theme. Shows up regularly in sticky win combinations.
🐠 Fish Goon - Medium Value
This generic fish criminal pays 200 coins for a five-of-a-kind—basic mobster fish in a suit. Lower-tier character symbol, but still contributes to winning combos—simple design but clear and recognizable on the reels.
🔫 Revolver - Low Value
Jack's trusty gun pays 150 coins for five matches. Simple icon design in black and white with good detail. The tool symbol that appears most frequently on reels. Not exciting, but these low-value symbols fill out winning lines regularly.
💣 Bomb - Low Value
Pays 100 coins for five symbols. Classic round black bomb with a lit fuse. Another tool icon in Jack's arsenal. Shows up constantly and combines with other symbols during sticky win streaks.
📞 Telephone - Low Value
An old rotary phone costs 75 coins for five matches. Drawn in vintage style appropriate to the 1920s theme. A common symbol that helps create multi-line payouts when sticky wins are active.
🔦 Flashlight - Low Value
Detective's flashlight pays 50 coins for five symbols. Lowest paying regular symbol, but appears most frequently. Simple design that's easy to spot. These combine with higher-value symbols during re-spins to build total wins.
🎰 Wild Symbol - Special
Only appears during free spins and substitutes for all symbols except scatter. Shows up as a bomb icon with "WILD" written on it. When it lands, it sticks in place for the remaining free spins. Can create multiple winning combos across different paylines. The wild is crucial for maximizing free spin payouts since it completes lines you wouldn't hit otherwise.
⭐ Scatter Symbol - Special
The electric eel symbol triggers free spins when you land 5 or more anywhere on screen. More scatters mean more free spins - 5 gives you 10 spins, 6 gives 13, 7 gives 16, and so on. Design shows a glowing blue electric eel crackling with energy. Landing these opens comic panels that advance the story and start the bonus round.
| Symbol | 5 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 3 of a Kind | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack Hammer
|
1,000 coins | 200 coins | 40 coins | Top payer |
|
Don Crabby
|
750 coins | 150 coins | 30 coins | Second highest |
|
Pearl
|
500 coins | 100 coins | 20 coins | High value |
|
Hammerhead
|
400 coins | 80 coins | 15 coins | Medium value |
|
Octopus
|
300 coins | 60 coins | 12 coins | Medium value |
|
Fish Goon
|
200 coins | 40 coins | 10 coins | Medium value |
|
Revolver
|
150 coins | 30 coins | 8 coins | Low value |
|
Bomb
|
100 coins | 20 coins | 6 coins | Low value |
|
Telephone
|
75 coins | 15 coins | 5 coins | Low value |
|
Flashlight
|
50 coins | 10 coins | 3 coins | Lowest payer |
|
Wild
|
N/A | N/A | N/A | Free spins only, substitutes all |
|
Scatter
|
N/A | N/A | N/A | 5+ triggers free spins |
Bonus Features
Two main features here - the sticky win re-spins that trigger in the base game and free spins with multipliers. The sticky wins are the heart of the game and happen constantly.
| Feature Name | Trigger Method | Description | Max Potential | Frequency | Re-trigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sticky Wins
|
3+ matching symbols | Winning symbols freeze, reels re-spin until no new wins | Varies | Very Common (~25% of spins) | Yes, continues until no wins |
|
Free Spins
|
5+ scatter symbols | 10-20 free spins with sticky wins and wilds | 990x total | Rare (~1 in 200 spins) | Yes, 5+ scatters retrigger |
|
Increasing Multiplier
|
During free spins only | Multiplier increases 1x per sticky win level, max 6x | 6x multiplier | Only in free spins | N/A |
RTP & Volatility
97.1% RTP is the big selling point here. Low to medium volatility means steady action without large swings. Max win of 990x won't change your life, but it's achievable.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
|
Min Bet
|
$0.50 |
|
Max Bet
|
$250 |
|
Max Win
|
$247,500 (990x on max bet) |
|
RTP %
|
97.1% |
|
Volatility
|
Low-Medium |
|
Hit Frequency
|
~25% |
Mobile
Works perfectly on mobile with no performance issues. We tested on iPhone and Android—smooth gameplay, responsive touch controls, and all features work exactly like on desktop. NetEnt optimized the interface for smaller screens with clear buttons and readable paytables.
