Pop O’ Gold PopWins (AvatarUX) Slot Review

Pop O’ Gold PopWins: Slot Overview 

Released on March 28, 2023, Pop O’ Gold PopWins by AvatarUX takes players on a darker, more atmospheric trip to the Emerald Isle. While many leprechaun-themed slots lean into cartoonish rainbows and cheerful vibes, Pop O’ Gold PopWins sets itself apart with a moody forest backdrop and ominous undertones, signaling that this Irish adventure has higher stakes than your average “pots of gold” slot. 

The game plays on a 5×3 grid that can expand up to 7 rows high, unlocking a huge range of 486 to 16,807 paylines through the signature PopWins mechanic. With an RTP of 96%, high volatility, and a maximum win potential of 20,000x the bet, this slot is designed to thrill high-risk, high-reward players. Bets range from €0.20 to €100, making it accessible for both casual spinners and high-stake adventurers. 

Pop O’ Gold PopWins also brings a fresh mix of mechanics, including StickyPop wins, Split Symbols, Boosted Reels, and progressive multipliers during free spins. These features ensure that while the slot stays true to the proven PopWins DNA, it also introduces unique twists that keep the gameplay engaging.

Design and Graphics 

Visually, Pop O’ Gold PopWins is a refreshing departure from the bright and cheerful Irish slot stereotype. Instead of the usual rolling green hills and rainbow bridges, the game opts for a shadowy forest setting, lit by eerie greens and flickering gold tones. This atmospheric design gives the slot a slightly sinister edge, reminiscent of AvatarUX’s earlier darker releases like PopRocks.The symbols are designed to reinforce the Irish folklore theme: 

Low-paying symbols: J–A card royals, styled with Celtic flair. 

Mid-paying symbols: Irish-themed items such as pipes, shields, hats, and books. 

High-paying symbols: The iconic pot of gold and a mischievous leprechaun, which offer the best payouts. 

Animations are smooth and satisfying, especially when the PopWins mechanic expands reels and StickyPop locks winning symbols in place. Multipliers attached to Split or Boosted reels glow vividly, while free spins rounds are enhanced with a golden shimmer that amps up the tension. Overall, the slot feels like a polished mix of folklore and high-stakes intensity.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Pop O’ Gold PopWins builds its gameplay on AvatarUX’s hallmark PopWins mechanic, but adds fresh layers of complexity. 

Base Grid: 5 reels, 3 rows (486 ways). 

Maximum Expansion: Up to 7 rows high during free spins (16,807 ways). 

Ways to Win: Pay both left-to-right and right-to-left, provided at least three symbols land on consecutive reels. 

PopWins + StickyPop 

Each winning symbol “pops” and is replaced by two new symbols, expanding reel height and increasing win potential. The StickyPop variant holds winning symbols in place while other symbols respin, potentially improving the win before releasing. This subtle change creates more suspense and can result in dramatic chain reactions. 

Symbol Values 

Card royals (J–A): Pay up to 0.6x the bet for five-of-a-kind. 

Mid-value items: Pay up to 1.5x the bet for five-of-a-kind. 

Pot of gold and leprechaun: Pay up to 2.5x the bet for five-of-a-kind. 

Though base payouts are modest, the real money is in expanding paylines and multipliers, especially in bonus rounds.

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack of Pop O’ Gold PopWins plays a significant role in shaping its darker Irish theme. Instead of jolly fiddles or upbeat folk music, the game features a heavier, atmospheric score, with subtle Celtic undertones wrapped in tension. 

During base gameplay, the audio remains subdued, but when wins chain together or reels expand, the music ramps up, adding suspense. Free spins are accompanied by dramatic crescendos and golden sound effects, reinforcing the feeling that something big is about to happen. 

This moody approach to sound design works perfectly with the visuals, setting Pop O’ Gold apart from lighter, more comedic leprechaun slots.

Bonus Features 

Pop O’ Gold PopWins is stacked with features that enhance both base game and free spins, providing multiple paths to big wins.Split Symbols 

On any spin, symbols may land with an x2 or x3 multiplier attached, effectively boosting their payout value. These multipliers apply only to the symbol they’re attached to, but when combined with expanding paylines, they can be extremely lucrative. 

Boosted Reels 

At the start of a spin, 2–5 reels may be randomly boosted. Any symbols landing on these boosted reels automatically receive a split multiplier, further amplifying win potential. 

Base Game Unlock 

If all reels reach 5 rows high in the base game, a persistent x2 multiplier is activated. Each additional win increases the multiplier by +1, which can snowball during hot streaks. 

Free Spins 

Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols awards 5, 8, or 12 free spins. Players then have the option to gamble their spins for more: 

Gamble success: Up to 14 free spins possible. 

Gamble loss: Free spins forfeited. 

During free spins: 

Minimum grid size: 5×4 (2,048 ways). 

Reel reset: Drops only to the lowest common reel height, not back to 3 rows. 

Maximum height: 7 rows (16,807 ways). 

Multipliers: Start at x2 and increase by +1 after each win. 

Hitting the max reel height awards +2 extra spins. 

This makes free spins the most powerful aspect of the game, with persistent multipliers and extended paylines creating huge win potential. 

Bonus Buy Options 

For those who prefer direct access to bonuses:Magic Bonus: 5 free spins for 100x the bet. 

Enchanted Gamble Wheel: Gamble for up to 14 free spins, also 100x the bet. 

Max Magic Bonus: 12 free spins for 400x the bet. 

The Ante Bet can also be activated, increasing the stake by 25% while doubling the chance of triggering free spins.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Pop O’ Gold PopWins offers a betting range of €0.20 to €100 per spin, making it versatile for both low-stake and high-stake players. 

The slot carries a 96% RTP, which is solid and competitive for high-volatility titles. The high volatility model ensures that wins may not land frequently, but when features align, they can be massive. 

The maximum payout is capped at 20,000x the bet, putting it among the top-tier AvatarUX slots in terms of potential. While base game payouts tend to be modest, the combination of StickyPop, expanding reels, Split Symbols, and progressive multipliers during free spins ensures that this max win feels realistically achievable compared to some ultra-volatile slots.

Conclusion 

Pop O’ Gold PopWins is a fantastic example of AvatarUX’s ability to reinvent familiar slot themes through fresh mechanics and a darker artistic vision. While Irish-themed slots are often lighthearted and cheerful, this game offers a more mature, atmospheric take, blending folklore with intense, high-volatility gameplay. 

Its strengths lie in the StickyPop mechanic, the clever use of multipliers through Split and Boosted reels, and the progressive multipliers during free spins. The gamble option for free spins adds a layer of risk/reward strategy, and the generous max win potential of 20,000x makes the slot highly appealing to thrill-seekers. 

Visually polished, aurally engaging, and mechanically satisfying, Pop O’ Gold PopWins stands out both within AvatarUX’s portfolio and among Irish-themed slots in general. If you’re looking for a slot that combines classic PopWins expansion with unique twists and a darker atmosphere, this is a game worth playing.