Before the digital age, slots were operated with rotating reels. The first slots all worked with three reels and the game was started with a lever; this is where the term one-armed bandit comes from, which is common in Europe.
As data connections became faster and home PCs became more powerful, the first game developers developed digital versions of the popular slot machines. Five reels were used for the first time. We have taken a close look at how machines with five reels differ from slots with three reels and what else you should know about the two most popular types of slot.
Differences in Graphics Between 3 Reel Slots Vs 5 Reel Slots
Due to the large number of different slot machines that can be found in an online casino, which you can see in basswin casino review, it is easy to lose track. When users play slot machines in a casino, in most cases they are slots with animated spinning reels. But there are now also many variations that do not have reels. Grid slots in particular are very popular. The game principle remains the same, only the animation is different. However, in our slot comparison we have focused exclusively on 3-reel slots and 5-reel slots to make the differences clear to you.
3-reel Slots Vs 5-reel Slots
Regardless of whether you are playing free games, slots for real money or with free spins on the slot machine, in most cases it will be 5 reel slots or 3 reel slots; that is, slots with five or three reels.
- Slots With Three Reels
Since slots with three reels are the classic version, which were originally found in mechanical form in gaming rooms, the digital versions were also presented with three reels and adopted in this way. To this day, these classic slots are also very popular in online gaming rooms.
You will find a variety of popular 3-reel slots from Games Global, NetEnt, Play’n GO and many other developer studios here. The retro slots in particular are very popular due to their simplicity, as there are often only a few paylines – or even just one payline – and only a few functions. This makes playing uncomplicated, as you practically don’t have to make any settings.
If you are still unsure as to which of the two variants better meets your requirements, the following comparison can certainly help you. We have examined 3-reel slots and 5-reel slots in detail in terms of the graphical differences, the number of paylines, the payout ratio and the setting options and have summarized the most important details for you.
1. Graphic Differences
If you compare 3-reel slots vs 5-reel slots in terms of graphics, 3-reel slots appear much simpler and tidier. There are also often only three visible symbols per reel, so that only a maximum of nine symbols can be seen at the same time.
On a machine with five reels, there are already 15 symbols with just three rows per reel, but usually even more symbols are displayed. Classics such as Wild North by Play’n GO from 2015 work with four rows on 5 reels, so that 20 symbols are visible at any time. But 5-reel slots with 6 or more rows are not uncommon. Accordingly, 25 or more symbols can easily be seen. If they are also animated and elaborately designed, the overall structure often appears a little more untidy or chaotic. However, good slots manage to present a clear and coherent overall picture even with five reels and several rows per reel.
Since most 3-reel slots also have a retro design and are equipped with fewer functions, the graphics also appear simpler and more minimalist. Think in particular of the classic 3-reel slots with fruit symbols, which are very popular. They are characterized by large and simply displayed symbols, usually quite slow animations and a manageable number of setting options and features. Simplicity is a common thread that runs through most 3-reel slots, from the graphics to the soundtrack to the animations and functions.
If you’re looking for slots with a modern vibe, elaborate three-dimensional design, fast-paced gameplay and catchy soundtracks, you’re most likely to find what you’re looking for in five-reel slots. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, but in general, five-reel slots are much more colorful and dynamic.
2. Number of Paylines
The number of winning lines on a slot is a decisive criterion for many when choosing their favorite. The frequency of winnings is usually higher on slots with three reels, but the winnings are lower per win. The reason for this is the number of winning lines. While 3-reel slots often only have one winning line, 5-reel slots usually have 10 or more winning lines.
The larger number of paylines does not necessarily make it easier to hit a winning line, because the 15 or more different fields also mean there are significantly more possible combinations. In reality, it is usually the case that you hit winning lines less often on slots with five reels, but win more when a winning combination occurs.
This means that slots with three reels have a lower volatility. The volatility of a slot expresses the risk that you take with a spin. If the volatility is high, the slot pays out less often, but in higher amounts. If the volatility is low, on the other hand, it pays out more regularly, which accordingly reduces the risk of losing on each individual spin.
3. Payout Percentage (RTP)
The payout ratio (also known as RTP [return to player]) should not be confused with volatility. A slot machine may pay out rarely, but may have the same payout rate as a slot machine that pays out very frequently. This is the case if the slot with low volatility pays out significantly lower winnings on average. The most extreme example would be a slot where you bet 1 euro per spin and only win 96 euros on the 100th spin. The volatility would be very high here and the payout ratio would be 96%. A slot with the lowest possible volatility would pay out 96 cents for every spin you play with 1 euro. Here too, the payout ratio would be 96%.
The latter case in particular would of course not provide any variety or excitement, so no one would play such a slot. In reality, therefore, even slots with low volatility have a variance that still makes the game exciting. If you want to play and enjoy slot machines, you should therefore pay less attention to volatility than to the payout ratio, because it ultimately determines how much of your stake you win back on average over a longer period of time.
Most slots on the internet have a payout ratio of between 93 and 97 percent, although there are of course deviations upwards and downwards. Slots with special features, particularly high jackpots or slots with a risk function often have a lower payout ratio. The most popular slots have a medium volatility and a high payout ratio. In general, in contrast to volatility, there are no significant differences in the payout ratio when comparing 3-reel slots vs 5-reel slots.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that both three-reel and five-reel slots have their appeal. We recommend playing 3-reel slots if you value simplicity and low volatility, but don’t mind the retro feel when playing. If so, you’ll be more likely to find what you’re looking for with three-reel slots.
Ultimately, of course, it is also a matter of taste and mood whether you prefer to play a simple or complex slot machine. Either way, it is worth testing both types of slots and getting an impression of the gameplay and the feel of the game. There is no such thing as a slot that everyone likes – neither as a slot with three reels nor as a slot with five reels.
