Dead or Alive 2 Pokie

Dead or Alive 2 Pokie – an in‑depth guide for New Zealand players

Dead or Alive 2 is NetEnt’s long‑awaited sequel to the legendary Dead or Alive slot released in 2009. NetEnt (now part of Evolution Group) created Dead or Alive 2 to upgrade the graphics and game features while keeping the Wild West theme that made the original so popular. The game is available at many New Zealand‑friendly online casinos and is often referred to as a “pokie”. This guide explains how the game works, its payout potential, the three free‑spin bonuses and where Kiwi players can enjoy it.

Overview and technical details

Dead or Alive 2 is a video slot with five reels, three rows and nine fixed paylines. It has a high volatility (variance), meaning that wins are less frequent but potentially very large. The return‑to‑player (RTP) percentage is 96.8 %, which is slightly above the online‑slot average. NetEnt/Evolution’s official site states that the game offers a potential 100,000× win of your total bet and operates on a 9‑payline, 5‑reel grid.

Visuals and theme

Dead or Alive 2 stays faithful to the Wild‑West theme. The background shows a dusty, deserted town while the reels hang from wooden beams. Reviews highlight improved graphics and atmospheric sound compared with the original game. NetEnt uses five outlaw characters as wild symbols, each assigned to a specific reel: Apache the Kid (reel 1), Della Rose (reel 2), Jesse James (reel 3), Belle Star (reel 4) and Billy the Kid (reel 5). The scatter symbol is a pair of crossed pistols with a longhorn skull; landing two or more pays instant scatter prizes up to 2,500× your bet.

How to play Dead or Alive 2

1. Choose an online casino. New Zealand players should select licensed casinos offering NetEnt games. Sites like Lizaro Casino and DudeSpin carry Dead or Alive 2. Make sure the casino accepts NZ dollars and holds a reputable gaming licence.
2. Set your bet. The game uses nine fixed paylines, so your total bet is the coin value multiplied by nine. Most reviews state a minimum bet of NZ$0.09 and a maximum bet between NZ$3.60 and NZ$18. Because of the high volatility, start with low stakes until you understand the game’s behaviour.
3. Spin the reels. Wins are made by landing three or more matching symbols on a payline from left to right. Wild symbols substitute for all base‑game symbols except scatters.
4. Watch for scatters and wilds. Scatters pay 2×, 4×, 25× and 2,500× your bet when two, three, four or five appear. Landing three or more scatters triggers the free‑spins bonus feature, where you choose one of three bonus games.
5. Free‑spin bonus. Once activated, the bonus awards 12 free spins and lets you choose between Train Heist, Old Saloon or High Noon Saloon features. Details of these modes are summarised below.

Symbols and payouts

The paytable combines standard playing‑card symbols (10 through A) with higher‑paying Western‑themed icons. PlayUSA provides a clear table of payouts for five, four or three of a kind. Below is a summary of the payouts for five‑symbol combinations (values are multiplied by your bet per payline and expressed here in NZD):

Symbol	5‑of‑a‑kind payout*	Notes
Wild (Outlaws)	1500×	Substitutes for other symbols; appears during free spins only
Sheriff’s badge	1000×	Highest paying base‑game symbol
Pistol (crossed guns)	750×
Cowboy hat	400×
Cowboy boots	300×
Whiskey bottle	200×
A, K, Q, J, 10	200× down to 25×	Lower‑value symbols – e.g., Ace pays 200× for five, Ten pays 25×.

*Payouts are multiples of the coin/bet per line, so the actual NZ$ amount is your payline stake multiplied by the figure above. For example, five sheriff badges pay 1000× your bet per line (≈NZ$100 if your bet per line is NZ$0.10).

Scatter wins are awarded wherever scatters land. The Evolution site states that two scatters pay 2× your bet, three pay 4×, four pay 25× and five pay 2,500×.

