Bao Shi: Slot Overview
Type “bao shi” into Yabla’s online Chinese-English-Pinyin dictionary, and you’ll get definitions like “to give the correct time,” “to release on bail,” and “precious stone.” For Play’n GO’s slot Bao Shi, we’ll go with the last one—though ironically, gems are scarce in this game. Instead, the slot leans heavily on gold imagery, wilds, multipliers, and high-symbol upgrades to deliver those big-hit moments.
Adding to the intrigue is the watchful gaze above the reels. These eyes belong to Lioras, the Lion God of Prosperity, who stands as Bao Shi’s central figure. According to the backstory, a power-hungry warlord cursed Lioras into stone, locking away the temple’s riches. The goal for players is to awaken the guardian—an act that unleashes wilds, adds multipliers, and boosts winning potential.
The result is a slot that isn’t just about spinning reels but about unlocking a tale of prosperity, protection, and fortune. For those drawn to Asian-themed adventures, Bao Shi offers both atmosphere and mechanics wrapped into a neat, story-driven package.
Set beneath the ever-watchful eyes of Lioras, Bao Shi plays out on a 5×4 reel grid with 1,024 ways to win. Wins are formed left to right starting from the first reel, while the game’s volatility is rated a hefty 7/10. The highest RTP option is 96.2%, topping a lineup of five possible configurations. Stakes range from €0.10 to €100 per spin, catering to a broad spectrum of players.
The paytable begins with 10–A card royals before moving up to thematic symbols such as lanterns, coins, fish, sycees, and finally Lioras himself, paying between 0.3x and 4x the stake for a 5-of-a-kind hit. In free spins or during the Lioras Blessings feature, the regular Lioras symbol is upgraded to the Golden Lioras, boosting payouts to 6x for 5-of-a-kind. Wilds come in the form of Drum and Gold Coin symbols, appearing only on reels two, three, and four. These substitute for all regular symbols except scatters, helping to piece together more rewarding combinations.
🎰 Bao Shi – Quick Facts
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Reels/Rows: 5×4
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Paylines: 1,024 ways to win (left to right)
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Volatility: High (7/10)
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RTP: Up to 96.2% (5 configurations)
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Bet Range: €0.10 – €100
💎 Symbols & Payouts
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Low pays: 10–A royals
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High pays: Lanterns, coins, fish, sycees, Lioras (up to 4x for 5 OAK)
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Golden Lioras (feature upgrade): 6x for 5 OAK
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Wilds: Drum & Gold Coin (middle reels only, substitute for all but scatter)
Bao Shi: Slot Verdict
With the flood of Asian-themed slots on the market—many of them blending into one another—it can be tough for a new release to feel fresh. At first glance, though, Bao Shi does manage to stand out. Play’n GO’s effort to build a richer backstory pays off, and the piercing stare of Lioras above the reels makes a striking first impression. While much of the design leans on familiar cultural imagery, the presence of the Lion Guardian adds a dose of personality that sets it apart, at least initially.
Importantly, Lioras isn’t just window dressing. In the base game, offering him a Drum can trigger his blessings, adding wild Gold Coins or revealing multipliers, with similar random effects possible during free spins. Beyond that, though, the feature set is slim. Without bonus buys—something Play’n GO typically avoids—the base game can feel slow while waiting for free spins to land. Still, with a headline max win of 15,000x the bet, the game carries significant theoretical potential, though hitting anything close to that is likely rare.
The real excitement lies in the possibility of upgraded Golden Lioras symbols lining up with multipliers across multiple win ways. That’s where Bao Shi can shine, even if it didn’t happen during testing. Ultimately, after the initial intrigue of Lioras faded, so did the urge to keep playing, making this one a slot that offers flashes of brilliance but struggles to sustain long-term appeal.