Snake Arena
Snake Arena is a Relax Gaming slot that borrows its main idea from the classic mobile game Snake. Knights and a hungry serpent share a 5×5 arena, both act as wilds, and when they meet the bonus begins: the snake chases knight after knight around the grid, growing longer with every meal and turning more of the reels wild. The round lasts until the snake crashes into its own body, so no two bonuses are the same length.
This review explains the base game, the Wild Chase feature, how the snake moves in free spins and what to expect from the RTP and volatility. Figures are based on Relax Gaming’s official game page, which lists a 96.25% RTP and a maximum win of 2,758.8x the bet, cross-checked with independent game databases.

Where to Play Snake Arena
Snake Arena is available at casinos that offer Relax Gaming titles. The casinos below are reviewed on BetsAuthority, accept Australian players and carry Relax Gaming games. Before playing, open the info screen at the casino to check which RTP version it uses.
Quick Facts About Snake Arena
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Slot | Snake Arena |
| Provider | Relax Gaming |
| Release | December 2019 |
| Layout | 5 reels / 5 rows |
| Paylines | 30 fixed lines |
| RTP | 96.25% (90% German version exists) |
| Volatility | High |
| Bet range | 0.10 to 100 per spin (casino limits may differ) |
| Maximum win | 2,758.8x the bet |
| Main feature | Snake free spins |
| Extras | Knight and snake wilds, Wild Chase, Buy Feature where allowed |
How Snake Arena Works
The arena is a 5×5 grid with 30 fixed paylines that pay from left to right. The low-value symbols are coloured coins, while the premium set includes a jewelled crown, a snake-eye gemstone, a leg of ham with a dagger and a mug of beer. According to independent paytables, five crowns on a line pay 20x the stake, which is the top regular win.
Two symbols do the heavy lifting. Knights are wilds and substitute for all regular symbols. The snake is also wild, and its head and body can cover several positions. On their own they simply help to complete lines, but when they appear together they set off the game’s features.
Wild Chase Feature
Wild Chase can trigger at random during any base game spin. A snake and one or more knights appear on the grid, and the snake moves towards them. If the snake reaches a knight on the same reel, that whole reel becomes wild. Reviews describe the feature as giving the snake several attempts and guaranteeing at least one full wild reel, which makes Wild Chase spins noticeably more valuable than ordinary ones.
A full wild reel on a 5×5 grid with 30 lines connects many possible combinations, so even low-value symbols can add up when the wild reel sits in the middle of the grid.
Snake Free Spins
Free spins are triggered when the snake and a knight land at the same time. There are no scatter symbols and no fixed number of spins. Instead, the round works like the classic game:

- A knight appears on the grid on each spin.
- The snake takes the shortest path to the knight and eats it.
- Each knight eaten makes the snake longer, so its wild body covers more positions.
- The feature continues until the snake’s path is blocked by its own body.
Because the snake’s body is wild, the longer it grows the more of the grid is wild on each spin. Early rounds with a short snake tend to pay small amounts, while a long run can leave most of the arena wild and produce the game’s biggest wins. Independent reviews also mention a fixed top prize when the snake covers most of the reels, which is where the maximum win comes from.
Buy Feature
Where bonus buys are permitted, the free spins can be purchased directly. Relax Gaming notes that the Buy Feature skips straight to the bonus, and independent reviews put the cost at 70x the stake. As with any bonus buy, the cost should be measured against your whole budget: a short snake run can return much less than the purchase price. Availability depends on your casino and jurisdiction.
RTP Versions: Check Before You Play
The standard RTP is 96.25%, and Relax Gaming also lists a 90% version for the German market. Other operators may choose different configurations. The game looks the same in every version, so open the rules or info screen inside the casino and read the RTP line before you play for money.
Volatility in Practice
Snake Arena is classed as high volatility, but its relatively low ceiling means the swings are less extreme than in games with five-figure maximum wins. Expect plenty of quiet spins in the base game, occasional boosts from Wild Chase and a free spins round that decides most sessions. A run without the bonus will usually drain a balance slowly rather than suddenly, which gives you time to stick to your limits.
Worked Example: A Growing Snake
Say you play at A$1 and trigger free spins. On the first spin the snake is only a few tiles long and eats a knight on the far side of the grid, growing by one tile. Its wild body helps complete a couple of lines with coins for a small win. Over the next spins it eats more knights and stretches across three reels.
By now each spin has a large block of wild positions, and a single crown line could pay 20x on its own, with several smaller lines alongside. Eventually the snake turns into a corner where its own body blocks the path, and the round ends. The total depends almost entirely on how long the snake survives.
Bankroll Tips for Snake Arena
- The maximum win is modest, so avoid very high stakes in pursuit of a jackpot-sized result.
- Budget for at least 200 spins; the free spins trigger requires two specific symbols together.
- Treat the bonus buy as an expensive option and set a firm limit on how many you will buy.
- Set loss and time limits before you start and use your casino’s deposit limit tools.
- Remember each spin is independent and controlled by a certified random number generator.
Pros and Cons of Snake Arena
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Original Snake-style free spins | Maximum win of 2,758.8x is modest |
| Two kinds of wilds plus Wild Chase | Free spins length is unpredictable |
| Wide bet range from 0.10 to 100 | Lower RTP versions exist |
| Buy Feature where permitted | Older graphics than newer Relax titles |
| Easy to follow rules | Short snake runs can pay very little |
Snake Arena and Its Sequel
Relax Gaming later released Snake Arena 2, which updates the presentation and mechanics of the original. The first game remains a good choice if you prefer a simpler ruleset and a lower maximum win that goes hand in hand with somewhat calmer swings.
Demo Play vs Real Money
Relax Gaming provides a free-play version of Snake Arena through its demo launcher and partner casinos, although availability depends on your location. Demo credits run on the same maths as the real game, so the demo is a good way to see how often the snake and knight meet and how long typical free spins rounds last.
For real money play, choose a licensed casino with transparent RTP information, prompt withdrawals and responsible gambling tools. Our casino reviews can help you compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Relax Gaming lists the RTP at 96.25%, and also publishes a 90% version for Germany. Check the game rules at your casino to see which version is installed.
According to Relax Gaming, the maximum win is 2,758.8x the bet. That is lower than many modern slots, which keeps the game at the gentler end of high volatility.
Free spins start when the snake and a knight land on the reels at the same time. The snake then chases knights around the grid until it runs into its own body.
Wild Chase can trigger at random in the base game. If the snake and a knight meet on the same reel, that whole reel turns wild for the spin.
Yes, where bonus buys are allowed. Independent reviews put the price at 70x the stake, but availability depends on your casino and country.
No. The free spins are triggered by the snake and knight wild symbols landing together rather than by scatters.
Responsible Gaming Note
Snake Arena is entertainment, not a way to make money. Only play if you are 18 or older, set limits before you start and stop when you reach them. If gambling stops being fun or starts to cause problems, free and confidential support is available 24/7 from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.
Final Verdict
Snake Arena turns a simple idea into a memorable bonus round, with a wild snake that grows longer on every successful hunt. The Wild Chase feature adds extra activity to the base game, and the bet range suits small and large budgets alike. The maximum win of 2,758.8x is modest by today’s standards, but it suits players who value an original mechanic over large headline numbers. Check the RTP version first.