Features of the Game
Deadwood xNudge Theme, Grid, Symbols and Payouts
Deadwood xNudge is among the most unique slots to play at sweepstakes casinos. Its Wild West theme, dusty frontier town aesthetic, Wanted posters, and saloon soundtrack are competent. What matters more is the underlying structure. The grid is non-rectangular at 3-4-4-4-3 reels wide. Wins stack left to right on adjacent reels, and all overlapping wins pay on that spin.
There is no payout for Wilds on their own. They will substitute into the highest paying winning combination and take the place of any other symbol except the Scatter and the Bonus symbols.
| Symbol | 3 of a kind | 4 of a kind | 5 of a kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium 1 | 1.0x | 2.5x | 6.0x |
| Premium 2 | 0.8x | 2.0x | 5.0x |
| Premium 3 | 0.6x | 1.5x | 4.0x |
| Premium 4 | 0.5x | 1.2x | 3.0x |
| Premium 5 | 0.4x | 1.0x | 2.5x |
| Low A / K / Q / J / 10 | 0.1x-0.3x | 0.4x-0.8x | 0.8x-1.5x |
Deadwood xNudge Bonus Features Explained
Found at the leading sweeps online casinos, Deadwood xNudge loads its complexity into four confirmed game features: the xNudge Hunter Wild engine, a base game Shoot Out trigger, a choice mechanic that determines your Free Spins round and a native Shoot Out Free Spins entryway. The following table briefly explains each one and how they play together.
| Feature | Trigger | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| xNudge Hunter Wilds | Lands on reels 2-4 only | Nudges fully into view, +1 multiplier per step, multiple wilds add together |
| Shoot Out (Base Game) | Sheriff Badges on reels 1 and 5 | Low symbols on center three reels turn wild |
| Free Spins | 3 Scatters | 8 spins, player chooses Hunter or Gunslinger mode |
| Shoot Out Free Spins | 3 Scatters + 2 Sheriff Badges | 10 spins, badges locked in place, Shoot Out effect persists every spin |
The Shoot Out Upgrade Rewards Patience
The easiest upgrade to view as simply luck-based is the Shoot Out upgrade since the upgrade only occurs when both Sheriff Badges land during the same spin. What may not be so apparent is that when this upgrade occurs, both badges remain active for the remainder of the round. Therefore, spins during an upgraded round don’t have to land another set of badges to activate the Shoot Out feature; those spins automatically trigger the Shoot Out effect. This obviously changes the probabilities halfway through a feature: an upgrade doesn’t just improve one spin, it improves every spin from that point forward for the duration of the bonus. Since the bonus could occur on the last spin of an 8 spin round, calling a Hunter or Gunslinger round a loss prematurely ignores the reality that the upgraded value is predetermined for however many spins are left.
RTP Versions, Volatility, and Realistic Win Distribution of Deadwood xNudge Slot
Players interested in sweeps slots with high RTP should take note of this game. However, you’ll want to understand how it’s configured first. There are several RTP versions based on the mode and options you choose. Check the info screen prior to spinning for details. The help guide clearly states that Hunter Spins provides the highest RTP.
| Mode | Hunter | Gunslinger |
|---|---|---|
| Base Game | 96.03% | 96.02% |
| Free Spins Buy | 96.11% | 96.06% |
| Shoot Out Free Spins Buy | 96.12% | 96.08% |
Hunter free spins count as high volatility; Gunslinger leans towards extreme volatility. 40.17% hit frequency translates to slightly less than two out of every five spins paying out, however most hitting spins will only pay back small line wins that are well under the stake amount wagered. The 1 in 197 chance to activate the bonus feature is not distributed equally: stretches of several hundred spins without a bonus are statistically expected, not a game defect. The maximum possible payout of 13,950x is effectively inconceivable, only expected to occur once every 10 billion hands on average, therefore shouldn’t factor into a bankroll strategy.
