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5 Reel Slots
The 5-reel slot was the next step in the evolution of video slot gaming online, taking a step up from the original 3-reel variants. Today, you will find the majority of land-based and online slot games use the 5-reel setup.
How to Play 5 Reel Slots
As with most casino games online, there is no one-size-fits-all. The game design changes depending on the software provider’s next big release. In the case of five reel slots, you will find that there are several reel mechanics variations, which we’ll describe below. The idea is to give you a variety of ways to play one of the most commonly played slots online.
5 Reel Slots with Paylines
There are generally three types of 5 reel slots online that use paylines. Standard, pay both ways and the classic 5 reel slots collection.
Standard
To land symbols combination wins in a standard 5-reel slot, symbols must line up on a payline from left to right. The first symbol must show on reel 1 and run through a payline with the following symbols on consecutive adjacent reels.
- 2-Symbol Combination Win: The same symbol on reels 1-2
- 3-Symbol Combination Win: The same symbol on reels 1-2-3
- 4-Symbol Combination Win: The same symbol on reels 1-2-3-4
- 5-Symbol Combination Win: The same symbol on reels 1-2-3-4-5
Popular Standard Payline Slots with 5 reels:
- Book of Gold by Tada Gaming (10 Paylines)
- Chaos Crew by Hacksaw Gaming (15 Paylines)
- Energoonz by Play’n GO (30 Paylines)
Pay Both Ways
On pay both ways 5 reel slots, you can line up symbols from left to right as per the above ‘standard’ combination wins. However, there is a twist, as you can also line up symbols from right to left, giving you paylines that run both ways.
- 2-Symbol Combination Win: Symbols line up on reels 5-4
- 3-Symbol Combination Win: Symbols line up on reels 5-4-3
- 4-Symbol Combination Win: Symbols line up on reels 5-4-3-2
- 5-Symbol Combination Win: Symbols line up on reels 5-4-3-2-1
Popular Pay Both Ways Payline Slots with 5 reels:
- Miss Cherry Fruits by BGaming (20 Paylines)
- Gladiator by Betsoft (30 Paylines)
- Kensei Blades by Betsoft (720 Ways to Win)
Classic 5 Reel Slots
Classic 5 reel slots can use either standard or pay-both-ways reel mechanics. The reason most crypto slot players use the term ‘classic’ is because these games use the famous fruits, 7s, bells, and bars symbols.
Popular Classic Payline Slots with 5 reels:
- Classic Coins by Booming Games (10 Paylines)
- Juicy Fruits by Pragmatic Play (50 Paylines)
- Legendary Diamonds by Booming Games (20 Paylines)
5 Reel Slots with No Paylines (Ways to Win)
The evolution of online slots went from 3 reels to 5 reels with paylines, and the next step was to develop reel mechanics with no need for paylines. You will often see them referred to as ‘Ways to Win’ or ‘No Payline’ slots that use the adjacent reel mechanic.
How to Do No Payline Slots Work
With payline slots, symbols need to run through a payline. However, with Ways to Win slots, as there are no paylines, symbols can be on any position on their respective reels just as long as the combination begins on reel 1 and runs from left to right on consecutive adjacent reels. The same rule applies and vice versa if the Ways to Win mechanic uses the Pay Both Ways feature.
- 3 Symbol Combination: Symbols land anywhere on adjacent reels across reel numbers 1-2-3.
- 4 Symbol Combination: The same rules apply with symbols landing on reels 1-2-3-4.
- 5 Symbols Combination: Symbols must show on reels 1-2-3-4-5
Popular No Payline Slots with 5 reels:
- Dogs and Tails by Gamzix (243 Ways to Win)
- Return to the Feature by Habanero (243 Ways to Win)
- Greek Gods by Pragmatic Play (243 Ways to Win)
Pay Anywhere 5 Reel Slots
If you understand how scatter symbols work, then you will get to grips with pay-anywhere slots in seconds. Symbols can land anywhere in view on the reels, and as long as the minimum number required to trigger a combination shows on the reels, you win.
Popular Pay Anywhere Slots with 5 reels:
- Bison Charge by Pragmatic Play (5x5 Grid)
- Temple of Prosperity by Play’n GO (5x5 Grid)
- Gemza by BGaming (5x5 Grid)
Cluster Pays 5 Reel Slots
Cluster Pays slots can come with a diverse range of reels. 5, 6, 7, or 8 reels. However, you will still find a large number of slots using this reel mechanic with 5 reels.
As for the rules used by clusters pay slots to form winning clusters on a 5 reel slot, it comes down to shapes. Clusters of symbols land into L-shaped, square, rectangular, horizontal line, and vertical line clusters.
Popular Cluster Pays Slots with 5 reels:
- Moon Princess 100 by Play’n GO
- Rise of Olympus by Play’n GO
- Lava Gold by Betsoft
Play Free 5-Reel Slots Online
You can play 5 reel slots real money or crypto games on your mobile or desktop without having to download them. In today’s modern iGaming arena, these slots are accessible using an instant play web browser casino interface.
You can also find five reel slots with specific features:
- Cascading Reels
- Sticky Wilds
- Multiplier Slots
- Bonus Buy
- Drops & Wins
Take yourself on a test run and check out the 5-reel slots recommended in this guide at mBitcasino. You have the option to play for free using demo mode or deposit and play using popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Tether, and more!