Loading is instant, even on 4G connections—graphics scale well without looking pixelated or cramped. The sticky win animations play smoothly without lag. Battery drain is reasonable for a slot game. Landscape mode works best for seeing all 99 paylines clearly.
Tips & Strategy
Start with minimum bets
The sticky wins trigger so often that you'll see the feature plenty at $0.50 spins—no need to bet big initially.
Let sticky wins play out
Don't get impatient and hit spin again. The re-spins are automatic and can chain together for bigger payouts if you wait.
Target free spins
Base game is steady, but free spins with multipliers deliver your best wins. Those 6x multipliers on character symbols during sticky wins are where real money happens.
Watch your bankroll
Despite the high RTP, 99 fixed paylines at $0.50 minimum bets mean each spin costs more than in penny slots. Budget accordingly.
SlotsGamblers recommends longer sessions
The high RTP and frequent wins favor extended play over quick hit-and-run. The house edge is so slight that grinding for an hour or two gives you better odds than most slots.
Similar Games
Jack Hammer (original)
The first game has 97% RTP and similar sticky win mechanics, but only 25 paylines—simpler but same vibe.
Dead or Alive 2
Also NetEnt with a high RTP (96.8%) and sticky wins during free spins, but with way higher volatility. Better for risk-takers.
The Invisible Man
Another NetEnt comic-style slot with 96.4% RTP and walking wilds. Different features but similar art style and feel.
Scrooge
NetEnt again with 96.5% RTP and re-spins. Fewer paylines (20) but comparable low-medium variance and steady action.
Play Responsibly - 18+ Only
Gambling should be entertaining and fun. Remember that slots are games of chance, and there's no guaranteed way to win. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose, and always set limits for yourself. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, please seek help immediately.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jack Hammer 2's RTP so much higher than most slots?
NetEnt built this as a player-retention slot back in 2012. The 97.1% RTP keeps players spinning longer, which casinos love because it means more time on site. They balanced the high RTP by capping max wins at 990x instead of offering huge jackpots.
How often do the sticky wins actually trigger?
About 25% of spins hit a win, and every win activates sticky re-spins. So you're getting the feature roughly one in four spins. Way more frequent than most bonus features that trigger once per 100-200 spins.
Can you get more than one sticky win chain in the same spin?
Nah, it's one sticky win sequence per spin. Once re-spins stop producing new matching symbols, all frozen symbols pay out, and symbols drop normally again. You start fresh on the next spin.
How many free spins do you typically get when the bonus triggers?
You need 5 scatters for 10 spins, 6 scatters for 13 spins, 7 for 16 spins. Most players hit 5-6 scatters when it triggers, so expect 10-13 free spins. Landing 7+ scatters is rare.
What's the maximum multiplier you can hit during free spins?
6x is the cap. The multiplier increases by 1x each time a sticky win triggers during free spins. The first sticky win is 1x, the second is 2x, and so on. If you chain six sticky win rounds in one free spin session, you'll hit that 6x multiplier.
Is Jack Hammer 2 better than the original Jack Hammer?
Depends on what you want. Jack Hammer 2 has 99 paylines, up from 25 in the original, plus free spin multipliers. RTP is slightly higher too (97.1% vs 97%). We tested both and prefer the sequel for more frequent action, though some players like the simplicity of the first game.
Why is the max win only 990x when most slots offer 5,000x or more?
Trade-off for that 97.1% RTP. NetEnt couldn't offer both crazy jackpots AND player-friendly return rates. They chose consistency over explosive potential. You get your money back more often, but you won't hit life-changing wins.
Can you retrigger free spins during the bonus round?
Yeah, landing 5+ scatters during free spins adds more spins to your total. It's tough to retrigger since you need at least five scatters, but it happens occasionally. The multiplier continues to increase when you retrigger, so you can push past 6x if you chain multiple free spin rounds.