What Are Slot Reels & Types of Slots

Online slots come in all shapes and sizes. This type of casino game has come a long way since the end of the 19th century when it was invented. Today, Indian players are spoilt for choice as they can pick from titles offering different structures, mechanics and bonus features. In this article, we will discuss slot reels and types of slots you can choose from based on them.

Slot Reels Explained

In slot games, reels are vertical infinite lines or columns covered by symbols. On the playing field, only a part of these columns will be visible, typically featuring 3 to 5 positions. These positions create rows. Typically, slot games use 3 or more reels, and the number of reels is one of the main slot features. Reels spin vertically and stop at random positions to show symbols that have to match to get paid. At some games, you can stop the reels manually, but it does not mean that you will affect the placement of symbols. It is determined by the Random Number Generator.

Another important feature in slot machines are paylines you need to land matching symbols on to win a prize. While some games use different mechanics, most slot titles still use paylines. In most cases, payouts are determined by a number of matching symbols landed left to right, meaning that your winning combination must begin from the leftmost reel.

Types of Multi-Reel Slots

When we talk about slots, we talk about multi-reel slots. They feature 3 or more reels and fall into two main categories based on the number of reels they use. Slots with 3 reels are classic slots while those featuring 5 or more reels are called video slots.

Classic slots offer straightforward gameplay and they are designed to look like old-school one-armed bandits, with no bells and whistles. In most cases, they are simple fruit machines, featuring traditional slot icons like fruits, stars, bell, bars and more. Yet, modern 3-reelers use other themes, too. Lately, software developers have come up with classic slots with innovative bonus features that grant an engaging and potentially lucrative playing experience.

Most online slots are played at 5 reels and we call them video slots. While classic slots come with 1, 3 or 5 paylines, video slots offer 10, 20 or more paying lines. Some of them use different mechanics like All Ways Pay or Cluster Pays, meaning that you don’t have to follow paylines to get paid. Also, video slots come packed with bonus features and rounds enhancing the player experience. Some 5-reel slots also offer progressive jackpots that can turn you into a millionaire. Video slots use a great variety of themes, so you can choose them according to your preferences and aesthetic.

Non-orthodox Slot Layouts

Lately, more and more developers experiment with structures trying to offer a fresh take on popular slot games. So, you can stumble upon slots that use grids instead of a standard 3×3 or 5×3 layout. While some say these are slots without reels, these games keep reels that come in sets of 6, 7, 8 or more. Just like in traditional slot games, reels will spin in them, but you can hit wins by creating clusters of matching icons, for instance.

Some suppliers offer slot games with non-orthodox layouts like those in hexagonal shapes or ones resembling a honeycomb or other forms. There are also Megaways slots where a number of symbols per reel vary from spin to spin thus providing players with a different number of ways to win.

How to Choose Slots Based on Number of Reels?

It all comes down to your preferences. Yet, you should bear in mind that more reels mean more complex gameplay with more exciting bonus features. While you can still play 5-reel slots with straightforward gameplay, they will definitely offer more extras than 3-reelers. Explore Indian Casino Club and study slot reviews to find games that best fit your needs.