5-Reel Slots | Are They Worth Playing?

Have you ever wondered what it is about 5-reel slots that neither players nor gaming operators can stop playing and developing? In this article, we'll take it a step further and show you everything you need to know about these modern video slots. From how to play them, how to win, and where to find them, don't leave your chair until you read everything thoroughly in online casinos.

Descended from the classic fruit machines, 5-reel slots offer a sophisticated combination of bonus features. They also come with a wide range of appealing themes, soundtracks, state-of-the-art graphics, and much more. Let's dig a little deeper and see if we can answer all your questions about 5-reel slots.

Generous 5-Reel Slots Bonuses

Modern 5-reel slots are an improved version of 3-reel slots. The difference lies in the addition of extra features that make them more entertaining and lucrative.

These add-ons usually range from free spin rounds, reel avalanche, win collection, multipliers, and multi-level bonus games. In this way, the slots are very dynamic and fun. In addition to the traditional pay symbols, special symbols appear in both the primary and bonus rounds. This usually happens on a different set of reels.

Does it Take 5 Matching Symbols to Get a Payout?

Fortunately for lovers of 5-reel slots, finding five identical symbols for a win is not always necessary. In most cases, you only need three or more consecutive symbols to land on an active payline. But of course, the more matching symbols you land in a single spin, the bigger the wins. You will get the biggest payout if you land five symbols of the same type.

The above operation works for slots with flexible or fixed paylines. However, there are also slots with multiple lines configured with 243 ways to win. A perfect example is NetEnt's Vikings. Here, a win becomes a reality when matching symbols appear on both sides of adjacent reels, from far left to far right. But the various ways to win with a spin don't end here. These can reach an impressive 117,649 winning ways and usually involve a more significant number of reels or a unique design.

Is it Worth Playing 5-Reel Slots?

The most significant difference between 3-reel and 5-reel slots is that the latter, in addition to the number of reels, come with immersive bonus features and several different themes. These are based on the most famous movies, TV shows, sports, horror stories, and music bands – not to mention the visual effects! The 5-reel slots offer stunning backgrounds and very creative symbols.

How to Play 5-Reel Slots

The vast selection of bonus features can be intimidating, especially if you've never played modern video slots before. Wild symbols only work in one direction during the base game and become sticky during the bonus rounds. Then there are the reel avalanches and the 243 ways to win. Also, these features are triggered quickly, and it can be challenging to understand what is happening on the reels.

The next time you play a 5-reel slot filled with bonus features, be sure to read the paytable to understand better how it works. Each game has a paytable, and you can usually find it by clicking on the information icon represented by an “i.” Once you enter this area, the paytable will be displayed, and you'll see each symbol with its respective coin value. You'll also learn about the unique features and how to activate them.