Quick Facts
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Provider | Hacksaw Gaming |
| Release Date | September 2019 |
| Grid | 5 reels x 4 rows |
| Ways to Win | 1,024 |
| RTP | 96.1% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Max Win | 2,048x stake |
| Min/Max Bet | Typically $0.20 to $100 CAD equivalent |
Introduction
Stick 'Em holds a special place in Hacksaw Gaming's history as the studio's first-ever slot release, launching in September 2019 and introducing the world to the studio's original mascot, Cuppy the Cup. While it's genuinely modest by the standards of Hacksaw's later, far more extreme catalogue, Stick 'Em remains a charming, approachable classic that offers a fascinating look at where the studio's now-famous high-volatility design philosophy began.
Theme and Presentation
Stick 'Em embraces a genuinely quirky, offbeat visual style built around Cuppy the Cup and a cast of oddball characters, giving the game a distinctive "WTF" tone that stands apart from more conventional slot themes. As Hacksaw's debut release, it established an early template for the studio's willingness to embrace unconventional, personality-driven visual concepts rather than following well-worn genre formulas.
How Stick 'Em Plays
The game runs on 1,024 ways to win across a 5-reel, 4-row grid: land matching symbols on adjacent reels starting from reel one for a win - a considerably larger ways-to-win structure than the game's modest 2,048x max win might suggest at first glance.
Sticky Win Spin
Stick 'Em's signature mechanic is the Sticky Win Spin, triggered by landing three or more thumbs-up symbols. Once activated, all thumbs-up symbols on the reels become sticky, remaining locked in place, and the game awards a respin. If one or more new thumbs-up symbols land during that respin, they also become sticky, and another respin is awarded - a process that continues until either no new thumbs-up symbols appear or the entire reel set fills with them, which is the scenario that produces the game's 2,048x max win.
Free Spins and the Bonus Wheel
Landing three, four, or five Free Spins scatter symbols triggers the game's standard free spins feature, with the specific count depending on how many scatters landed. Interestingly, reviewers note that the game's biggest recorded wins have often come through the Sticky Win Spin feature rather than the free spins or Bonus Wheel - a reminder that in Stick 'Em, meaningful payout potential is genuinely spread across multiple mechanics rather than concentrated entirely in a single dedicated bonus round.
RTP and Volatility in Practical Terms
At 96.1%, Stick 'Em's RTP is a solid, consistent figure right around the modern industry standard, without the wide range of alternate configurations found in many of Hacksaw's later, more aggressively marketed titles. Volatility is rated medium, and the published hit frequency of 23.45% supports a genuinely approachable, steady session rhythm - a notably gentler experience than the extreme volatility that's come to define much of Hacksaw's more recent output.
The modest 2,048x max win reflects the game's status as an early release from a studio that hadn't yet developed the multi-tiered bonus structures and headline-grabbing ceilings that define its current catalogue, making Stick 'Em a genuinely different kind of experience for Canadian players comparing it against Hacksaw's newer titles.
Playing Stick 'Em in Canada
Stick 'Em is available at many Canadian-facing online casinos carrying Hacksaw Gaming's catalogue. In Ontario, it's accessible through operators regulated under the AGCO's iGaming Ontario framework. Elsewhere in Canada, players typically reach it through provincial lottery corporation platforms where Hacksaw content is licensed, or through operators licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission or another internationally recognized regulator accepting Canadian traffic. Notably, Stick 'Em does not offer a bonus buy option, consistent with its status as an earlier, simpler release.
Bankroll Considerations
With medium volatility and a hit frequency around 23%, Stick 'Em is one of the more approachable, forgiving titles within Hacksaw Gaming's catalogue. A reasonable guideline is budgeting for 200 to 300 spins at your chosen stake, which should provide a representative mix of Sticky Win Spin triggers and a reasonable chance at reaching the standard free spins feature.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Solid, consistent 96.1% RTP without confusing alternate configurations
- Genuinely approachable medium volatility, gentler than much of Hacksaw's later catalogue
- Sticky Win Spin mechanic is simple, satisfying, and a genuine source of big wins
- 1,024 ways to win offers real base-game engagement
- Historically significant as Hacksaw Gaming's debut release
Cons:
- Modest 2,048x max win by current industry standards
- No bonus buy option
- Presentation and feature depth feel notably simpler than Hacksaw's newer titles
- Less headline-grabbing win potential than most other Hacksaw releases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Stick 'Em? 96.1%, a consistent figure without the wide range of alternate configurations found in Hacksaw's later titles.
What is the maximum win on Stick 'Em? 2,048x your total stake, achieved by filling the entire reel set with sticky thumbs-up symbols during the Sticky Win Spin feature.
How does the Sticky Win Spin feature work? Landing three or more thumbs-up symbols locks them in place and awards a respin; any new thumbs-up symbols that land also become sticky, continuing the process until no new symbols appear or the reels fill completely.
Is Stick 'Em available to Canadian players for real money? Yes, through Ontario's regulated iGaming market and through Kahnawake- or internationally licensed operators serving the rest of Canada.
Final Verdict
Stick 'Em holds genuine historical significance as the slot that launched Hacksaw Gaming, and while its 2,048x max win and medium volatility feel modest compared to the studio's later, far more extreme releases, it remains a charming, approachable classic in its own right. For Canadian players curious about where Hacksaw's now-signature design philosophy began, or those who simply want a gentler, more forgiving session than the studio's newer titles typically offer, Stick 'Em remains a worthwhile piece of the studio's history to explore.
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