Hand of Anubis Slot Review 2025: Play Hacksaw Gaming’s Dark Egyptian Masterpiece for Real Money

Ancient Egypt has inspired countless online slots, yet few dare to explore the darker side of this fascinating civilization. Hand of Anubis by Hacksaw Gaming shatters convention with its brooding underworld aesthetic and innovative multiplier mechanics. This isn’t your typical golden pyramid adventure—it’s a descent into the realm of the jackal-headed god who weighs souls in the afterlife.

Released in April 2022, Hand of Anubis quickly established itself as a fan favorite among high-volatility enthusiasts. With a 10,000x maximum win, dual bonus features, and the mesmerizing Soul Orb multiplier system, this slot delivers the kind of tension and reward potential that keeps experienced players coming back. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dissect every feature, analyze the mathematics, and reveal the best casinos where you can experience Hand of Anubis for real money.

Hand of Anubis Slot Overview

Where most Egyptian-themed slots bask in warm golden hues and cheerful pharaoh imagery, Hand of Anubis embraces darkness. Hacksaw Gaming crafted an atmosphere that feels genuinely unsettling—two towering jackal-headed deities flank the reels, their eyes glowing red and blue as they oversee your fate. The background reveals a shadowy pyramid silhouette against an ominous sky, setting the stage for what feels less like a treasure hunt and more like a trial before the gods.

The visual design draws heavily from Egyptian funerary mythology. Anubis, the god responsible for mummification and guiding souls to the underworld, serves as more than mere decoration here. His presence permeates every aspect of the game, from the Soul Orb wilds to the aptly named Underworld and Judgement bonus rounds. Hacksaw’s artists deserve credit for creating something that stands completely apart from competitors like Book of Dead or Eye of Horus.

Sonically, Hand of Anubis matches its visual intensity. Deep, resonant drums punctuate wins while ambient drones create persistent tension during base game spins. The audio escalates dramatically during bonus features, with orchestral swells accompanying major multiplier hits. This atmospheric commitment extends to the 5x6 grid layout, which uses the cluster pays system rather than traditional paylines—a mechanic that complements the game’s modern, innovative feel.

Key Technical Specifications

Understanding Hand of Anubis requires familiarity with its core mathematics. Hacksaw Gaming designed this slot for players who appreciate high-risk, high-reward gameplay.

The RTP of 96.24% represents the highest available setting, though operators can select lower configurations. Always verify which RTP version your chosen casino offers before playing. The 36% hit frequency means you’ll see winning clusters roughly every third spin on average, though the high volatility ensures most wins remain modest while significant payouts occur rarely.

Mobile compatibility is seamless across iOS and Android devices. Hacksaw Gaming optimized Hand of Anubis using HTML5 technology, ensuring smooth performance whether you’re playing on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer.

Symbols and Paytable

Hand of Anubis employs a straightforward symbol hierarchy divided between premium and standard categories. The premium symbols draw from Egyptian iconography: the Ankh with Red Gem serves as the highest-paying regular symbol, followed by the Snake, Triangle, Eye of Horus, and Bird motifs. Each appears as jeweled hieroglyphic tokens set against gold backgrounds, providing visual contrast against the darker game environment.

Standard symbols use stylized playing card values—Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten—rendered in the same ancient Egyptian aesthetic. While these pay less than premium symbols, they appear more frequently and contribute to cluster formations.

Cluster payouts scale based on connected symbol count. Landing 5 matching symbols in a cluster awards the minimum payout for that symbol type, while clusters of 11 or more symbols trigger maximum values. For premium symbols, this ranges from 0.3x stake (5 symbols) to 60x stake (11+ symbols of the highest-paying type). Standard symbols pay between 0.1x and 15x across the same cluster sizes.

The Soul Orbs function as wild symbols with attached multipliers, while Scatter symbols trigger the bonus features. Anubis Skulls appear exclusively during bonus rounds, serving as multiplier modifiers that can dramatically amplify wins.

Base Game Features

Hand of Anubis utilizes Cluster Pays mechanics, requiring five or more matching symbols to connect horizontally or vertically (not diagonally) to form a winning combination. This system rewards larger clusters exponentially—a 10-symbol cluster pays significantly more than two separate 5-symbol clusters of the same symbol type.

