Cats is a 5x3, 30-payline video slot from IGT, running on a medium-volatility Split Symbols mechanic that lets single reel positions count as two matching cats. Free spins trigger from paw-print scatters landing on reels 2 to 4, and the top payout is cited at around 10,000x stake.
- RTP is commonly listed at 94.93%, with some operators using configurations down to 93.04%
- No bonus buy is available for this title
- Demo play and mobile access are both supported at most casinos carrying the game
- Volatility medium
- Max win 10000x
- Reels 5
- Lines 30 paylines
- Bonus buy No
Cats game specs
- ProviderIGT
- Reels5
- Paylines30 paylines
- Volatilitymedium
- Max win10000x
- Bet range1 – 50
- Released2013
Strengths and drawbacks
| Plus points | Minus points |
|---|---|
| Split Symbols let a single line pay out for six to ten matching cats instead of the usual three to five | No bonus buy option, so the free spins can only be reached through natural play |
| Clear, easy-to-read structure: fixed 30 lines, one wild, one scatter, one bonus round | Only one bonus feature and no multipliers, which can feel repetitive over long sessions |
| Playable across desktop and mobile through regulated Canadian operators | Medium volatility keeps swings moderate, so the game rarely delivers the drama of higher-variance titles |
| Free spins bonus is straightforward to understand and doesn't require learning extra rules mid-round |
Key terms used on this page
IGT's mechanic where a single reel position can display two matching cat icons instead of one, letting a five-position payline count as up to ten matching symbols.
A paw-print symbol appearing only on reels 2 to 4; landing enough of them, in single or split form, triggers the free spins bonus regardless of payline position.
The game's wild symbol, which substitutes for regular cat and card symbols to help complete winning lines.
How often a spin returns any win at all; Cats is reported around 30 to 32%, meaning roughly three in ten spins land a payout.
How the reels and paylines work
Cats runs on a standard 5x3 grid with 30 paylines, evaluated left to right in the usual way. There are no cascades, cluster pays or ways mechanics here — wins form on fixed line patterns, the same as most classic IGT titles. What sets the base game apart is that every cat symbol and every paw-print scatter can land as a single icon or as a split pair occupying one reel position. That single change is why a modest-looking line of five positions can register as an eight- or ten-of-a-kind win once split symbols are counted, and it's the main reason the game still gets attention more than a decade after release.
Release history
- 2013 — Cats launches online, bringing IGT's land-based Split Symbols cabinet game to internet and mobile casinos.
Playing Cats: what to expect at the table
Sit down with Cats and the first thing that stands out is how uncomplicated it is. Five reels, three rows, thirty lines, a handful of big cat symbols topped by a wild logo, and paw prints doing scatter duty on the middle three reels. There's no cascading reel, no cluster grid, no multiplier ladder to track. That simplicity is deliberate — this is a game built for players who want to understand the screen in front of them within a spin or two.
The split symbol mechanic is what keeps sessions interesting despite that simplicity. Watching a double-panther land in the same position as a double-lion further along the line, and realizing the game just counted eight or nine cats instead of five, is the moment the slot earns its reputation. It also changes how you read near-misses: a line that looks thin at first glance can still turn into a solid payout once the split count is tallied.
Free spins arrive by way of paw-print scatters, and only on reels 2 through 4. Five paw prints (in any mix of single and split form) award five free spins; six award ten. During the round, nothing about the bet or line count changes — it's the same configuration you were playing when the trigger landed, just running without further wagers. Reviewers note that split scatters and split wilds inside free spins are where the bigger combinations tend to surface.
On volatility, Cats sits in the middle of the pack. It won't produce the long dry spells of a high-variance blockbuster, nor will it pay out constantly. Hit frequency figures floating around 30 to 32% line up with that impression: wins land often enough to keep a session moving, without the game becoming predictable.
Where the game shows its age is in feature depth. There's one bonus round, no multiplier mechanic, and no bonus buy to skip ahead to it. Players coming from newer releases sometimes find that limiting, while others appreciate that there's nothing extra to learn once the split mechanic clicks. Either way, Cats plays like what it is: a well-worn cabinet game adapted for screens, not a title chasing current online slot trends.
Questions players ask about Cats
How does a split cat symbol actually count toward a win?
Each split symbol occupies one reel position but represents two matching cats. A payline with three split positions and two single positions of the same cat totals eight matching symbols, and the paytable pays for that count even though only five reel positions are involved.
Do I need paw prints on all five reels to trigger free spins?
No. Paw-print scatters only appear on reels 2, 3 and 4. Landing a combined total of five paw prints (counting split pairs) across those three reels awards five free spins; six paw prints award ten.
Does landing four paw prints do anything if it doesn't trigger the bonus?
One detailed review notes that four paw prints on the grid can pay a scatter prize worth twice the total bet, even without reaching the five needed for free spins.
Why do some casinos list a different RTP for Cats?
IGT appears to allow more than one RTP configuration for this title. Most operators run 94.93%, but a documented range down to 93.04% exists, so the exact figure can depend on which casino you're playing at.
Can free spins be retriggered once they start?
Documentation on this point is inconsistent. Some reviews describe the paw-print trigger without addressing what happens if the same scatter count reappears during the free spins round, so retrigger rules aren't firmly confirmed across sources.
Try Cats today
Cats is available in demo form at several review portals and for real-money play through provincially regulated Canadian casinos offering IGT content. Gambling is restricted to 19+ in most provinces (18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec).
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