The Great Stick-Up is a high-volatility Pragmatic Play crime slot with a 5 x 3 grid and 20 paylines, where sticky Mystery symbols copy adjacent icons and gain overlay upgrades.
The analysis examines how copied symbols and progressive overlays concentrate feature value without changing the fixed-line base structure.
RTP and game details
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Release date | May 19, 2022 |
| RTP | 95.32% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | x5,000 |
| Reels | 5 x 3 |
| Paylines/Ways | 20 |
| Min/Max bet | $0.20-$100 |
| Theme | Crime, Mafia & Heists, Adventure & Treasure |
| Bonus buy | Not specified |
Sticky mysteries copy adjacent symbols
Across its compact 5 x 3 screen, the game evaluates combinations on 20 fixed paylines. Regular symbols form left-to-right results, while police-siren Scatters provide the route into seven free spins when at least three appear during one base spin.
Inside the feature, a Mystery symbol remains fixed in its landing position and opens to show the symbol displayed in the cell immediately to the right. This copied identity can support paylines crossing the persistent Mystery location.
Overlay icons can land on ordinary symbols during free spins. Collecting at least two upgrades the value attached to Mystery symbols, and the sequence ends when the seven awarded spins have been completed without further remaining rounds.
Copied cells and overlay upgrades
- Paylines: Twenty fixed routes keep copied outcomes position-sensitive.
- Mystery: A sticky cell mirrors its immediate right-hand neighbor.
- Persistence: Copied positions remain available through the feature sequence.
- Overlays: Collected icons raise the value of Mystery symbols.
- Seven spins: A fixed round limits time for progressive upgrades.
- Scatters: Police sirens combine entry with separate trigger awards.
Copied symbols need line support
Payout value is concentrated in free spins where persistent Mystery cells can repeatedly support the fixed payline map. A copied high-value icon still needs matching symbols on the required reels, so its revealed identity is not an independent award.
Overlay collection can raise Mystery values, but the upgrade matters only when those symbols participate in payable lines. Late overlays have fewer remaining spins to influence, while early sticky cells can receive more opportunities for paying right-hand copies.
Capped at x5,000, the game round has no identified single route to the maximum. High volatility and the seven-spin boundary mean that symbol placement, copy identity and upgrade timing must align before the modifier structure produces value.
Player fit and limitations
- May suit: Players who follow sticky symbol-copy mechanics.
- May suit: Players comparing progressive upgrades on fixed paylines.
- May not: Players wanting an open-ended bonus duration.
- May not: Players who dislike reading neighboring cell relationships.
Partially upgraded Mystery cells can encourage repeated feature hunting.
Use Responsible Gambling guidance to set a separate feature budget.
Other sticky mystery progressions
Both alternatives combine persistent symbols with feature-state upgrades.
| Slot | RTP | Volatility | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fate of Fortune | 95% | High | Adds walking Wilds and respins around mystery transformations. |
| Glorious Guardians | 96.49% | Medium-High | Uses Hold and Win alongside mystery and sticky symbols. |
Search the Slots directory for more persistent-symbol bonus systems.
Three, four and five Scatters pay x2, x10 and x100.
Each qualifying trigger also starts the seven-spin round.
FAQ
The symbol immediately to the right determines the copied identity. The Mystery remains in its own fixed position.
The confirmed rule places overlays on regular-sized symbols. Collecting two or more upgrades the Mystery-symbol value.
No. Matching symbols must still occupy the other required reel positions on an active line.
The triggered feature starts with seven rounds. That fixed length limits how long sticky copies and overlays can develop.







