Hanafuda Slot

How to Place Your First Bet on Hanafuda?

I found Hanafuda to be a simple platform. Placing my first bet felt intuitive and simple because the right controls were easy to find. Here is my guide to help you make your first bet:

• The two options that concern you when placing your bet are the “Balance” and “Total bet.” After launching the title, you can find both options at the bottom left corner of your screen. 

• The “Total bet” option is flanked by a positive button on the right and a negative button on the left. Pressing the positive button increases your bet, while the negative button does the opposite. You can also press the figure under the “Total bet” option for a table showing the full range of bets between 0.20 and 50.

• After selecting your preferred wager, click the spin button to start the game. Keep an eye on the “Balance” section, which displays the total value of your remaining funds. Your wins and losses after each round are also added and subtracted from here. 

• If you want to go all out, you can use the “Max” button next to the “Total bet” button to select the maximum amount for the spin.

Autoplay

Autoplay is an intuitive feature from the game designer Popiplay. I use it a lot because I find manually placing bets on each spin tedious and unnecessary. You can also use the autoplay feature to place your bets, and I will show you how:

• After following the steps I explained above to select your preferred amount, you can turn your attention to the bottom right of your screen. 

• You will notice the spin button and an “A” button next to it. The “A” button represents autoplay, and clicking on it presents customization options. 

• The basic setting allows you to select how many spins the autoplay runs for. You can choose specific conditions to stop the autoplay in the advanced settings. For example, you can set the feature to stop if you have lost a stated amount. 

My preference for autoplay is 10 to 20 spins. This fits into my strategy of adjusting my bet size and purchase bonuses if I want to. I suggest you play around with this feature to discover your preferred setting, which will help your gameplay. 

My First Moments Playing This Slot Machine

Playing Hanafuda for the first time could be described in one word: simple. When first introduced to the game, I wrongly assumed it would be like regular oriental-themed games with flashy aesthetics and loud sounds. Popiplay has stripped the game down to the essentials while maintaining creativity and fun. I would have loved it if there were more bonuses, but sadly, there are not. Although it has 5 reels like most modern slots, the game's simplicity is designed after classic slots. 

Music and Visuals

Hanafuda is designed with simplicity from top to bottom. I noticed how the reels were designed to resemble playing cards but without excesses.

The symbols used in the game, such as the Crane, Pig, and others, were chosen because of their similarities to the Hanafuda card game. The game's background did not disappoint, as the Japanese lantern and Bonsai plant can be seen. The symbols, background and aesthetic provide an immersive experience that I enjoyed. 

I have raved about the music used in the game, and it is time I discussed it in detail. If you were blindfolded and the Hanafuda slot music was played in the background, the first place you would think of is Japan. The song is well crafted to suit the game, using a gentle and steady beat. The theme song blends into the environment, and it is not so loud that you must turn it off. You can use earbuds for a more relaxing experience (trust me, I did).

Storyline and Theme

Hanafuda does not have a storyline. It has a strong theme based on “Hanafuda”, the card game. This influence is present in the symbols and reel design of the game. I must confess that I did not know the Hanafuda card game before playing this slot.

Upon research, I understood why the slot developer used a cartoon style for the symbol design. The Japanese cartoon style used in the slot symbols' design closely matches Hanafuda playing cards' designs. This simple attention to detail is why I rate the game's visuals and theme very highly compared to other slots with similar Japanese themes. 

Let's Talk About the Bonus Games You'll Find

There are a few bonus games available on Hanafuda. I found this strange as the developer claims the game is a high-volatility slot. While playing, I discovered the bonuses appear reasonably frequently and with the bonus buy feature, your destiny is in your hands. The bonus mini-game (which I explain below) is also one to look out for. Here is everything you should know about the bonus games in this slot: 

Scatter Symbols

Scatter symbols appear on reels 1, 3, and 5 during the base game. These symbols trigger the free spins mini-game when matched along paylines. They also grant bonus payouts when matched alongside regular symbols during the game.

From my experience, I never managed to trigger the free spins through scatter symbols. I noticed the scatter symbol appeared frequently, so you will receive frequent bonus payouts. From my experience, Pairing these symbols with the highest-paying symbols is the best way to maximize the payouts.

Wild Symbols

Wild symbols work as advertised. I loved how the developer used an “Oni mask” to represent the wild symbols. Wild symbols substitute any symbols (except the scatter symbol) along reels 2, 3, and 4. The wild symbols come with a multiplier applied to your payout for the round.

During the free spins round, 1x, 2x, and 3x multiplier wilds stick till the end of the bonus round. All multipliers are added first and then applied to your final payout of the free spins round.

Free Spins

This is the biggest bonus available on Hanafuda, giving you a chance to win between 9-18 free spins. Free spins are triggered by matching scatter symbols along a payline or buying them in the “Buy Bonus” tab.

You are transported to a mini-game once the free spins have been triggered. In this game, you must choose 3 out of 8 Daruma dolls. Each doll hides a number, which will then be added to give you free spins. On my first try, I received 11 free spins! During the free spins round, there are sticky wilds with multipliers that enhance your final payout. 

Bonus Buy

Bonus buy allows you to purchase the free spins bonus. You will pay 75 times your current bet, which means that if your bet is 1.00, you will pay 75.00 to purchase the bonus. While bonus buy is active, you must play all your free spins before you are allowed to purchase another bonus. The 75x requirement is steep, so I do not recommend that players use this feature frequently. It is only profitable if you recoup the money you spent purchasing the bonus. 

Some Technical Considerations About Hanafuda

My biggest problem with the game is its low RTP (Return to Player). It has a low RTP of 95.99% compared to other high volatility slots, with RTP ranging between 97% to 98%. This means that for every £1 you spend, you will receive 95 cents in payouts, which places the house edge at 5%.

Its RTP is nearer to a medium volatility slot than a high. The game's volatility came as advertised with frequent wins, but the lack of varying bonuses weakens the returns. Hanafuda is a high-volatility slot that plays it safe. The game compensates for not having many bonuses by giving frequent small wins. Sometimes, these wins are accompanied by modest multipliers that give a slight payout bump. 

The max win available in the game is 3525x your bet. This is not so large but more than you will get from low to medium volatility slots. The game has 5 reels with 20 paylines, which means wins are frequent. When matched with the correct multipliers or the free spin bonus, there is so much you can win.

In one free spin game, I won 455x my bet; it was amazing! Popiplay has done a fantastic job of providing a paytable that allows us to check the values of symbols and bonuses. I consulted this table before giving my comprehensive review, and you should, too. It will help you to understand the symbols and payout structure.

Why Do I Think Hanafuda Stands Out?

Hanafuda stands out because it does not try to do too much. Its objective is simple: Provide as much fun for players as possible without obstacles. Its simplistic design and great music allow players to feel comfortable while playing.

One thing I love about the slot is that it does not overwhelm new users with too much information. The menu is easy to access, and players can play the game at their own pace. The base play has 5 reels with 20 paylines, but the free spins bonus compensates for this. The best part is that you can purchase this bonus using the Bonus buy option.

Hanafuda is a well-executed but simple game based on a Japanese card game with a similar name. It is a great game that any player will enjoy as a casual companion. I enjoyed playing this game when I had free time because it is easygoing, fun to play, and you will win a few bucks.