Merry Money Slot

Merry Money Slot

While a considerable number of Barcrest slots give off the vibe of live casino games adapted for online play, Merry Money aligns much better with the current wave of online-centric titles in my opinion. Robin Hood is among the themed slots popular today and was launched in 2013. It boasts 3 distinct bonus features, 2 of which are triggered randomly when you land 3 bonus symbols to kick things off. Additionally, there are stacked symbols, fast and seamless gameplay, and the meticulous attention to detail typically associated with classic slot developers like Barcrest.

Compared to many other titles from Barcrest, this slot has a more contemporary look. The backdrop features a lush forest setting, and the symbols on the reels spin against a dark forest background — a departure from the plain black or white backgrounds often found in Barcrest slots. The symbols mainly consist of playing cards, which is somewhat disappointing. Among them, you’ll find an archery target, a Robin Hood bonus symbol, a wild bag of gold, and a stacked Merry Money logo that frequently appears on the reels to even out the gameplay. While you play, a lively bass-heavy soundtrack sets the mood, reminiscent of a preset tune on a 1980s Casio keyboard. Combined with the sound effect of a sword being unsheathed when the reels spin, it creates a unique audio experience.

The bonus games include a pick-em game called “hall of plenty,” a free spins round, and a straightforward game where you select one of the archery targets on the reels. These bonuses trigger frequently enough to maintain your interest and involvement in the game.

Setup and Play for Merry Money

This game features 10 fixed paylines. You can choose from a wide range of stakes, starting from just 1c per line (equivalent to 10c spins) up to $50 per line bets for a maximum of $500 per spin. The auto-play function allows you to spin up to 50 times without manual intervention.

In the base game, wins are frequent but modest, with the Merry Money logo offering the highest payout. Landing 5 of these symbols on a payline awards 250 coins, while 4 symbols award 150 coins, and 3 symbols award 50 coins. The stacked nature of this symbol means you can sometimes earn multiples of these amounts across various paylines, especially with the help of the wild bag of gold symbol.

All other winning symbols are playing cards, with aces and kings rewarding 200 coins for a combination of 5, while the remaining cards offer 100 coins. There are numerous smaller payoffs, with 10 coins awarded for just 3 symbols on a payline, even for the lower-ranking symbols such as queens down to tens.

Triggering the ‘pick-me’ bonus requires landing 3 archery targets anywhere on the reels, while landing 3 Robin Hood symbols initiates either the Hall of Plenty or win-spins bonus rounds.

Merry Money Bonus Games

The archery target game is the simplest and quickest among the bonus features. When 3 targets appear on the screen, they flash ‘pick me.’ By selecting one with your mouse, a multiplier of your stake for that spin is revealed. You receive that prize, see the ones you did not choose, and then return to the main game.

The Robin Hood symbol leads to more intricate bonuses. Initially, you choose your bonus by clicking on Robin, who then shoots an arrow at a target. Hitting the yellow target triggers the Hall of Plenty bonus, while hitting the red one triggers the Win-Spins bonus.

In the Hall of Plenty bonus, you spin a wheel and Robin opens doors corresponding to the number spun. At the end of the hall, the Sheriff is asleep, and the objective is to acquire treasure chests (which accumulate winnings) without waking him up and getting chased out of the room by women and children. You can accumulate several chests before the Sheriff calls the guards.

The Win-Spins bonus takes you to another wheel game. Here, you progress along a path based on the spin outcome, earning free spins as you advance. Once this phase concludes, the game swiftly plays through your awarded spins, with the total winnings revealed at the end.

Merry Money – Conclusion

Compared to many other offerings from Barcrest, this is a more contemporary slot that I found enjoyable to play. The variety of 3 different features keeps the game engaging, while the larger payouts stem from a blend of stacked logos and wild symbols on the reels. The music may not perfectly match the slot theme, but at least it pauses between spins. Overall, this game represents a positive step forward for Barcrest and is entertaining enough to warrant a spin — give it a try soon.

Jesse Miller iGaming Writer

Last Updated: December 7, 2024