Laughing Buddha slot review
Habanero’s Laughing Buddha slot has an RTP of 96.64% and a max win of 56,043x, with 28 paylines and high volatility.
In terms of features, there are Wilds, free spins, and a progressive jackpot to keep players on their toes. My Laughing Buddha slot review covers all the small details you’ll want to know before playing.
Highlights
| RTP | 96.64% |
| Stakes range | 1401 |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 56,043x |
| Jackpots | 1 |
| Number of reels | 5 |
| Number of rows | 3 |
| Number of paylines | 28 |
| Software provider | Habanero |
| Slot type | Video slots |
| Slot theme | Asian |
| Launch date | 10/12/2024 |
General ratings
Expert verdict
Habanero’s Laughing Buddha presents an immersive and quirky slot on the surface, but players mustn’t mistake its playfulness for an easygoing slot. The wide bet range of this slot and its high volatility make it one for high-rollers only.
The combination of high volatility and a bet range of $0.28–$1,400 means players need to manage their budget carefully. Inexperienced players could find it difficult to keep up. The slot also has wide increments between bet values, making it inaccessible to smaller budgets.
Laughing Buddha has an RTP of 96.64%, which is just above the industry average and balances out the slot’s high volatility well. There’s also good payout potential, as the highest symbol can pay out $50,000 on max bet and an impressive max win of 56,043x your stake.
The bonus features keep the slot engaging with Wilds, multipliers, and free spins. The free spins can be quite lucrative, thanks to the expanding symbols, which open up opportunities for big wins. The Wild multipliers also provide a boost, but they don’t land on the reels often. The slot has a progressive jackpot, but it has an RTP of 1.00%, so it’s not a highlight feature of this slot.
From a visual perspective, the slot’s symbols are constantly animated and full of detail. They’re the visual pull in the game and bring it to life, although the slot is a bit overloaded with animations.
- Expanding symbols can be lucrative
- 96.64% RTP
- Bet range of $0.28–$1,400
- High volatility
- Only eight free spins
- Room for other bonus features
Where to play Laughing Buddha
Looking for a casino to play Laughing Buddha? Habanero slots can be found at almost any casino, but these are my recommendations:
| Casino Logo | Rating | Bonus | Go-to-casino button | Show more | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
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82/100 Expert rating by Denise M. 83% Playscore based on |
7,500 Gold Coins + 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins
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2
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83/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 83% Playscore based on |
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3
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87/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 82% Playscore based on |
7,500 Gold Coins + 2.5 Sweeps Coins
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8 payment methods
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1
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94/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 91% Playscore based on |
1.5 million WOW Coins + 35 free Sweepstakes Coins
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8 payment methods 
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2
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91/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 82% Playscore based on |
200,000 Gold Coins + 3 Sweepstakes Coins
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15 payment methods
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3
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89/100 Expert rating by Vule P. 79% Playscore based on |
500 Gold Coins + 3 FREE Sweeps Coins
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Play now players accepted |
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8 payment methods
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4
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89/100 Expert rating by Claire S. 89% Playscore based on |
400% Welcome Package Discount, 1M FC + 1M GC Raffle Entry, 20 Weekly Free Spins
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Play now players accepted |
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6 payment methods
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5
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89/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 87% Playscore based on |
Up to 120,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
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Play now players accepted |
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3 payment methods
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6
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89/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 79% Playscore based on |
1,000,000 Gold Coins + 2.5 Spree Coins
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Play now players accepted |
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5 payment methods
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7
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89/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 81% Playscore based on |
10,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins
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Play now players accepted |
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10 payment methods
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8
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88/100 Expert rating by Dasha G. 87% Playscore based on |
2,000,000 Gold Coins and 2 FREE Sweeps Coins
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Play now players accepted |
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9 payment methods
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9
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88/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 90% Playscore based on |
57,000 Gold Coins + 27.5 free Sweeps Coins
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Play now players accepted |
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4 payment methods
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|
10
|
88/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 96% Playscore based on |
250,000 Gold Coins + $25 Stake Cash
|
Play now players accepted |
Good to know
10 payment methods
|
Laughing Buddha RTP and volatility
The Laughing Buddha slot RTP is 96.64%, with high volatility and 28 paylines. During free spins, the RTP is 96.57%.
There are nine paying symbols, not including the Wild or Scatter. The symbols are a combination of traditional card symbols and Asian-themed icons. The lowest-paying symbols are 10, J, Q, K, and A. Pn the lowest bet of $0.28, the 10 awards $0.05 for three symbols and $0.30 for five. At the same bet, The A, while still a low-paying symbol, pays out better, awarding $0.10 for three and $2.50 for five.
Payout facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.64% |
| Maximum win | 56,043x |
| Highest-paying symbol | The Laughing Buddha |
| Volatility | High |
The high-paying symbols are a jade mirror, a sycee, a dragon, and the laughing Buddha. The laughing Buddha is the highest-paying symbol in the game, paying out $0.50 for three symbols and $10 for five on a bet of $0.28.
