Dead or Alive

About Dead or Alive

Dead or Alive is a 5-reel, 9-payline Wild West slot from NetEnt, released in 2009 and still one of the studio's most-played classics. The layout is deliberately simple, but the nine paylines and high volatility set up a game where the base game is quiet and the bonus is explosive. The theme is pure spaghetti western, with wanted posters, revolvers and outlaws.

Everything is built around the sticky-wild free spins. The base game pays small and infrequently, and the goal is to trigger the bonus and land sticky wilds that lock in place for the whole round. When the right wild lines appear, the payouts can be very large for such a simple-looking slot.

How to Play Dead or Alive

Set your stake and spin the five reels. Wins are formed by landing three or more matching symbols left to right across the 9 paylines. Bet denominations are adjusted together rather than per line. The card symbols make up the lower wins, with the outlaws and western icons paying more.

Three or more scatters (the crossed guns) trigger 12 free spins, played at a 2x multiplier. Wild symbols that land during the free spins become Sticky Wilds and hold their position for the rest of the round, and a sticky wild on every reel awards 5 extra spins. Stakes at Midnite start from £0.09 per spin.

Dead or Alive Features

• Free Spins: Triggered by 3 or more scatters, awarding 12 free spins with all wins doubled by a 2x multiplier. Re-triggerable once per round.
• Sticky Wilds: Wilds that land during free spins lock in place for the rest of the round. A sticky wild on every reel awards 5 extra spins.
• Wanted Poster Wild: The standard wild substitutes for all symbols except the scatter.

Dead or Alive RTP, Volatility and Key Info

Before you spin, the figures worth knowing on Dead or Alive:

• RTP: 94.03%
• Volatility: High
• Reels / rows: 5x3
• Paylines: 9
• Max win: 8,600x stake (£30,960)
• Minimum stake at Midnite: £0.09 per spin
• Mobile: Available on iOS and Android
• Provider: NetEnt

Dead or Alive Theme and Symbols

The setting is a dusty frontier town, with a wooden saloon backdrop, a fitting western soundtrack and clean NetEnt animation. The mood is understated, which suits a game where the tension builds towards the bonus.

The premium symbols are revolvers, a sheriff's badge, a cowboy hat and a bottle, with the card royals at the lower end. The crossed guns are the scatter that opens the free spins, and the Wanted Poster is the wild, with the five outlaws appearing as the sticky wilds in the bonus.

Games Like Dead or Alive

• Dead or Alive 2: The sequel with selectable free spins modes and a higher ceiling.
• Blood Suckers: Another NetEnt classic with a strong bonus round.
• Jack and the Beanstalk: A NetEnt slot with walking wilds.
• Wanted Dead or a Wild: A high-volatility western slot with multiple bonus modes.

Dead or Alive FAQs

What is the RTP of Dead or Alive?

The RTP supplied for this game is 94.03%.

Who developed Dead or Alive?

Dead or Alive was developed by NetEnt and released in 2009.

How do you win on Dead or Alive?

Land three or more matching symbols across the 9 paylines. The main wins come from the free spins, where Sticky Wilds lock in place and all wins are doubled.

Is Dead or Alive a high volatility slot?

Yes. Dead or Alive is a high volatility slot, with long quiet stretches and the big wins concentrated in the free spins.

What is the maximum win on Dead or Alive?

The maximum win is 8,600x your stake, equal to £30,960.

Can I play Dead or Alive on mobile?

Yes. The game runs on iOS and Android via the Midnite app or mobile browser.