Chinese New Year

Overview

Chinese New Year is a 5×3 video slot from Fa Chai that plays on a 243-ways engine. The math core is defined: 96.25 % theoretical RTP, a “Medium-High” volatility label and a win cap advertised at 12,000× bet. Beyond that, the official feature line simply says Free Game, Retrigger and Progressive Jackpot without revealing how any of them work.

What I can confirm

• Confirmed (official): 96.25 % RTP; Medium-High volatility; 243 ways; 12,000× stated maximum win; features list includes Free Game, Progressive Jackpot, Retrigger.
• Listed elsewhere (unverified): €0.60–€600 bet range, release month December 2022, quick-spin option not offered, no gamble side game.

What this means for a player

• The 96 %+ RTP is on the solid side of industry average; still, check the paytable in your casino because multiple RTP versions can exist.
• Medium-High volatility usually implies long dry spells coupled with occasional spikes. Treat stake sizing conservatively until you feel the hit rhythm.
• The 12,000× ceiling is sizeable: it gives genuine top-end excitement, but reaching it will sit deep in the tail of the distribution.
• The progressive jackpot mention is intriguing; confirm whether it is a local, networked or merely a marketing term for a fixed pot before you commit big money.
• If you rely on bonus rounds for value, verify how the Free Game triggers and whether retriggers are capped.

Verify in 60 seconds (rules/paytable)

• Open the paytable and scroll to the RTP footer – make sure it still shows 96.25 % in your jurisdiction.
• Look for Free Game rules: number of spins awarded, triggering symbols, any multipliers, retrigger cap.
• Find the Progressive Jackpot panel: check contribution rate, eligibility per bet size and whether the 12,000× cap applies to it or to base-game pay.

My take

On paper, Chinese New Year sits in the sweet spot between achievable RTP and ambitious top prize. The information gap, however, is the exact structure of its bonus and jackpot. Until that is fully clear, I’d treat the game as a potentially swingy 243-ways slot and limit exposure accordingly. The demo version is handy for gauging hit frequency but not for assessing return because progressive pots are normally disabled there.

Responsible gambling

This title is designed for adults (18+ or legal age in your location). Set a loss limit, take regular breaks and remember that the 96 % RTP is a long-term statistic, not a guarantee for any single session.