Free‑spin bonus features

Dead or Alive 2 offers a free‑spins bonus with three different modes. Each mode starts with 12 free spins but has unique mechanics that suit different risk levels. The bonus is triggered by landing at least three scatter symbols; five scatters not only activate free spins but also pay 2,500× your bet. Below is a comparison of the three free‑spin modes.

Free‑spin mode	Characteristics	Volatility / potential	Additional free spins
Train Heist	Starts with 12 free spins; each wild increases a win‑multiplier by 1× and awards 1 extra free spin. A progress bar shows the multiplier; reaching 16× awards 5 extra spins	Lowest volatility of the three modes; can still produce large wins because the multiplier can grow without limit. Suitable for players who prefer more frequent wins.	Unlimited extra spins as long as wilds keep landing; 5 extra spins when the multiplier reaches 16×.
Old Saloon	Begins with 12 free spins where all wins are multiplied by 2×. Sticky wilds remain in place during the bonus. Landing at least one sticky wild on each reel awards 5 extra spins.	Medium volatility; replicates the bonus from the original Dead or Alive slot. Because wins are doubled and sticky wilds stay, it can deliver sizeable payouts.	5 extra spins if each reel contains a sticky wild.
High Noon Saloon	12 free spins with sticky wilds that also act as multipliers. When two wilds land on the same reel they become double multipliers (2×); three wilds on the same reel become triple multipliers (3×). Landing a sticky wild on each reel awards 5 extra spins.	Highest volatility; potential for wins up to 100,000× your stake. Suitable for players who like very high risk/high reward.	5 extra spins for sticky wilds on all reels.

Bonus buy option

NetEnt added a bonus‑buy feature after the game’s initial release. Paying 66× your stake gives immediate access to the free‑spin bonus round. This feature may not be available in every jurisdiction, but when available it provides a shortcut to the most lucrative part of the game. Because of the high volatility, this option is risky and should be used cautiously.

RTP, volatility and payout potential

The RTP of Dead or Alive 2 is 96.8–96.82 %, meaning that, on average, the game returns about NZ$96.80 for every NZ$100 wagered over a long period. This is slightly higher than the 96 % industry average and higher than many pokies in New Zealand. However, RTP is a theoretical figure; individual sessions can vary widely.

Volatility is very high, and long sequences of non-winning spins are common before the bonus round triggers. When the bonus does activate, however, it can deliver extremely large payouts.

Maximum win: The game offers a potential maximum win of up to 100,000× the stake. At higher betting levels, this places Dead or Alive 2 among the most lucrative pokies available, with theoretical payouts reaching well into six-figure NZD amounts.

Tips and responsible gaming for NZ players

1. Start with free demos. Many casinos let you play Dead or Alive 2 in demo mode. This allows you to learn the game’s mechanics without risking real money.
2. Manage your budget. Because Dead or Alive 2 is extremely volatile, set a session budget and stick to it. Use smaller stakes (NZ$0.09–NZ$0.45 per spin) until you are comfortable with the game’s swings.
3. Choose the right free‑spin mode. If you prefer more frequent wins, select Train Heist; for balanced risk choose Old Saloon; and if you’re chasing huge payouts and can withstand dry spells, go for High Noon Saloon.
4. Take advantage of NZ‑friendly bonuses. Look for licensed casinos that accept NZD and offer bonuses without complicated wagering requirements.
5. Gamble responsibly. Always play within your means. Use features like deposit limits and self‑exclusion if needed. Remember that high volatility means long periods without wins; never chase losses.

Conclusion

Dead or Alive 2 brings the Wild West alive for New Zealand pokie fans. With its high RTP, stunning visuals and three distinct free‑spin modes, it delivers excitement and the potential for life‑changing wins. However, the game is one of the most volatile slots available, so players should approach it with caution and a clear budget. Whether you are a fan of the original Dead or Alive or a newcomer to NetEnt’s pokies, Dead or Alive 2 offers a thrilling ride and the chance to win up to 100,000× your stake.