Cascading Reels enhance every winning spin. When a cluster forms, winning symbols disappear from the grid while remaining symbols drop downward. New symbols cascade from above to fill empty positions, potentially creating additional winning clusters. This chain reaction continues until no new wins form, allowing multiple payouts from a single bet.

The 36% hit frequency provides relatively frequent base game wins compared to some ultra-volatile slots. However, most winning clusters remain small, consisting of 5-7 symbols. The cascade mechanic offers opportunities for extended win sequences, though truly significant base game payouts typically require Soul Orb involvement.

During standard play, you’ll notice the grid occasionally settling into patterns that seem promising but fail to connect. This tension defines the Hand of Anubis experience—anticipation builds with each spin, knowing that the right symbol arrangement could trigger a cascade chain or bonus feature.

Soul Orbs Feature: The Heart of Hand of Anubis

The Soul Orb system distinguishes Hand of Anubis from virtually every other slot on the market. These special wild symbols don’t merely substitute for other symbols—they carry progressive multipliers that grow throughout a spin sequence.

Red Soul Orbs increase their multiplier by +1 for every symbol contained in each winning cluster they help form. If a Red Soul Orb contributes to a 7-symbol cluster, its multiplier increases by 7. Should that same orb participate in subsequent cascade wins, it continues accumulating multiplier value based on cluster sizes.

Blue Soul Orbs operate differently, increasing their multiplier by +1 per winning cluster regardless of cluster size. A Blue Soul Orb that participates in three consecutive cascade wins gains a x3 multiplier boost. This makes Blue Orbs particularly valuable during extended cascade sequences where multiple smaller clusters form.

When Soul Orbs contribute to a winning cluster, their current multiplier value applies to that win. If multiple Soul Orbs participate in the same win, their multipliers multiply together. A Red Soul Orb at x5 and a Blue Soul Orb at x3 combining on the same cluster would create a x15 multiplier on that win. This multiplicative stacking represents where Hand of Anubis generates its most explosive base game payouts.

Both orb types substitute for all regular symbols except scatters. They can appear randomly during any spin, with no guarantee of landing. When they do appear, the strategic question becomes whether to hope for cascades that build multiplier values or simply collect wins before the sequence ends.

Underworld Free Spins

Landing exactly three scatter symbols activates the Underworld Free Spins bonus round. This feature transports players to an even darker realm, where the visual atmosphere intensifies and the multiplier potential reaches extraordinary heights.

The round begins with 10 free spins and introduces a unique multiplier system. Five individual multipliers appear below the grid, one beneath each reel column. Each multiplier starts at zero and can reach a maximum of x9,999. Whenever a winning cluster forms, the number of winning symbols on each reel adds to that reel’s corresponding multiplier. A 6-symbol cluster spread across three reels might add +2 to one multiplier, +3 to another, and +1 to the third.

However, these multipliers remain inactive until unlocked. Green Soul Orbs—exclusive to this bonus round—appear randomly and serve two critical functions. When a Green Soul Orb lands above an inactive multiplier, it activates that multiplier for all subsequent wins. Additionally, each activation awards +3 free spins, extending your bonus duration.

Anubis Skull symbols appear during Underworld spins and can multiply the value below them by x2, x3, x4, x5, or x10. If an Anubis Skull lands above a multiplier showing x50, a x5 modifier would boost it to x250. These multiplicative effects can rapidly escalate multiplier values toward their x9,999 ceiling.

Active multipliers combine additively and apply to all winning clusters. With three active multipliers showing x100, x200, and x300, every win receives a x600 multiplier. The tension of building massive multipliers while hoping for Green Soul Orbs to activate them before spins expire creates genuinely dramatic gameplay moments.

Judgement Free Spins

Landing four scatter symbols triggers the Judgement Free Spins feature—a hold-and-win variant that plays quite differently from Underworld. This bonus begins with 3 refilling spins and removes regular symbols entirely from the grid.