The Wild symbol, a pearl with the word Wild written over it, has the same payout values as the laughing Buddha. The Scatter, which is the golden urn, awards $0.28 for three symbols, which can land anywhere on reels 1, 3, and 5.
The maximum win on Laughing Buddha is 56,043x your stake.
Payouts rating
- 56,043x potential max win
- 96.64% RTP
- High volatility
Laughing Buddha’s potential max win is impressive, at 56,043x your stake. Although this slot has high volatility and just 28 paylines, I found I hit wins relatively frequently, especially during free spins.
To compare, Fortune Charm has 243 ways to win, however, I found I landed wins across only one payline most of the time, as the slot’s high volatility caused a lower hit rate. In Laughing Buddha I often had wins across multiple paylines.Â
Fortune Charm also has an RTP of 96%, whereas Laughing Buddha has an RTP of 96.64%. Although it’s a small difference, it impacts the slot’s hit rate and means Laughing Buddha has more frequent wins.
The slot’s payout potential is good too. Although the low-paying symbols start small, awarding $0.05 for three symbols on a bet of $0.28, the A awards $2.50 for five, showing there is consistent growth between the symbols.
Five of the laughing Buddha symbol pay out 200x more than three of the 10, which is a big difference between the highest and lowest wins. As this slot has such a wide bet range, there’s room for some big wins too. On the max bet, landing five of the laughing Buddha awards $50,000, but even just landing five 10s awards $1,500.
Laughing Buddha stakes
The Laughing Buddha slot has a bet range of $0.28–$1,400. The bet is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the bet level and coin value. These can be found on either side of the spin button.
The total bet in coins, if you prefer to play that way, is 28 multiplied by the bet level. When playing in currency, the bet is the total bet in coins multiplied by the coin denomination. You can adjust either the bet level or coin denomination alone, or adjust both to find the bet value you want.
Stake facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum bet | $0.28 |
| Maximum bet | $1,400 |
| Adjustable paylines | N/A |
| Bet per line | N/A |
| Buy feature | 46x your stake |
The bet levels are 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10, while the coin values are 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.50, 1, 2, 5,
Stake limits rating
- Bet range of $0.28–$1,400
- Easy to adjust bet
- Wide increments between bets
- Not suitable for low-risk players
Laughing Buddha has an impressive max bet of $1,400, which is one of the highest I’ve come across. Most slots have a maximum bet of $100–$300, so this is definitely one for high-rollers.
The problem with this high bet range is that the increments between bets are too wide, and so while increasing or decreasing the bet is easy, the big gaps from one bet to another are almost unsustainable. To give an example, the opening bets go from $0.28, to $0.56 and $1.40.Â
The final bets jump from $560 to $1,400, a huge difference of $840. This makes it inaccessible for players with a smaller budget and even high-rollers need to exercise proper budget management so that they’re not caught out. A few spins and you could easily drain your bankroll.
If you want to play a slot that has an Asian theme but a more manageable bet range, SG Digital’s 88 Fortune slot might be a more comfortable option for you. It has a lower starting bet of $0.88 and a maximum bet of $88, making it ideal for players with a smaller budget or who are just starting out.
Bonus features on Laughing Buddha
The Laughing Buddha slot has a couple of classic bonus features. The Wild symbol can substitute for any symbol except the Scatter. It can also have a x2 or x3 multiplier, which is multiplied by the total win if it forms part of a winning line.
Free spins are triggered when three Scatters land on the reels. This awards eight free spins, but landing three more Scatters during free spins retriggers the feature and adds another eight free spins.
Once the three Scatters have triggered free spins, each golden urn will reveal a different paying symbol, asking the player to choose one. The chosen symbol will become an expanding symbol, which will cover the reels wherever it lands. If a Wild or Scatter land on the reels, the expanding symbol won’t cover those reels.
You can also use the buy feature to trigger the free spins game. The buy feature costs 46x your current bet.
Feature facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Wilds | Yes |
| Scatters | Yes |
| Other special symbols | Golden urn for expanding symbols |
| Gamble feature | N/A |
| Reel features | N/A |
| Free spins | Yes |
| Respins | N/A |
| Multipliers | Yes |
| Other bonus features | Progressive jackpot |
The Laughing Buddha also has a Jackpot Race. The Jackpot has three phases: Accumulation, Race, and Payout.
During the Accumulation phase, a portion of each bet wagered is allocated to the jackpot, although the game doesn’t define what percentage of the bet is allocated. The Jackpot display on the top left of the game window displays the countdown to the next race and the amount in the jackpot.
The Race phase lasts for 60 minutes. During this time, a portion of each bet will still be allocated to the Jackpot, with the Jackpot guaranteed to trigger before the hour is up.
The Payout phase starts once the Jackpot has been triggered. The players who place a bet closest to the Jackpot trigger will be assigned finishing positions in the race. The player’s finishing position determines how much of the jackpot is awarded to them. After the Payout phase, the display will show how much was won on the last Jackpot.
