Finn's Golden Tavern is NetEnt's sequel to the popular Finn and the Swirly Spin, released in December 2019. It keeps the 5x5 grid and cluster pays system from the original but relocates Finn from the swirly forest to an Irish tavern setting, bringing a fresh set of features along for the ride. The RTP sits at 96.1% with volatility rated 7 out of 10 - medium-high territory. Hit frequency is 21%, and the maximum payout reaches 1,100x your stake. Bets range from 0.10 to 500.
The tavern theme is well executed. Finn sits to one side of the reels, presiding over his pub with a pint-ready grin, while the background shows a cosy Irish bar complete with wooden barrels and warm lighting. The symbol design uses colourful gems and the game's signature coin symbols, all rendered with NetEnt's typically polished animation quality. When clusters form and cascade away, new symbols drop in with a satisfying weight to them. The Irish folk-inspired soundtrack ties the whole atmosphere together without becoming grating over extended sessions.
Coins Ahoy
The coin mechanic is central to how Finn's Golden Tavern works. Coin symbols appear on the reels with individual values assigned to them, and when three or more matching coins form a cluster, the payout equals the sum of all coin values in that cluster. This is different from standard symbol wins where payout scales are fixed - here, the actual value of each coin matters.
This creates interesting variance within the coin feature itself. A cluster of three low-value coins pays modestly, but three high-value coins in the same cluster formation pay substantially more. The coin values are randomised each spin, so you can land identical-looking clusters that pay very differently depending on what values were assigned. It adds a layer of anticipation beyond simply watching for cluster sizes.
Random Coin Feature
This feature ties into the free spins chest symbol's position on the grid. When the chest symbol sits in the immediate ring of symbols surrounding the central position (close but not quite centre), the Random Coin Feature can activate. When it triggers, low-paying symbols on the reels transform into coin symbols with assigned values.
The transformation can turn what looked like a dead spin into a profitable one by converting low symbols into coins that then have a chance to form winning clusters. It acts as a rescue mechanic of sorts, giving spins where the chest is close to centre an extra chance at producing something worthwhile.
Fist Slam Feature
Finn's Fist Slam is a random base game feature that activates on no-win spins. When a spin produces no winning clusters, Finn can slam his fist on the table, moving a coin symbol to a new position on the grid where it creates a winning cluster. This is not guaranteed on every losing spin - it triggers randomly - but it provides a safety net that turns some empty results into small wins.
The Fist Slam cannot create massive payouts since it is repositioning a single coin to form a minimum cluster, but it keeps the game ticking over during quieter stretches and contributes to that 21% hit frequency.
Free Spins
Free spins trigger when the chest symbol lands in the exact central position on the 5x5 grid after all avalanches (cascading wins) have completed. You receive 5 free spins, which might sound modest, but two additional mechanics make them significantly more valuable than the base game.
First, a multiplier meter appears during free spins. Every wild symbol generated during avalanches advances the meter by one step, and for every 5 steps accumulated, the win multiplier increases by 1. This means the more avalanches and wilds you generate, the higher your multiplier climbs, and it applies to all subsequent wins in the round. Building the multiplier early in the free spins makes the remaining spins increasingly valuable.
Second, the Free Spins Coin Bonus can trigger during the round. If the chest symbol lands in the central position during free spins (after avalanches complete), it activates a coin bonus that places multiple coin symbols with random values across the reels. Combined with the multiplier from the meter, these coin values get amplified, and this is where the game's 1,100x maximum win potential lives.
How It All Connects
What makes Finn's Golden Tavern work is how its features layer together. The base game has coins providing variable-value wins, the Random Coin Feature converting dead symbols into potential winners, and the Fist Slam rescuing some losing spins. Then the free spins tie these mechanics together with a multiplier that rewards sustained winning streaks and a coin bonus that can flood the reels with value.
The 7 out of 10 volatility and 21% hit frequency reflect this layered design. The base game is active enough to maintain your balance between bonus triggers, while the free spins provide meaningful upside when they connect. It is a more complex slot than most, with several interacting systems to track, but the tavern theme and Finn's animated reactions keep the experience entertaining rather than overwhelming. If you enjoyed the original Finn and the Swirly Spin, this sequel offers the same personality with a distinctly different set of mechanics to explore.
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