| Provider | Playtech |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.22% - Compare RTPs |
| Volatility | Medium-High |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 10 |
| Bet Range | £0.10 - £100.00 |
| Hit Frequency | 21.59% |
| Max Win | 1,221x |
| Features | Wilds, Bonus Rounds |
Second Strike is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot from Quickspin with 10 fixed paylines and a classic fruit machine look. Released on 9 December 2015, it strips back the usual bonus complexity in favour of one sharp mechanic: the namesake Second Strike feature that can load the reels with matching symbols mid-spin. RTP sits at 96.22% with high volatility, so wins arrive less often but carry more weight when they land.
Theme and Design
The fruit theme is deliberately retro. Cherries, plums, grapes, watermelons, bells, stars and lucky 7s fill the reels against a clean dark background. The diamond is the top-paying regular symbol. Around the edge of the reels sits an illuminated outer wheel - the visual centrepiece that drives the main feature. Everything is crisp and uncluttered, which suits the game's no-frills approach.
How the Second Strike Feature Works
The Second Strike feature is the sole bonus mechanic, and it activates on every winning spin - not at random intervals. Any winning combination lights up the symbols involved on the outer wheel that borders the reels. A block then spins around that wheel and stops at a random position. If it lands on one of the lit segments - matching the winning symbols from your spin - the Second Strike activates.
When it fires, extra copies of the winning symbol are added directly to the reels:
- 3-of-a-kind win: 6 additional symbols added
- 4-of-a-kind win: 8 additional symbols added
- 5-of-a-kind win: 10 additional symbols added
With up to 10 extra symbols flooding a 15-symbol grid, the resulting combinations can be substantial. Note that wild symbols are inactive during the Second Strike activation - only the matching winning symbol floods the reels. The feature does not guarantee a bigger win every time it triggers, since symbol placement matters, but the potential when it connects is the main draw of the slot.
One practical point: even when the block misses the lit segments, the wheel animation still runs on every winning spin. This adds a short pause to normal gameplay. It does not affect the math, but if you prefer fast-paced sessions you will notice it.
Symbols and Payouts
The paytable runs from low to high. Five-of-a-kind payouts by symbol: cherries 2.4x, plums 3x, grapes 3x, watermelons 4x, bells 10x, stars 15x, lucky 7s 20x, and diamonds 100x your total bet - the highest single payout available in base play.
The wild symbol substitutes for all other symbols but carries no independent payout and does not expand or multiply. Random wilds can also land during base spins, adding extra substitution potential. There are no scatters, no free spins round and no bonus buy option.
Betting Range and Max Win
Stakes run from 0.10 to 100.00 per spin, covering casual play and higher-stakes sessions alike. The maximum win is 1,221x your bet, achievable through a well-timed Second Strike on diamond symbols. Autoplay is available for set-and-forget sessions.
RTP and Volatility
The 96.22% RTP sits close to the industry norm. You will find slots with higher theoretical returns, but 96.22% is a solid baseline for a Quickspin game of this era.
Volatility is high. Extended dry spells between meaningful wins are part of the normal pattern here - this is not a slot that pays little and often. The Second Strike mechanic is specifically designed to make individual wins punchy enough to compensate: when the feature catches your highest-paying symbol and stacks the reels, it can recover a losing run in a single spin. Playing at a stake you can sustain across a longer session suits this slot better than chasing quick returns at maximum bet.
Mobile Play
Second Strike runs in HTML5, so it loads directly in any modern mobile browser on iOS or Android. The reel grid scales cleanly to smaller screens and the outer wheel animation remains legible on phone-sized displays. No separate app is needed.
Who Will Enjoy Second Strike
This slot suits players who want a single well-executed mechanic rather than a cascade of bonus rounds. The fruit theme is unashamedly old-school, and the gameplay loop - spin, watch the wheel, wait for the feature to fire - is satisfying in its simplicity once you understand how the Second Strike works. It is not a slot for anyone who needs frequent feature triggers or guaranteed free spins; the absence of a free spins round and high volatility mean patience is part of the deal.
If you enjoy other Quickspin releases, Reel Rush, Big Bad Wolf or Reactoonz are all worth trying. For sites that carry Second Strike, see our casino reviews.
Related Slots
- Reel Rush - Quickspin's expanding-reel mechanic slot
- Big Bad Wolf - Quickspin's cascading-reels fairy-tale slot
- Reactoonz - Quickspin's cluster-pays grid slot
- Double Dragons
- Casino Reviews
Where to Play Second Strike
These online casinos carry Playtech games including Second Strike. Read our Donbet review or browse all casino reviews.
Second Strike RTP and Variance
Second Strike has an RTP of 96.22%, which is above average. See our highest RTP slots for the best returning games. Medium-high volatility means less frequent wins but larger payouts when they hit.
At the minimum bet of £0.10 per spin, a £10 deposit gives you 100 spins with a statistical expected return of £9.62. Read our slot betting strategy guide for tips on managing your bankroll.
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If you enjoy Second Strike, try these other Playtech games available at the same casinos.
