Reels In Slot Games?

Every slot game has reels. Some of those games might have different ways to produce prizes, such as the cluster pays slot games from NetEnt. These require groups of matching symbols to appear, rather than getting a line-up on consecutive reels.

However, is there an upper limit to the reel set you could play on? We decided to check out the options.

Three-reel options

Three-reel slots are the origins of the slot game. You cannot have fewer than three reels, otherwise you don't get the depth you want in a game. This number of reels gives you a nice single-payline slot. You might also see other payline quantities in some games - three or five lines, for example. These games are ideal for those on smaller budgets who don't want to bet on lots of lines.

Warrior Conquest Slots

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Type

video, bonus, 3-reel

Paylines

Symbols

Red Warrior, Green Warrior, Blue Warrior, Purple Warrior, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades, Dragon Eye, Bonus

Bonus round

Multi-Reels Feature, Free Games Feature

Software

Real Time Gaming

Santa's Reel Wheel Slots

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Type

video, bonus, 3-reel

Paylines

Pays Any

Symbols

Gift, Diamond, Firecrackers, Bell, Mistletoe

Bonus round

Fireworks Feature, Free Games Feature

Software

Real Time Gaming

Neon Wheel 7s Slots

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Type

3-reel, bonus, video

Paylines

Symbols

Blue Seven, Bonus Wheel, Double BAR, Green Seven, Purple Seven, Single BAR, Triple BAR, Wild

Bonus round

Bonus Wheel Feature

Max Bet

$25

Software

Real Time Gaming

Chunky Monkey Slots

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Type

3-reel, bonus, video

Paylines

Symbols

Bananas, Sevens

Bonus round

Free Games Win Multiplier Feature, Transferring Symbols Feature

Software

Real Time Gaming

Hyper Wins Slots

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Type

bonus, video, 3-reel

Paylines

All pay

Symbols

K, Green Gem, Red Gem, Purple Gem, Orange Gem, Q, J, A, Moon, Star

Bonus round

Free Games Feature, Lucky Feature, Hyperwin Bonus, Hyper Prize Feature

Max Bet

Software

Real Time Gaming

Five-reel options

This must surely be the most popular (or at least the most common) number of reels around today. Lots of slot games are released each month that feature five reels. It's enough to provide lots of options and bonus features if the developer wants to include them. Paylines and ways to win can be fitted into these five reels. It's the ideal scenario in many ways.

Sweet Shop Collect Slots

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Type

5-reel, bonus, video

Paylines

Symbols

Sweet Shop Collect Logo, Candies

Bonus round

Candy Collect Feature

Software

Real Time Gaming

Masks of Atlantis Slots

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Type

5-reel, bonus, video

Paylines

Bonus round

Cascading Wins Feature, Free Games Feature

Software

Real Time Gaming

Pharaoh Mysteries Slots

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Type

5-reel, video, bonus

Paylines

Symbols

Bastet, Pharaoh, Pharaoh Coin, Book of Dead, Scarab, Crook and Flail, Eye of Ra, A, K, Q, J, 10, Ankh, Nefertiti, Sphinx, Falcon

Bonus round

Hold and Spin Feature, Free Games Feature

Max Bet

$10

Software

Real Time Gaming

Bonus Wheel Jungle Slots

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Type

5-reel, bonus, video

Paylines

Symbols

Drum, Jungle Jack, Jane, Monkey, Elephant, Banana, Toucan, Snake, Tree house, Carriers, Fruits

Bonus round

Bonus Wheel Feature, Nudge Feature, Mystery Symbol Feature, Jungle Bonus Feature

Max Bet

$7.5

Software

Real Time Gaming

Mighty Drums Slots

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Type

5-reel, bonus, progressive, video

Paylines

All pay

Symbols

Drum, Coins, Ornament, Golden Dragon, Golden Fish, Golden Frog, Ship, Golden Ship, Ingot, A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, Dragon, Koi Fish, Frog

Bonus round

Free Games Feature, Jackpot Pick Feature

Max Bet

$8.8

Software

Real Time Gaming

Six or more reels - too many or not enough?

There comes a point when adding more reels to a game makes it more complex than it needs to be. Cluster pays games can get away with more reels because they pay in a different way. Mind you, those games tend to use a grid - maybe 7x7 or 8x8 for example - rather than using proper reels.

We've played a few six-reel games that have worked well. Some have had a separate sixth reel that behaves in a different way to the rest. Others use six standard reels, with a chance to win more if you get up to six identical symbols on a line. That is one advantage of more reels.

We've only ever discovered a couple seven-reel slots, and they have left something to be desired. They didn't feature bonus elements, so they were largely disappointing. They were older games too. Perhaps the game developers tried them and decided they were too big?