Play 221B Baker Street for Free

Let’s get this out of the way and put it on record – 221B Baker Street is that sort of a slot game where you won’t mind losing a few coins, simply because the entertainment value of the game itself covers it all for you.

From an appearance point of view, it can come across as old-school stuff, despite being an online-only offering. Gameplay itself, as is the case with most slot games, is as easy as it gets. Merkur, while developing this game, have tried to customise the looks and play styles to varying degrees to suit the culture of the website it’s being played at. What this means is that this slot game can give off slightly different vibes (in terms of colour combinations, sounds and visual effects) on different websites. But for what it’s worth, the skeletal gameplay is much the same.

Keeping in line with their dictum of simplicity, Merkur has made it a point to keep 221B Baker Street a no-frills experience. In a time when it has become fashionable and mod for developers to increase the number of reels in slot games just to add more graphics and animations (and reduce a player’s odds, of course), 5 simple reels of this slot can help you stay on top of your gaming experience.

Getting down to business won’t take too long, either. You can wager a maximum of $40 in bets starting from 1 cent. The game features staggering 20 paylines in three formats – zig zag, sine wave and saw tooth.

Five reels and 20 lines is actually a very neat combination, come to think of it. It allows you not to get distracted all the while having the best of your highs as the reels come to a screeching halt, trying to make or break your fortunes.

Sherlock is a character that has captured the imagination of millions with his eccentric ways that knew no predictability. Embracing that spirit, 221B Baker Street features some of the weirdest symbols you will ever come across in a slot game. Regular ones – the ones that will make you smile but won’t let you take big bucks home – include a handgun, a glass of wine, a chillum and a whole pack of cards, no holds barred.

On the more interesting side of it all, wild symbols are what you should be on the lookout for, if you really want to cash in. For example, Sherlock himself is the wildest of symbols here with a payout index of x10,000.

Sherlock’s nemesis – Moriarty – is a scatter symbol with high payout (varies, based on wager), as well. Dr Watson and Big Ben are also important wild symbols that can make up for a missing symbol on any active line to complete the sequence and help you win big.

Slot gamers have a common weakness. Even when they win, they want to push their luck to the hilt of falling free down a fathomless abyss. But then again, when have risks stopped gamers from enjoying their slots?

If you are a risk prone gambler, you are going to love the bonus features on 221B Baker Street. There are three in total, but the one we best loved is a hair-raising, neck-grazing, blood-curdling Wild West duel where you play Sherlock. The prize for winning – double it all (and your life, too).

There are also some relatively calmer bonuses like stair mapping and card picking that can help you win 50% or lose 100% of credits.

To sum it up, it can be said that 221B Baker Street is a simple video slot game that suits the needs of most gamers – especially beginners.

It’s got fun, style, entertainment and payout quotients just about in right proportions to keep you rooted to your spot and wish hard for your luck to come alive.