Deal With Death (Hacksaw Gaming) – Slot Review
Deal With Death by Hacksaw Gaming has a dark, stylised theme that blends macabre imagery with classic card game elements, creating a visually striking and atmospheric experience. The aesthetic draws inspiration from gothic and occult motifs, with symbols and visuals that evoke the idea of mortality, fate, and high stakes.
Visually, the slot uses bold, contrasting colours and dramatic character designs. Standard playing card suits are paired with stylised, premium card symbols that resemble powerful figures or artefacts, while multiple Joker variants play a central role—both thematically and mechanically—reinforcing the idea of unpredictability and chaos.
The overarching atmosphere bridges traditional card game imagery with a more sinister twist. Shadows, bold outlines, and enigmatic artwork contribute to a moody and intense vibe, reflecting the title’s suggestion of confronting danger or risk (“deal with death”). This thematic choice aligns with the game’s hybrid mechanics, particularly the Poker Mode, where ordinary reel spins transition into hands of poker, evoking tension similar to facing a decisive hand in a high-stakes card game.
Deal With Death is played on a 5×4 reel grid with 14 fixed paylines. This high-volatility slot features an RTP of 96.25% and a maximum win of 20,000x, with stakes ranging from £0.10 to £50. The game blends traditional slot mechanics with poker-inspired gameplay, creating a distinctive hybrid experience.
Deal With Death Symbols & Pay Table
The slot includes 14 symbols in total. Four low-paying symbols are represented by the classic card suits—Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, and Spades—while four premium symbols take the form of coloured playing cards in green, orange, blue, and purple. The Purple Card is the highest-paying symbol, awarding 20x for five of a kind. In addition, the game features a Scatter symbol and several Joker variants: the standard Joker, Hand Multiplier Joker, Global Multiplier Joker, and the Triple Trouble Joker.
Deal With Death Features & Mechanics
Classic Mode and Poker Mode
The base game operates in Classic Mode, using standard reels and payline wins. When a Joker symbol lands, the game transitions into Poker Mode after all line wins are paid. In Poker Mode, all symbols on the grid transform into poker cards. Each row forms a five-card poker hand, with the game automatically selecting the best possible combination based on the poker paytable. All cards are randomly generated and are not tied to a physical deck.
In Classic Mode, the Joker symbol acts as a Wild and substitutes for all paying symbols. Only one Joker can land at a time. Once Poker Mode is triggered, the Joker transforms into one of four Joker types, each affecting gameplay differently.
Joker Types
The Regular Joker transforms into the most beneficial poker card for its row before poker hands are evaluated.
The Hand Multiplier Joker applies a row-specific multiplier—ranging from 2x to 10x—for one spin before transforming into an optimal poker card. Multiple Hand Multiplier Jokers on the same row will have their values added together.
The Global Multiplier Joker applies a 2x to 10x multiplier to all winning poker hands on the grid for one spin, stacking additively with any other multipliers.
The Triple Trouble Joker activates after poker wins are paid. Once the grid is evaluated, all cards are collected, shuffled, and the three best possible poker hands are redealt and paid one by one. Any non-winning Joker cards are converted into random poker cards.
Poker Hand Values
The poker paytable ranges from Two Pair (5x) up to Royal Flush (2,000x). Other hands include Three of a Kind (10x), Straight (25x), Flush (50x), Full House (75x), Four of a Kind (100x), and Straight Flush (500x), with each hand evaluated independently per row.
Bonus Games
The Deal With It bonus is triggered by landing three Free Spins Scatter symbols, awarding 10 free spins. If a Joker lands on the triggering spin, Poker Mode activates after any poker wins are paid. This bonus retains base-game mechanics but increases the likelihood of Joker symbols appearing. Additional Scatters during the bonus can award extra free spins, and the feature may be purchased for 100x the stake.
The Dealbreaker bonus activates with four Free Spins Scatters and also begins with 10 free spins. Alongside increased Joker frequency, each poker hand win permanently increases that hand’s payout by its base value for the remainder of the bonus. This feature can be purchased for 200x the stake.
The hidden epic bonus, Fool’s Gold, is triggered by landing five Free Spins Scatters. It follows the Dealbreaker mechanics but guarantees a Joker symbol on every spin, ensuring constant Poker Mode activation. Extra free spins can still be awarded through additional Scatters.
Conclusion
Deal With Death is an ambitious and distinctive release from Hacksaw Gaming that successfully merges traditional slot play with poker-style mechanics. The transition between Classic Mode and Poker Mode keeps gameplay fresh, while the variety of Joker symbols adds meaningful depth and unpredictability. Its dark, high-stakes theme pairs well with the complex feature set, making every trigger feel impactful. However, the layered mechanics and volatility may feel overwhelming for casual players. Overall, Deal With Death stands out as a bold, feature-rich slot that rewards players who enjoy strategy, risk, and something a little different from the norm. Be sure to try out this game on launch and check out our exclusive casino offers.