Slot machines have been around for decades, constantly evolving to suit modern tastes. However, some titles embrace classic elements for those feeling nostalgic, and Diamond Strike by Pragmatic Play is one of them.
Of course, there are elements in this game that make it a modern hit for players in Canadian casinos, which we’ll cover throughout this review.
Graphics and Design of the Diamond Strike Slot
When it comes to classic elements, the first things that stand out are the symbols. These represent the old-school icons seen in the earliest slot machines: the 7, the bell, the cherry, the watermelon, the grape, and the lemon.
Of course, there are also special symbols to discover, which we’ll talk about later.
As for the grid design, you’ll notice an electric blue background paired with a catchy tune reminiscent of a TV game show.
Gameplay of Diamond Strike
Unlike traditional fruit slots, Diamond Strike features a 5-reel, 3-row grid with 15 fixed paylines. Wins are only achieved from left to right.
The betting range is a bit unique, calculated in multiples of $0.15. In simpler terms, you can wager a minimum of $0.15 and a maximum of $75. Additionally, the highest possible payout comes from one of its fixed jackpots, a feature we’ll discuss later.
If you prefer theory over practice, you can always try the Diamond Strike demo available here at Casino Cupid and play as much as you like.
Special Features of the Diamond Strike Slot
While classic slots are known for having fewer special features, that’s not the case with this game. Several features can offer substantial payouts, all triggered by three special symbols:
Wild Symbol
The diamond is not only the highest-paying symbol in the game, but it also acts as the wild. It substitutes for regular symbols to form winning combinations, although it cannot replace the two scatter symbols.
Free Spins
The "Free Spins" symbol is the first scatter you'll encounter in this slot. Its function, as the name suggests, is to award free spins—eight, to be precise—when three or more of them land on reels 1, 3, and 5 during a spin.
This feature can be retriggered indefinitely during an active bonus round, adding eight extra spins each time.
Moreover, during the bonus round, the number of wilds on the reels increases, boosting your chances of landing a winning combination.
Jackpot Bonus Game
The jackpot feature is triggered by a second scatter, a golden 7 surrounded by diamonds.
In addition to substituting for regular 7s, this symbol gives you a chance to activate the jackpot bonus game if three of them land anywhere on the grid.
Once triggered, you’ll enter a simple mini-game: 12 diamonds appear on the screen, and you must pick them one by one until you reveal three matching jackpots.
The prize corresponding to the matching jackpot will be credited to your balance, and the round will end.
Here are the possible jackpot prizes:
Mini: 10x your bet.
Minor: 30x your bet.
Major: 100x your bet.
Mega: 1000x your bet.
Technical Details of the Diamond Strike Slot
Although Pragmatic Play is known for producing highly volatile games, Diamond Strike is one with medium volatility. This means that wins occur relatively often, with prize amounts ranging from small to large.
The RTP (return to player) is 96.48%, which is around the average for modern slots. This percentage represents the theoretical amount the game returns to the player over hundreds of thousands of spins.
Chase the Jackpot!
There are two ways to win big while playing Diamond Strike: through its eight free spins feature, with the chance to trigger additional spins, and through its fixed jackpots, where prizes of up to 1000x your bet are possible.
No matter which option you prefer, both are excellent reasons to enjoy this entertaining slot.
While it may not seem like the most exciting slot at first glance, if you’re a fan of retro games, this could quickly become one of your favourites.
And if money is a concern, you can always play Diamond Strike for free here at Casino Cupid.