During Judgement, only blank blocks and special blocks land on each spin. The mechanic focuses on accumulating and stacking multiplier values across the grid. Five multipliers appear above the reels (mirroring Underworld’s placement below), starting at base values.

Multiplier Modifier Blocks come in four varieties. Skulls add between +1 and +100 to the multiplier directly above their landing position. Epic Skulls add that same +1 to +100 value to all five multipliers simultaneously. Anubis Skulls multiply the value above them by x2 through x10. Epic Anubis Skulls apply that multiplication factor to all multipliers at once.

Ice Blocks function as value collectors. When an Ice Block lands, it disappears and places a Multiplier Block in that position, capturing the current value of the multiplier above it. These Multiplier Blocks stack at the grid’s bottom as more blocks accumulate. Crusher Blocks smash through existing Multiplier Blocks beneath them, combining their values into a single block and resetting the spin counter to 3.

The feature continues as long as Multiplier Blocks, Modifier Blocks, or Crushers keep landing. Three consecutive spins without relevant blocks ends Judgement, and all accumulated Multiplier Block values are paid out. This creates a fundamentally different rhythm than Underworld—rather than chasing cascades, you’re hoping for modifier and crusher combinations that amplify stacked values.

Bonus Buy Options

Players outside restricted jurisdictions (notably the UK) can bypass base game grinding by purchasing direct access to either bonus feature.

Underworld Free Spins costs 129x your bet and carries an RTP of 96.29%—marginally higher than the base game. At a $1 bet level, this means investing $129 for guaranteed bonus entry. The feature plays identically to naturally triggered Underworld rounds.

Judgement Free Spins costs 200x your bet with an RTP of 96.18%. The higher price reflects the hold-and-win format’s potential for sustained value accumulation, though the slightly lower RTP suggests marginally reduced expected returns compared to Underworld purchases.

Whether bonus buying offers good value depends on your playing style and bankroll. Purchasing eliminates the variance of waiting for natural triggers—some players spin hundreds of times between bonus rounds. However, bought bonuses don’t guarantee profitable outcomes. The high volatility means even purchased features frequently return less than their cost.

From a pure mathematics perspective, bonus buying at these RTP levels is slightly unfavorable compared to extended base game play at maximum RTP. However, many players prefer the concentrated excitement of guaranteed bonus access over lengthy base game sessions.

Top 9 Casinos to Play Hand of Anubis

Finding the right casino for Hand of Anubis gameplay involves balancing bonus offers, game availability, payment options, and overall reputation. These ten operators consistently deliver quality experiences for Hacksaw Gaming enthusiasts.

1. HellSpin

HellSpin embraces the darker side of online gaming with an aesthetic that complements Hand of Anubis perfectly. New players receive a generous welcome package spread across initial deposits, including bonus funds and free spins. The casino maintains an extensive Hacksaw Gaming library, ensuring Hand of Anubis is always available alongside other popular titles from the provider. Payment processing includes both traditional methods and cryptocurrency options for privacy-conscious players. HellSpin’s 24/7 customer support and fast withdrawal processing make it a solid choice for serious slot enthusiasts.

2. Tonybet

Established as both a sportsbook and casino, Tonybet brings credibility and reliability to the table. Their casino section features Hacksaw Gaming prominently, with Hand of Anubis accessible on desktop and mobile platforms. Welcome bonuses provide meaningful bankroll boosts for new registrations, while ongoing promotions reward loyal players. Tonybet’s licensing credentials and responsible gambling tools demonstrate commitment to player protection. The platform’s clean interface makes navigating to your preferred slots straightforward and efficient.

3. 22bet

Operating across numerous markets, 22bet offers impressive game variety including comprehensive Hacksaw Gaming coverage. Hand of Anubis sits alongside thousands of other slots in their expansive library. The welcome bonus structure appeals to both casual players and high rollers, with multiple deposit matches available. Payment flexibility stands out—22bet accepts dozens of methods including various cryptocurrencies. Their mobile app provides convenient access for players who prefer gaming on the go, maintaining full functionality and game selection.

