3 Reel vs 5 Reel Slots

You are on your way to the casino and you want to play a slot machine. But which one? The casinos we recommend often offer hundreds of slots. You may not know the difference between a 3-reel slot and a 5-reel progressive. Relax. We've got you covered. For now, just know that a 3-reel slot is a simple, old-school machine with limited options and variety. A 5-reel slot is more complex, but it's potentially more rewarding. Master 5-reel slots and you could very well enjoy better rewards for beating their longer odds. Everything changes from 3 reel to 5 reel games due to the number of potential paylines you can hit - and the varying difficulty of hitting each one.

Paylines

3 Reel - In a typical 3 reel slot, you'll only see one payline spread across the three reels, making this game easier to understand and master. Less exciting doesn't have to mean simpler though. You won't necessarily win less, even with this single payline. But when you do win, you'll win in fewer ways.

5 Reels - These machines often offer players multiple payline combinations to choose from. Many of our top machines let you play 1, 5, 10, 20 or more paylines - if you read our reviews, you'll see how many payline options are available on popular slots at the best casinos. Some 5 reel slots also feature a "243 ways to win" setup, where you can create winning combinations that don't really follow a strict payline setup, but involve matching symbols anywhere on the reels. The big thing to know about paylines in 3 reel vs 5 reel play is that the 5 reels are going to offer you more variety and complexity.

Volatility

3 Reel - When someone talks about volatility in relation to slot machines, they are talking about how often a player can expect to win or lose. Every game will have a house edge, but with high volatility, you'll get paid in big chunks, but not as often. With low volatility, you will get paid more often than not, but the amounts per win are much smaller. In general, you're dealing with low volatility in 3 reel slots.

5 Reels - Almost all high volatility slots are 5 reels, but not every 5 reel slot is high volatility. You'll find a pretty wide distribution in how 5 reel slots pay out, but it's safe to say that they tend to be more high volatility than low, especially the ones with progressive jackpots like Mega Moolah and The Dark Knight.

Graphics/Sounds

3 Reel - In keeping with its old school history, 3 Reel machines tend to be simple when it comes to graphics and sounds. There won't be any intense musical interludes or dramatic video cutaways to keep you entertained while you play. Instead, there are plenty of traditional "pings" and "dings" and other such sounds to keep you company. And while the visuals are often quite cheesy, the fruit icons are actually quite delightful.

5 Reels - This is perhaps the most noticeable difference between these types of slot machines. 5 reel machines can get pretty wild with their graphics and sounds. Many 5 reel slots are derived from pop culture (superhero movies have a huge presence) and these games may feature a clip from the movie or show behind the design. You'll get some dialogue, some intense music, and in the truly over-the-top offerings, a ton of near misses and clips that have to be seen to be believed. Again, 5 reel slots give players the chance to experience volatility and win big. If they want, players can also enjoy a soundtrack and near-miss action that's guaranteed to give them goose bumps.

Jackpot opportunities

3 Reel - While most 3 reel slots have some sort of jackpot, it's usually not a life-changing amount. You can occasionally get a 3 reel that pays out a decent amount, but mostly 3 reel jackpots keep their potential to a minimum. When it comes to 3 reel slots, you're not just playing for any old amount. While you can certainly bet a dollar and have a chance of getting a few thousand dollars back, these machines are fun little things to play around with. You're mostly in it for the humor. That said, some of the best humor around 3 reel slots actually lies with their jackpots.

5 Reels - Life-changing payouts are most likely to be found in the 5 reel slots. In particular, there's a massive payout to be found among the progressive jackpot family of slots. The most notable of these is Mega Moolah, the #1 slot at Royal Vegas Casino, but most software providers offer a number of them. Progressive jackpots build up over time, getting bigger and bigger as more and more players pour money into the game. And unless one lucky player spins the right combination to win the jackpot, the total keeps growing from an initial amount that often exceeds $1 million. So this is your best chance at a life-changing payday, swinging for the fences among 5-reel progressive jackpot slots.

Gameplay

3 Reels - As we've said before, simplicity is the name of the game with 3 reel slots. Choose a coin size and then spin the reels. Repeat until you can't spin them any more. Not a lot of variety, folks.

5 Reels - In terms of strategy and entertainment, these machines offer much more options. You can choose how many paylines to activate and then there are usually all sorts of different game types hidden within the slot. Many machines will display "scatter symbols" which, if you come across them, can be used to trigger free spin bonus rounds. This is where you can spin the reels for free and take home any winnings that you secure. Some games also feature other mini bonus games that are tied into a larger overarching plot, creating a more video game-like quality alongside the simple act of playing slots.

So which game is for you?

Ultimately, it's your choice which type of game you want to play, and you shouldn't feel pressured to choose one or the other. Still, I can't help but see 3-reelers as a safer bet for beginners who may not have a firm grasp on the nuts and bolts of how slots work. A 3-reel slot will be much simpler and easier to learn on. After you've taken some baby steps there, try moving up to a 5-reel machine and see if you can keep up with all the added action. In general, I think veteran players tend to prefer all the chaos. They also seem to like the bigger jackpots.