Rocket, A New Game Exclusive To DraftKings Casino NJ, Is Ready For Takeoff
In Sept. 2021, DraftKings launched a new game called “Rocket.” It is the 37th game that DraftKings has developed entirely in-house exclusively for its own use.
At this time, only NJ DraftKings Casino players can play Rocket. However, pending regulatory approval, DraftKings Casino players in Pennsylvania and Michigan will also have access.
Jason March, DraftKings Vice President of iGaming, expressed his enthusiasm for the new product as follows:
“By developing DraftKings Rocket, our team continues to innovate our Casino offerings as we set out to create an all-new, one-of-a-kind iGaming experience for customers. We’re thrilled to be providing an exclusive iGaming experience to DraftKings customers. At DraftKings, a customer-first approach is essential to our products, and the addition of DraftKings Rocket is sure to provide a new and exciting way for customers to wager with peer-to-peer interaction.”
How the DraftKings Rocket game works
Rocket is an innovative new game that DraftKings is introducing exclusively for its NJ online and mobile players. In this article, I will do my best to describe the basics. However, the only way to fully appreciate how the highly interactive nature of this game works is to try it yourself for real money. I promise you that every trip you take on the virtual rocket (and like Lay’s potato chips, no one can stop with just one) will be an unforgettable wild ride and different from anything you have ever experienced before.
Within seconds of placing your bet, you and other DraftKings players who will be accompanying you for the ride will start your virtual takeoff. As the virtual rocket climbs, so does the game multiplier. Therefore, the higher your rocket rises while you are still aboard before it comes to a screeching halt and explodes, the more you can win. But here’s the catch. Timing is crucial.
In order to win your bet, one of two things must happen:
- The multiplier you automatically set prior to the game as the point where you will “bailout” is reached while the rocket is still in flight, or
- You “bail” on the rocket while it is still in flight to lock in the multiplier at that point.
Bet range and win multiplier options
The minimum bet is $1, and the maximum is $1,000. You also have the option to set your own auto-cashback multiplier. While the default setting is 1,000x your bet, which is the maximum payment possible, you have the option instead to play much more conservatively.
When you’re ready to start a new game, you can check the numerical setting to the right of the screen and adjust the multiplier to where you want it. The starting number is 1, but while the rocket rises, the multiplier will steadily rise as well according to a preset logarithm. Assuming that the following time intervals elapse before the rocket explodes, the multiplier will go to 1.1 in about a second, 2.0 in about 12 seconds, and 5.0 in about 30 seconds. Then it will continue to get higher thereafter for as long as it can.
Keep in mind that the amount you stand to win in each game is your bet x your designated multiplier. Therefore, the higher the multiplier is able to go, the better the outcome. However, here’s the catch. If the rocket explodes before the multiplier has a chance to reach the level you have locked in, you don’t win a lesser amount. You lose your entire bet!
How much can you win playing Rocket?
The return to player (RTP) for this game is 97 percent. That is substantially better than most slot games, but even so, you need to be careful, limit your bets to what you can comfortably afford, and manage your money wisely. This is especially important with a fast-paced, highly volatile game like Rocket. Yes, the potential to win big exists, but it’s a longshot, and if you’re not careful, rockets won’t be the only things disappearing into thin air–your bankroll could be, too!
Theoretically, Rocket could make some players millionaires. Players who bet the maximum of $1,000 and play with a multiplier of 1,000 will win $1 million if—and it’s a big if–the rocket successfully reaches that level without crashing. It’s possible but highly unlikely.
At the opposite extreme, you could bet as little as $1 and play with a very low multiplier (i.e., 2 or less) to virtually assure yourself of a tiny win. But after a while, the game will become boring, and you’ll feel like you’re wasting your time.
So, as eager as you might be to start playing this thrilling game for real money immediately, here’s what I suggest instead. I strongly recommend watching a few rounds of other people playing before you start participating to get a better feel for the flow of the game.
It may take some experimenting to find the right combination of bet size and bail-out multiplier for your personal taste and bankroll. Once you do, then you might want to utilize another optional feature that this game offers to automatically preset both the bet and multiplier for up to 50 consecutive games.
That way you can simply watch the exciting drama unfold in launch after launch without the added pressure of having to make any impulsive, gut-wrenching split-second decisions.
Special features
I have already mentioned two of this game’s special features:
- The option to set the machine to automatically play up to 50 consecutive games.
- The ability to bail out and lock in a certain win multiplier, either automatically before the game starts or manually, while the rocket is in flight.
These two options not only enhance the adrenaline rush but give players a much greater sense of control than is possible in most slot games. Here are some other exciting extras that help to make Rocket the highly entertaining experience it is:
- You can customize the appearance of your rocket to your taste.
- Each virtual rocket launch takes place in real-time. Therefore, while you can’t join a game that is already in progress, you never have to wait more than six seconds to start playing.
- A special chat feature lets you talk to other players, similar to what you’ll find in live dealer games.
- While the rocket is in flight, you can observe the point when other players bailout, which could help you with your own game.
- Even if all of the players aboard the rocket bail out early, the rocket will continue to fly without passengers until it crashes. This will show you how you could have won more by staying aboard longer.
Additional thoughts: Rocket pros and cons
Rocket is not recommended for penny players since the smallest bet is $1. However, with an extremely wide betting range starting at $1 and going all the way up to $1,000, it will appeal to a very wide audience of players.
Regardless of what stakes you play for, the challenge to try to set a high enough multiplier to lock in a decent size win before the rocket explodes and leaves you walking away empty-handed has to intrigue you. Rocket is the type of game that will get your adrenalin pumping from the get-go to the finish. It is a very fast-paced game with never a dull moment.
Some reviewers worry that Rocket could be addictive and that the way it lends itself to being played over and over again could trigger a gambling problem or exacerbate it in those who already have one. I tend to agree. I would have also liked to see the option to play this game in demo mode rather than just for real money.
As with any other casino game, it is important to play responsibly, limit one’s bet size to what one can comfortably afford, and avoid marathon sessions. If the nature of this particular game makes it too tempting to stray from these guidelines, you should probably not play it.
Another problem I have is with the DraftKings video emphasizing the prospect of winning $1 million. The only way you even have a chance to win $1 million is to make $1,000 bets with a $1,000x multiplier, Obviously, this is way outside the overwhelming majority of players’ budgets. Also, it could take many $1,000 bets that come up empty before the player finally succeeds, if ever.
The final verdict: Is Rocket worth your time?
Without minimizing the importance of any of the foregoing reservations, there is no denying that Rocket is a very well-executed game with a lot going for it. Besides being highly entertaining, it includes multiple great innovative features that will keep you coming back for more.
So, if you’re a NJ DraftKings player who’s hankering to try a wildly exciting new game with a high RTP and high variance that’s strikingly different from anything you’ve played before, Rocket could have your name written on it. Climb aboard and see how high it can take you.