Once all the positions have been paid out, the jackpot will reset and the cycle will start again. The Jackpot Race has an RTP of 1.00%.
Bonus features rating
- Engaging free spins
- Expanding symbols
- Jackpot Race RTP is 1.00%
- Only eight free spins per round
Although Laughing Buddha’s main bonus features are ones that we’ve seen before, the slot manages to make them feel fresh and engaging. The expanding symbols in free spins are a highlight, and I found they did help maximize my wins. I had spins where four out of the five reels had the same symbol, amounting to big wins.
The free spins also trigger relatively frequently, and I managed to retrigger them once at the end of the eight free spins. The initial eight free spins is a bit limited, considering other slots offer much more. Red Tiger’s Fish n’ Fish has unlimited free spins.
The bonus buy is definitely useful, but it can cost you a bit. If your bet is set to the maximum of $1,400, the bonus buy will cost you $65,000. It’s unlikely you’ll win that much during free spins to justify the cost. At lower bets it’s more manageable.
The Wild multipliers are a good addition, and do create bigger wins when they form part of a winning line, but they don’t pop up that frequently to make a difference.
A progressive jackpot is always an exciting feature to have, but the odds are unlikely to be in your favor with it. Habanero states the RTP is 1.00%, making your chances of landing that jackpot slim to none. Some players like a jackpot, but I would have preferred a different bonus feature to add another layer to the slot.
Laughing Buddha audiovisuals
Laughing Buddha’s graphics are striking and rich in color. Its high-paying symbols are the most detailed elements of the slot, with a swaying animation that features throughout the game. This also applies to the Wild and Scatter symbols. The card symbols are painted brushstrokes and are only animated if they form part of a winning combination.
Audiovisual facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Theme | Asian |
| Graphics | Quirky, colorful, bubbly 2D |
| Animations | Good |
| Sound quality | Good |
| Mobile compatibility | Excellent |
The slot’s background features torii gates and pagodas in indigo clouds, with small fireflies flying around the lamps on either side of the grid. During free spins, the background scene changes to a yellow-toned cloud sky with cherry blossoms.
The slot has a lot of animations, especially when a win lands on the reels. The winning symbols flash, like a small firework, followed by a golden frame circling the relevant symbols. If there’s a win on more than one payline on the same reel, the frame will move up and down between the winning symbols.
The ambient music ties into the Asian theme, creating an immersive gaming environment, and the game sounds fit into it well.
Audiovisuals rating
- Modern animations
- Detailed symbols
- Music can get repetitive
- Too many animations
Visually, the symbols are the strongest part of this slot. They’re detailed and eye-catching, bringing the slot to life. The background visuals, both in the base game and in the free spins round, are nice too, but don’t have the same level of detail. They create a comfortable contrast and don’t overpower the symbols.
The slot’s animations are modern and pretty smooth, but there are too many of them. The animations of the symbols, in particular, are quite fast, which is a bit distracting. The series of animations that happen on a win also move quite fast, so the slot feels like it’s constantly moving, even when the reels aren’t spinning.
Fortunately, you can fast-forward through most of these animations, and quick spin makes them much shorter, too.
The music is well-chosen, but it can get repetitive, too. If that’s the case, you can choose to mute all sounds or just the music or game sounds separately.
Laughing Buddha game layout
The slot has a 5×3 grid with 28 paylines. At the top of the grid, there’s the Jackpot Race and the Buy Feature on the left and right. At the bottom, there’s the spin button, autoplay button, max bet button, and the information button to access the paytable. The settings button allows you to access the help section, which contains additional game details.
When a win lands on the reels, the spin button becomes a fast-forward button, offering you the option to skip through the winning animations.
The autoplay feature allows players up to 500 autospins, along with additional settings to stop if the balance decreases or a single win exceeds a set value. Quick spin is also available.
Game-layout facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Reel layout | 5×3 |
| Autoplay | Yes |
| Turbo mode | Yes |
| Ease of use | Very easy |
| Game history | N/A |
The slot works well on mobile in both portrait and landscape modes. In both modes, the grid is large, making the symbols easy to read, and the buttons are within reach. The quick spin button and sound settings are hidden in the general settings button, while the paytable and help are both under the Information button.
Game layout rating
- Clean game layout
- Autoplay and quick spin
- No game history
The slot’s game layout is great. It’s clean, it’s functional, and it’s easy. I had no problems finding my way around, and I was pleased to see how well the slot adapts to mobile. It’s not common for the slot to adjust perfectly to both portrait and landscape modes, but I would be happy to play in either format.Â
The autoplay feature is good. It’s got additional settings, and players can have as few as 10 autospins or as many as 500. 500 autopsins is one of the better ranges I’ve seen, with most slots only offering up to 100. However, there are slots such as Dead or Alive 1, which offer 1,000 autospins, so there’s room for more.
The quick spin is fast and cuts out all the extensive animations, giving you your spin results in a second. I also liked being able to fast-forward through the winning animations because this slot does have a lot of them.