How to Choose Between Hunter and Gunslinger Spins in Deadwood xNudge
Triggering three Scatters puts you in a unique situation because you don’t just earn a bonus round. Hunter and Gunslinger Spins pay out differently in important ways. Here’s how to decide which one to choose.
Step 1
Learn What Each Mode Offers
Hunter Spins ensure there is always at least one Hunter Wild on the middle reels every time they spin. This allows Hunter Spins to deliver a constant and reliable flow of multiplier wins. Gunslinger Spins provide no guarantees, rather they accumulate towards one sticky, uncapped multiplier which increases only when a Wild occurs.
Step 2
Weigh Consistency Against Ceiling
Hunter Spins has the better published RTP, as guaranteed Wild placement normalizes outcomes over the course of a session. Gunslinger Spins sacrifices that stability for more top-end potential: its multiplier is locked in and uncapped for the duration of the feature, so a string of Wild greatly compounds much farther than Hunter Spins can achieve in the same 8 spins.
Step 3
Track Sheriff Badges During Either Mode
No matter which mode you select, Sheriff Badges that land on reels 1 and 5 should still be noted. They award an additional spin for that round. If you fill both reels with badges in one spin, the feature levels up, locking the badges into place. You’ll also experience the Shoot Out feature on all remaining spins.
Step 4
Decide Your Mode Before You Need To
Because it occurs instantly once three Scatters appear, whether you go for Hunter’s lower volatility or Gunslinger’s higher volatility before you play dictates that you won’t be having to make that decision when you’re staring down at a blinking trigger. Look at it as a decision you make for each session based on bankroll management, rather than decide on each spin.
Similar Slots to Play at Sweepstakes Casinos
Fans of Deadwood xNudge’s high volatility and multiplier hunt gameplay will enjoy these five games from other studios available at sweepstakes casinos.
| Slot | Provider | RTP | Max Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead or Alive 2 | NetEnt | 96.80% | 111,111x |
| Wanted Dead or a Wild | Hacksaw Gaming | 96.38% | 12,500x |
| Money Train 3 | Relax Gaming | 96.10% | 100,000x |
| Book of Dead | Play'n GO | 96.21% | 5,000x |
| Razor Shark | Push Gaming | 96.70% | 85,475x |
Conclusion: Who Deadwood xNudgexNudge Suits and What to Verify Before Playing
Deadwood xNudge is best suited for high variance seekers that are chasing extreme swings with deep systems knowledge, and not ideal if you’re looking to preserve your SC. Double-check which RTP version is live when you play, know the breakdown of volatility between Hunter & Gunslinger sessions, verify the bonus buy option is available in your region, and most importantly, establish your own deposit and time betting limits before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Actual RTP if Hunter Spins are Chosen Instead of Gunslinger Spins in Deadwood xNudge?
Hunter returns higher than Gunslinger in base play, at 96.03% compared to 96.02%. Hunter tops out at 96.12% with the Shoot Out free spins buy, making it the highest-return configuration overall.
How Often Do Free Spins Trigger in the Deadwood xNudgexNudge Slot?
Free spins appear at the rate of 1 free spin in every 197 spins. Bonuses don’t come very often. The average isn’t distributed evenly, except droughts of several hundred spins are common in short sessions.
What is the Maximum I Can Win When Playing Deadwood xNudge?
Maximum win is 13,950x stake. The official probability of hitting this is 1 in 10,000,000,000 rounds. This is an extremely rare occurrence.
What Happens if Both Sheriff Badges Land During Free Spins in Deadwood xNudge?
If both Sheriff Badges land in the same spin on Hunter or Gunslinger Spins, that round is upgraded to Shoot Out Hunter or Shoot Out Gunslinger Spins. The badges remain active, so the Shoot Out modifier applies to all subsequent spins of that round.
What Triggers the Shoot Out Feature in Deadwood xNudge?
Shoot Out is triggered when Sheriff Badge symbols appear on reels 1 and 5 during the same spin. This can happen both during normal gameplay, or during an active Free Spins round. All low paying symbols on reels 2, 3 and 4 become wild.