Slot Wildhound Derby
There's a unique atmosphere to a night at the races. The distant murmur of the crowd, the floodlights cutting through the dusk, and that feeling of anticipation as the main event approaches. Play'n GO has bottled that very specific feeling in Wildhound Derby, a slot that's less about frantic spinning and more about the thrill of the chase.
Forget cartoonish graphics. This one feels grounded. You're placed right in the stands of a greyhound stadium, with everything from the betting slips to the winner's rosettes designed to pull you into the world. It's a polished affair, and the audio design does a lot of the heavy lifting. The background music hums along, but it really comes to life during the bonus, capturing that heart-in-mouth moment when the race begins. It's a testament to the idea that a slot's theme should be more than just window dressing.
How do you play Wildhound Derby?
At first glance, it's a standard setup: a 5-reel, 4-row grid. You're playing across 30 fixed paylines, which simply means all lines are active on every spin. Your goal is to land three or more matching symbols from left to right. Simple.
But the real story here is the game's engine. Wildhound Derby is a high-volatility slot. High volatility means wins can be less frequent but potentially larger when they do land. You might experience a series of quieter spins as you watch the reels, followed by a more significant and impactful combination. It's a different rhythm of play.
It's always a good practice to set your limits before you start playing, and you can find a full suite of tools to help you do just that on our Responsible Gambling page. Managing your play is key to keeping things fun.
What is the bonus round in Wildhound Derby?
This is where the game truly shows its colours. The bonus isn't triggered by typical scatter symbols. Instead, your eyes should be glued to the fifth and final reel. The bonus, called the Dog Race Feature, kicks off when all four unique Wild Dog symbols land stacked on that reel.
When that happens, the regular game pauses and the real race begins.
First, you have to make a choice. You're presented with the four canine contenders, each with a personality of its own. Will you pick Braveheart, Daring Dex, Beadle's Teabag, or Oh My Dog? Choosing a dog is a simple but brilliant touch; it gives you a personal stake in the outcome. You're not just a spectator anymore. You're part of the action.
Once you've picked your champion, the free spins start. But this isn't a typical free spins round. The four dogs line up to the right of the reels, and a new 'Golden Hare' column appears on the far left. During the spins, if a Golden Hare symbol lands on any row, the dog on that same row moves one space to the left. The first dog to cross the reels and reach the Golden Hare column wins the race, and the free spins round concludes.
The clever part? Each of those four dogs is a walking wild. As they move across the grid with each Golden Hare that appears, they create more opportunities for winning combinations. If your chosen dog is in the lead, you'll have a wild symbol closer to the first reel, potentially linking up symbols for better outcomes. It's an elegant mechanic that perfectly marries the theme with the gameplay.
And if your chosen dog wins the race? You're escorted to the Winner's Wheel. This is a final flourish that gives you a guaranteed multiplier on the total you gathered during the Dog Race feature. It's the victory lap you're hoping for.
What extra features does Wildhound Derby have?
While the Dog Race Feature is the undisputed main event, the base game has a few mechanics that keep things ticking over. It's all about the build-up and the anticipation for the race.
Dog Wilds: These are the stars of the show. They only appear on reel 5 and represent the four greyhounds. Landing all four in a single stack triggers the bonus, but even if only one, two, or three land, they still act as standard wilds for that spin. Seeing them pop up is a constant reminder that the big race could be just a spin away.
Golden Trophy Wilds: These are your bread-and-butter wilds. Appearing on reels 1 through 4, the Golden Trophy substitutes for all standard paying symbols to help you form combinations.
Stacked Symbols: The regular paying symbols — the wads of cash, betting slips, and rosettes — can appear in stacks. This creates the possibility of covering entire reels with the same symbol, leading to multiple payline combinations from a single spin. It's the core mechanism that provides the base game's most notable moments while you wait for the dogs to appear on reel 5.
Where can I play Wildhound Derby?
Wildhound Derby is available to play at PokerStars Casino.
To get started, simply register for your free PokerStars Casino account. Once you're set up, you'll have access to this and our complete library of hundreds of other games. And if you enjoy the thematic depth of Play'n GO slots, you might also want to check out the iconic Egyptian adventure, Book of Dead, another player favourite from the same provider.
The game is built to work seamlessly wherever you choose to play. We tested it on a mobile device, and the experience is flawless. The interface is clean, the gameplay is fluid, and it adapts perfectly to both landscape and portrait modes. Whether you're settling in for a session at your desktop or have a few minutes to spare while on the move, the race track fits perfectly in your pocket. You'll find Wildhound Derby and a world of other titles on our main Online Slots page, all ready to play.
What are the different symbols in Wildhound Derby?
Here's what appears on the paytable. In Wildhound Derby, every symbol is pulled straight from the theme, and they are split into a few clear categories:
High-paying symbols: Keep an eye out for the stack of banknotes, the champion's rosette, the bookie's betting slip, and the race tickets. These are the symbols that carry the most weight in the base game.
Low-paying symbols: The classic card royals — A, K, Q, J, and 10 — fill out the lower end of the paytable. They are styled to look like stadium signage, which is a nice touch that keeps you in the moment.
Wilds: As covered earlier, there are two types. The Golden Trophy is your standard wild on reels 1-4. The four Dog Wilds are the special symbols that appear on reel 5 and unlock the Dog Race Feature.
Wildhound Derby: Final Thoughts
Wildhound Derby is a game with a singular focus: its bonus round. The Dog Race Feature provides the game's most exciting moments, with its unique racing mechanic creating genuine tension and entertainment value. The base game features, including stacked symbols and wild combinations, offer engaging gameplay throughout your session.
It's a cleverly designed slot that will appeal to players who appreciate a strong theme and a clear, high-impact bonus mechanic. The combination of the racing atmosphere and the innovative bonus feature creates a distinctive slot experience. Pick your favourite dog and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a night at the track.
Remember that gambling should always be approached as entertainment, not as a way to make money. Set spending limits before you play, and only wager what you can afford to lose. Take regular breaks to maintain control of your gaming, and always play responsibly. The game's features and theme are designed for adult entertainment only.