Sticky Bandits Pros & Cons
Sticky Bandits does the Wild West theme well, and the Massive Wild feature creates good action. The sticky wilds during free spins are where the real money comes from.
- Massive Wilds cover entire reels (2x5)
- Sticky Wilds during free spins boost wins
- Clean Western theme without being tacky
- 26% hit frequency keeps action flowing
- Free spins retrigger up to 90 total spins
- 95.69% RTP below industry standard
- Max win 1,470x is weak vs modern slots
- Only one bonus feature can feel repetitive
- €0.30 min bet higher than budget slots
- Medium-high volatility = dry spells
Sticky Bandits Slot Review: Wild West Wilds & Sticky Free Spins
Quickspin's Sticky Bandits takes you to the Wild West with bandits, sheriffs, and massive wilds that stick around. Released in 2017, this slot focuses on one standout mechanic - the Massive Wild feature that covers entire reels. Here at SlotsGamblers, we tested it and found the 95.69% RTP a bit below average, but the sticky wilds during free spins make up for it. The max win sits at 1,470x your bet, so this isn't going to change your life, but it's solid for medium-budget players who like consistent action.
The game features 5 reels, 30 fixed paylines, and medium-high volatility. You'll see decent wins regularly, though big hits require patience. The theme delivers classic Western vibes without overdoing the cowboy clichés. It's built for players who want straightforward gameplay with one feature done well rather than ten features done poorly.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Quickspin |
| Release Date | May 2017 |
| Reels X Rows | 5x 3 |
| Paylines | 30 (fixed) |
| RTP | 95.69% |
| Volatility | Medium-High |
| Min Bet | €0.30 |
| Max Bet | €90 |
| Max Win | 1,470x bet |
| Hit Frequency | ~26% |
| Default Bet Range | €0.30 - €90 |
| Mobile Compatible . | Yes |
Symbols & Payouts
9 symbols total - 5 character symbols and 4 card symbols. The bandits and the sheriff are detailed with personality, while the cards are simple playing card suits. Wild lands on reels 2, 3, and 4 only during the base game, and on all reels during free spins.
🤠 Red Bandit - High Value
The red-bearded bandit is your top-paying regular symbol. He's drawn with an angry scowl and a red bandana covering his face. Five of these pay 333x your line bet (not total bet), so landing a full line nets you solid cash. The animation shows him pulling out a gun when you win, adding a nice touch to the Western theme.
👱 Blonde Bandit - High Value
The blonde female outlaw with a black hat pays 233x for five on a line. She's got a confident smirk and looks like she runs the gang. The design is sharp with good detail on her face and clothing. You'll see her fairly often since high-value symbols appear regularly in this medium-high volatility setup.
🎩 Top Hat Bandit - Medium Value
This slick-looking bandit wears a fancy top hat and pays 200x for five symbols. He's got a mustache and looks more like a poker player than a rough outlaw. The character design adds variety to the bandit crew and delivers decent mid-tier wins when he appears in combos.
👮 Sheriff - Medium Value
The lawman pays 166x for five symbols and looks stern with his badge and hat. He's the antagonist chasing the bandits, so seeing him feels a bit ironic since you want him on the reels. The design is clean, and he stands out among the outlaw symbols.
🎰 Wild Symbol - Special
The big golden "WILD" badge substitutes for all symbols except scatters. In the base game, it only lands on reels 2, 3, and 4 as a Massive Wild (2x5) covering the entire reel. During free spins, it appears on all reels and sticks in place for all remaining spins. This is where the game's potential lies.
🌵 Scatter Symbol - Special
A wanted poster with "WANTED" written in red letters triggers free spins. You need 3, 4, or 5 scatters anywhere to activate 10 free spins. The poster design is recognizable but straightforward, and you'll want to see at least three of these to unlock the bonus round where sticky wilds shine.
🃏 Card Symbols (A, K, Q, J) - Low Value
Standard playing card symbols designed to look like they're made from old wood. Ace pays 83x, King pays 66x, Queen pays 50x, and Jack pays 33x for five of a kind. These show up constantly and create small wins that keep your balance from tanking too fast.
| Symbol | 5 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 3 of a Kind | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Red Bandit
|
333x line bet | 100x | 33x | Highest paying symbol |
|
Blonde Bandit
|
233x line bet | 66x | 20x | Second highest |
|
Top Hat Bandit
|
200x line bet | 50x | 16x | Third highest |
|
Sheriff
|
166x line bet | 40x | 13x | Fourth highest |
|
Wild
|
- | - | - | Substitutes all except scatter |
|
Scatter
|
- | - | - | Triggers free spins |
|
Ace (A)
|
83x line bet | 26x | 10x | High card |
|
King (K)
|
66x line bet | 20x | 6x | Low value |
|
Queen (Q)
|
50x line bet | 16x | 6x | Low value |
|
Jack (J)
|
33x line bet | 10x | 3x | Lowest value |
Bonus Features
Two features here - the Massive Wild in the base game and the free spins with sticky wilds.
| Feature Name | Trigger Method | Description | Max Potential | Frequency | Re-trigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Massive Wild
|
Random during base game | Wild expands to 2x5 size covering entire reel | Varies | Common | No |
|
Free Spins
|
3+ scatter symbols | 10 free spins with sticky wilds | 1,470x bet | Medium | Yes (10 more spins per retrigger) |
RTP & Volatility
The 95.69% RTP is below standard for modern slots. Medium-high volatility means regular small-to-medium wins with bigger hits requiring patience.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Min Bet
|
€0.30 |
|
Max Bet
|
€90 |
|
Max Win
|
€132,300 (1,470x at max bet) |
|
RTP
|
95.69% |
|
Volatility
|
Medium-High |
Mobile
Works perfectly on mobile—iOS and Android both run smoothly. Touch controls are responsive, and the game scales well to smaller screens. No issues.
Tips:
Here's what actually helps when playing Sticky Bandits:
Budget for volatility
Medium-high variance means dry spells happen. Bring enough bankroll to survive 50-100 spins without hitting free spins.
Free spins are everything
Base game pays okay, but the sticky wilds during bonus rounds create the real wins. Don't expect massive base game hits.
Retriggers matte
SlotsGamblers recommends staying patient during the bonus. Early sticky wilds are nice, but retriggers that add more spins create the most significant wins.
Watch the RTP
At 95.69%, this slot gives back less than most. Don't play long sessions expecting to break even—the house edge is higher here.
Max bet isn't worth it
€90 per spin is steep for only 1,470x max win potential. Stick to €1-€5 bets for better value.
Similar Games
Dead or Alive II
Also a Wild West theme, but with way higher volatility and a bigger max win (100,000x). Better for bonus hunters.
Deadwood
Nolimit City's Western slot with 76,527x potential and more complex features. Makes Sticky Bandits feel tame.
Bounty Raid
Red Tiger's cowboy slot with better RTP (96.14%) and an expanding reels mechanic.
The Great Train Heist
NetEnt's Western with 7 reels and cluster plays: different style but similar theme.
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 do the Massive Wilds only land on reels 2, 3, and 4 during the base game?
Quickspin limited it to keep the base game from paying too often. If those 2x5 wilds covered all reels, they'd have to drop the RTP or max win to compensate.
How many sticky wilds can you get during free spins?
Technically, you could fill all 15 positions if you get lucky, but you'll end up with 4-8 sticky wilds by the end of 10 spins. Retriggers help you stack more.
Can you retrigger free spins multiple times?
Yeah, you can. Each retrigger adds 10 more spins and keeps all existing sticky wilds in place. The maximum is 90 total spins if you keep hitting 3+ scatters.
Is the 95.69% RTP fixed or does it vary by casino?
Fixed at 95.69% - Quickspin doesn't offer multiple RTP versions for this slot, so you get the same return everywhere.
What's the best symbol to see as a sticky wild?
Honestly, it doesn't matter which symbol the wild substitutes for. The wild itself creates the wins by connecting symbols across paylines, so more wilds = more cash regardless.
How does Sticky Bandits compare to Dead or Alive?
Dead or Alive is way more volatile with better max win potential (100,000x in DOAII vs 1,470x here). Sticky Bandits has more frequent action but smaller payouts. Depends on whether you want consistent medium wins or rare massive hits.
Why is the max win so low compared to modern slots?
Game came out in 2017 when 1,000x-2,000x max wins were standard. Nowadays, slots hit 10,000x or higher, making Sticky Bandits feel weak. Quickspin hasn't updated it.
Does the Massive Wild appear more often on certain reels?
Nah, it hits reels 2, 3, and 4 with equal frequency. No pattern to exploit - it's random number generation doing its thing.