4. BIZZO Casino

BIZZO Casino cultivates a modern, stylish gambling environment where Hand of Anubis fits naturally among premium slot offerings. New player bonuses combine deposit matches with free spins packages, delivering substantial starting value. The VIP program rewards consistent play with increasingly attractive perks and personalized service. BIZZO’s mobile experience impresses, with responsive design ensuring smooth gameplay across devices. Customer support responds promptly via live chat, resolving queries efficiently.

5. Ivibet

Ivibet positions itself as a contemporary casino platform with strong game provider partnerships. Hacksaw Gaming titles feature prominently, with Hand of Anubis available in both demo and real money modes. Welcome offers spread across multiple deposits, maximizing total bonus potential for committed players. Cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals receive equal treatment alongside traditional banking methods. Ivibet’s interface prioritizes usability, helping players locate specific games quickly without unnecessary navigation complexity.

6. National Casino

National Casino combines reliable operations with competitive bonus structures. Their Hacksaw Gaming selection includes Hand of Anubis alongside the provider’s full catalog. The welcome package delivers bonus funds and free spins, though wagering requirements merit careful review. Payment processing handles both fiat currencies and popular cryptocurrencies, accommodating diverse player preferences. National Casino maintains consistent availability with minimal downtime, ensuring access when you want to play.

7. VAVE

VAVE emphasizes cryptocurrency gambling while remaining accessible to traditional payment users. Hand of Anubis loads quickly on their platform, with smooth performance during bonus features. Welcome bonuses scale impressively for crypto deposits, often exceeding standard fiat offers. The casino’s Hacksaw Gaming integration is thorough, ensuring all features function correctly including bonus buy options where permitted. VAVE’s modern design appeals to players who appreciate clean aesthetics alongside quality gameplay.

8. 20bet

20bet balances casino gaming with sports betting under one account, appealing to players who enjoy both activities. Their slot selection includes Hand of Anubis with full functionality and competitive RTP settings. Welcome bonuses address both casino and sportsbook interests, providing flexibility in how you utilize promotional funds. Payment methods span conventional options and cryptocurrencies, with reasonable processing times for withdrawals. The platform’s mobile optimization ensures consistent experiences across devices.

9. WOOcasino

WOOcasino injects personality into online gambling with its distinctive branding and community-focused approach. Hand of Anubis appears in their featured Hacksaw Gaming section, readily accessible to registered players. Bonus structures favor loyal players through reload offers and cashback programs alongside initial welcome packages. The reward system accumulates points during play, redeemable for various benefits. WOOcasino’s social features connect players who enjoy sharing experiences and celebrating wins together.

Hand of Anubis vs. Other Egyptian Slots

Egyptian-themed slots dominate online casino libraries, making differentiation crucial. Hand of Anubis carves unique territory through its approach to theme and mechanics.

Book of Dead by Play’n GO represents the genre’s most recognizable title. Its expanding symbol mechanic during free spins creates massive win potential on a traditional 5x3 grid with 10 paylines. Book of Dead embraces classic Egyptian treasure hunting aesthetics—bright gold, adventurous music, and Rich Wilde as protagonist. Compared to Hand of Anubis, it offers simpler mechanics with lower volatility and a 5,000x maximum win.

Eye of Horus maintains enduring popularity through its expanding wilds during free spins. The Merkur/Blueprint title uses traditional paylines on a 5x3 grid, providing more predictable gameplay patterns than Hand of Anubis’s cluster system. Its Egyptian theme stays traditional—pyramids, pharaohs, and Horus imagery rendered in classic slot style.

Legacy of Dead from Play’n GO closely mirrors Book of Dead’s mechanics while offering different visuals. The expanding symbol system during free spins creates similar win potential, though the 5,000x cap remains conservative compared to Hand of Anubis.

Hand of Anubis distinguishes itself through atmospheric innovation and mechanical complexity. The Soul Orb multiplier system has no direct equivalent in competing Egyptian slots. Players seeking traditional Egyptian adventures with simpler mechanics might prefer Book of Dead or Eye of Horus. Those craving dark aesthetics, innovative features, and higher maximum win potential will find Hand of Anubis more compelling.

Winning Strategies and Tips

High-volatility slots like Hand of Anubis demand disciplined bankroll management. No strategy guarantees profits—the game’s mathematics ensure the house maintains an edge over time. However, certain approaches maximize entertainment value while minimizing unnecessary risk.

