Break Away Deluxe Pros & Cons
Quick rundown of what works and what doesn't. The adjustable paylines and high RTP are solid, but the max win could be way better for a high volatility slot.
- 96.88% RTP beats the 96% industry average
- Adjustable paylines (18-88) for flexibility
- Rolling reels create multiple wins per spin
- 8x multiplier in free spins gets big
- Random smashing wild adds base game excitement
- High volatility means long losing streaks
- 3,200x max win is weak for high variance
- Lower RTP (96%) if you play fewer lines
- £44 max bet won't satisfy high-rollers
- No buy bonus feature available
Break Away Deluxe Slot Review: High-Speed Hockey Action Worth Your Time?
Break Away Deluxe is Stormcraft Studios' 2019 sequel to the original Break Away slot, and it's all about ice hockey. The game has 5 reels, 5 rows, and up to 88 paylines with a decent 96.88% RTP. Here at SlotsGamblers, we tested this hockey-themed slot to see if it delivers the big wins or just puts you on the bench.
The standout feature is the free spins round with growing wilds and an 8x multiplier, but there's also a rolling reels mechanic for consecutive wins and a random smashing wild in the base game. High volatility with a 3,200x max win means you're looking at bigger but less frequent payouts. The adjustable paylines are interesting because you can pick 18, 38, 68, or 88 lines, though playing 88 gives you the best RTP.
The hockey theme is done well with player symbols, referees, and equipment filling the reels. Graphics look sharp with an ice rink background, and the soundtrack won't drive you crazy. If you're into sports slots or high volatility gameplay, this one's worth checking out. Just don't expect life-changing jackpots with that 3,200x cap.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Stormcraft Studios (Microgaming) |
| Release Date | July 2019 |
| Reels X Rows | 5 X 5 |
| Paylines / Ways to Win | 18/38/68/88 (Adjustable) |
| RTP (Return to Player) | 96.88% (88 lines) / 96.00-96.18% (fewer lines) |
| Volatility Level | High |
| Min Bet | £0.18 |
| Max Bet | £44 |
| Max Win Potential | 3,200x |
| Hit Frequency | Not disclosed |
| Default Bet Range | £0.18 - £44 |
| Mobile Compatible | Yes (i0S & Android) |
Symbols & Payouts
8 main symbols plus wild and scatter. Players are high value, equipment is low value. The Break Away Deluxe logo is the wild, and the flaming puck is your scatter for free spins.
🔴 Red Jersey Player - High Value
The top-paying regular symbol in the game. Wins of 32.6x your stake when you land five make this guy your best friend on the reels. He's designed as an aggressive player mid-action, and the animation when he wins is slick. You'll want to see him frequently, and he appears more often than you'd expect for a premium symbol in high volatility.
⚪ White Jersey Player - High Value
Second-best paying player symbol. Five of these pay around 20x your bet based on the paytable structure. He's got similar animation quality to the red player and shows up at a decent frequency. During rolling reels, landing multiple white players can stack some solid wins together before the feature ends.
🟡 Yellow Jersey Player - Medium Value
Mid-tier player symbol paying around 12x for five. The yellow jersey makes him easy to spot on the reels. Design quality stays consistent with other player symbols - sharp graphics and smooth animations. He bridges the gap between premium and low-value symbols, creating those medium-sized wins that keep your balance steady.
👤 Referee Symbol - Medium Value
The ref pays similarly to the yellow player, around 10-12x for five. He's dressed in the classic black and white stripes and blows his whistle when part of a winning combo. Not the most exciting symbol, but necessary for filling out the paytable. Appears frequently enough to contribute to regular base game wins.
🥅 Goalie Mask - Low Value
First of the equipment symbols. Pays around 6-8x for five. The mask is detailed with red and white coloring and looks pretty cool against the ice background. These lower symbols hit often and help maintain your balance between bigger wins. They're essential for the rolling reels mechanic to keep chains going.
⛸️ Ice Skates - Low Value
Another equipment symbol paying similar to the goalie mask. The skates are rendered in detail with visible laces and blades. They show up constantly, so you'll rack up small wins from these regularly. Design is clean and fits the hockey theme perfectly without feeling like filler symbols.
🚜 Zamboni - Low Value
The ice resurfacer machine rounds out the low-value symbols. Pays 4-6x for five. It's a fun touch adding the Zamboni instead of generic card symbols. Shows up frequently and contributes to those cascading wins during rolling reels. The animation when it's part of a win is subtle but effective.
🎰 Break Away Deluxe Logo - Wild
The wild appears as Super Stacked in base game on reels 3, 4, and 5. Substitutes for everything except scatter. During free spins, wilds occur on reels 2-5 and turn into Super Stacked Growing Wilds, meaning a new wild is added to the stack with every spin. This is where the big money comes from because stacked growing wilds can fill entire reels and trigger massive combinations.
🔥 Flaming Puck - Scatter
Jack symbol rendered in green with Asian typography. Five jacks pay 25 coins, making it the lowest-paying symbol. You'll see these all the time. They fill out losing spins with occasional small wins to extend your session.
| Symbol | 5 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 3 of a Kind | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Red Jersey Player
|
15x | 6x | Highest paying regular | |
|
White Jersey Player
|
10x | 4x | Second highest | |
|
Yellow Jersey Player
|
6x | 2.5x | Medium value | |
|
Referee
|
5x | 2x | Medium value | |
|
Goalie Mask
|
3x | 1.5x | Low value | |
|
Ice Skates
|
2.5x | 1x | Low value | |
|
Zamboni
|
2x | 0.8x | Lowest regular | |
|
Wild (Logo)
|
Substitute | Substitute | Substitute | Super stacked, growing in free spins |
|
Scatter (Puck)
|
10x total bet | 5x total bet | Triggers 12 free spins |
Bonus Features
Two main features - the random smashing wild in base game and the free spins bonus with growing wilds plus multipliers. Rolling reels are active throughout both.
| Feature Name | Trigger Method | Description | Max Potential | Frequency | Re-trigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rolling Reels
|
After any win | Winning symbols removed, new symbols drop | Multiple consecutive wins | Very Common | Continuous |
|
Smashing Wild
|
Random in base game | Turns 1 wild reel (reels 2, 3, or 4) | Guaranteed win + rolling reels | Medium | No |
|
Free Spins
|
12 free spins with growing wilds | 3, 200x with 8x multiplier | Rare | Yes (same trigger) | |
|
Multiplier Trail
|
During free spins | 2x - 3x - 4x 5x - 8x per rolling reel | 8x on 5th consecutive roll | Common in bonus | Each roll increases it |
|
Growing Wilds
|
Free spins only | Wilds grow +1 per spin on reels 2-5 | Full reel coverage | Guaranteed | Every spin |
RTP & Volatility
96.88% RTP when playing all 88 paylines. Drop to fewer lines and your RTP decreases to around 96%. Stick with max lines for the best return.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
|
Min Bet
|
£0.18 |
|
Max Bet
|
£44 |
|
Max Win (total)
|
|
|
Max Win (£44 bet)
|
£140,800 |
|
RTP %
|
|
|
Volatility
|
High |
Mobile
Yeah, it works great on mobile. HTML5 design adapts to available space, keeping reels central and controls within thumb reach. We tested on iPhone and Android - no issues. Graphics stay sharp, buttons are easy to tap, and the 5x5 grid fits nicely on smaller screens.
Tips:
Here are some practical tips from our testing:
Always play 88 paylines
RTP increases to 96.88% on max lines versus 96.00% on fewer. That difference matters long-term.
Budget for the volatility
Bring 100-150x your bet size minimum. SlotsGamblers recommends £50-100 bankroll if you're betting £0.50-£1 per spin.
Watch for rolling reel chains
If you hit 3-4 consecutive wins in base game, the payouts compound fast. Don't stop a hot streak.
Free spins are key
The base game is steady but the bonus round is where big wins happen. Be patient waiting for scatters.
Use autoplay for dry spells
When you're 100+ spins without a bonus, autoplay helps you grind through faster without getting bored.
Similar Games
If you like Break Away Deluxe, check out these alternatives:
Break Away
The 2012 original with 243 ways to win instead of adjustable paylines. Lower max win but similar hockey theme and rolling reels mechanic.
Break Away Lucky Wilds
Newest in the series with 96.89% RTP and high volatility, adding lucky wild modifiers for different gameplay feel.
Ice Hockey (Playtech)
Another hockey slot, but lower volatility and different feature set. Good if you want the theme without the high variance swings.
Champions of Valhalla (Stormcraft Studios)
Same developer, similar high-action feel but Viking theme. High volatility with big win potential if you like Stormcraft's style.
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
How do the adjustable paylines work in Break Away Deluxe?
You can pick 18, 38, 68, or 88 paylines before spinning. More lines mean higher total bets but also higher RTP - 88 lines gives you 96.88% while fewer lines drop to 96%. Always play 88 if your budget allows it.
What's the max multiplier you can hit in free spins?
8x multiplier from the fifth consecutive rolling reel win onwards. It starts at 2x and increases with each cascade until hitting 8x, where it stays for the rest of your free spins.
Why do the growing wilds appear on different reels in base game vs free spins?
Base game wilds are super stacked on reels 3-5, but during free spins they're on reels 2-5 and grow taller with each spin. Stormcraft did this to expand wild coverage during the bonus and boost win potential.
Can you retrigger the free spins bonus?
Yeah, landing 3+ scatters during your 12 free spins awards another 12 spins. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, your growing wilds reset and start building again from the beginning.
Is Break Away Deluxe better than the original Break Away slot?
Deluxe has adjustable paylines, a 5x5 grid instead of 5x3, higher RTP (96.88% vs 96.42%), and a bigger max win. The original has 243 ways to win and might feel simpler. Honestly, Deluxe is the better version overall, but try both to see what you prefer.
How often does the smashing wild feature trigger?
It's totally random, so there's no set frequency. We've had it show up 2-3 times in 30 spins, and other times we went 120+ spins without seeing it. When it hits, it guarantees a win and locks that wild reel for any rolling reels that follow.
What's a realistic win to expect from the free spins bonus?
Depends on the multipliers and rolling reels. Low-end bonuses can pay 20-40x your bet. Decent bonuses with some multiplier action hit 80-150x. If you get lucky with 8x multipliers and full wild reels, 300-500x is possible. The 3,200x max requires near-perfect conditions and doesn't hit often.
Should beginners play Break Away Deluxe?
Nah, high volatility makes this rough for newcomers with smaller budgets. SlotsGamblers recommends starting with medium volatility slots where your money lasts longer and you learn the game flow better. Once you're comfortable handling variance swings, then give this a try.