Bankroll allocation should account for extended losing sequences. Hand of Anubis can devour hundreds of spins between significant wins. A session bankroll covering 200-300 spins at your chosen bet level provides reasonable playtime without risking financial strain. Never chase losses by increasing bet sizes after losing streaks.

Bonus buy decisions require careful consideration. Purchasing Underworld at 129x or Judgement at 200x concentrates risk into single events. If your bankroll can’t sustain multiple bonus purchases without meaningful wins, stick to base game grinding. The natural trigger rate, while variable, eventually delivers bonus access at lower cumulative cost for patient players.

Session management involves setting win and loss limits before playing. Decide what profit level triggers session end and what loss amount signals it’s time to stop. Emotional decision-making during play typically leads to poor outcomes.

Feature preference between Underworld and Judgement depends on personal taste. Underworld rewards cascade sequences and multiplier building. Judgement suits players who prefer hold-and-win mechanics with accumulating values. Neither offers mathematically superior returns—choose based on which gameplay style you find more engaging.

Remember that Hand of Anubis exists as entertainment. The high volatility means most sessions end at a loss. Approach each spin as paying for the experience rather than expecting financial returns. Gambling should never represent an income strategy or debt solution.

Mobile Gaming Experience

Hacksaw Gaming developed Hand of Anubis using HTML5 technology, ensuring seamless mobile functionality across devices. Whether you’re using an iPhone, Android smartphone, iPad, or Android tablet, the game adapts its interface appropriately without sacrificing features.

Touch controls feel natural and responsive. Tapping the spin button, adjusting bets, and navigating menus work intuitively without precision requirements. The cascading reels animate smoothly even during extended winning sequences, maintaining visual appeal without performance stuttering.

Portrait and landscape orientations both receive proper optimization. Portrait mode suits quick sessions and one-handed play, while landscape provides a more immersive visual experience with larger symbols and fuller grid visibility. The game switches orientations smoothly without requiring restarts.

Demo play remains available on mobile, allowing risk-free feature exploration before committing real money. This proves particularly valuable for understanding the Soul Orb system and bonus round mechanics before financial stakes enter the equation.

Loading times remain reasonable on modern devices with decent internet connections. Initial game load takes a few seconds, while subsequent spins and feature triggers respond almost instantaneously. Battery consumption falls within normal ranges for graphically rich slots.

Expert Verdict

Hand of Anubis earns its reputation as one of Hacksaw Gaming’s standout creations. The combination of atmospheric excellence, innovative mechanics, and substantial win potential creates a package that justifies attention from serious slot enthusiasts.

Strengths include the genuinely unique Soul Orb multiplier system, which adds strategic depth without overwhelming complexity. The dual bonus features offer distinct gameplay experiences, preventing monotony during extended sessions. Hacksaw’s dark Egyptian aesthetic successfully differentiates Hand of Anubis from countless generic competitors. The 10,000x maximum win provides meaningful upside for high-risk players.

Weaknesses center on the brutal volatility. Extended losing sequences test patience and bankrolls alike. The RTP variance across operator settings means players must verify they’re accessing the 96.24% version rather than lower configurations. Some may find the dark theme oppressive compared to cheerful alternatives.

Ideal players are experienced slot enthusiasts who understand and accept high-volatility mathematics. Those seeking frequent small wins should look elsewhere. Hand of Anubis rewards patience and adequate bankroll depth, delivering rare but potentially spectacular payouts.

Rating: 8.5/10

Hand of Anubis doesn’t revolutionize online slots, but it represents Hacksaw Gaming operating at peak creativity. The atmospheric commitment, innovative multipliers, and satisfying bonus features combine into an experience that Egyptian slot fans and volatility chasers alike should explore. Just ensure your bankroll and expectations align with what this unforgiving but rewarding game demands.

Please gamble responsibly. Gambling should be entertainment, not a source of income. Set deposit limits, never chase losses, and seek help if gambling becomes problematic. Hand of Anubis features high volatility—significant losses are possible. Players must be 18+ (21+ in some jurisdictions). Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions