Zane | March 23, 2023 | Updated on: July 24th, 2024
Wondering how many reels a typical pokie has? Most have five, but if you see one with three reels, it’s a classic pokie. This characteristic sets them apart.
While 3-reel slot games are less common today than 5-reel ones, you can still find many at online casinos. They vary in design, payouts, and paylines. The most common setup is a 3×3 grid, with three lines and three rows.
Casinos with 3 Reel Pokies
Top 3-Reel Pokies Reviewed
Check out our reviews of the best 3-reel pokies for a classic gaming experience. Learn about each game’s features, payouts, and why players love them in online casinos. Whether you like traditional fruit symbols or modern themes, these reviews will help you find the perfect pokie for your mobile gaming pleasure.
Golden Tiger
Golden Tiger by iSoftBet is an Asian-themed classic pokie with 3 reels and 5 paylines. It features a jackpot, bonus round, and multiplier boost. The bonus round gives you a chance to win up to 1,000 times your stake. It’s perfect for those who enjoy traditional games.
RTP: 95.95%
Release Date: 2019
Reels: 3
Lines: 5
Volatility: Medium
Min. Bet: 0.1
Max. Bet: 10
Max. Win: 10,000x
Software: iSoftBet
3 Hit Pay
3 Hit Pay by iSoftBet is a retro-style pokie with an RTP of just over 95%. It doesn’t have multipliers, wilds, scatters, free spins, or gamble features, but it offers a nostalgic experience with sevens, cherries, and bar symbols.
RTP: 95.4%
Release Date: 2018
Reels: 3
Lines: 3
Volatility: Medium
Min. Bet: 0.09
Max. Bet: 9
Max. Win: 10,800x
Software: iSoftBet
Burning Stars Xmas Edition
Burning Stars Xmas Edition by Wazdan mixes classic fruit symbols with modern features. It includes an autoplay option for 10 to 1,000 games and offers the chance to win one of four jackpots.
– RTP: 96.12%
– Release Date: 2021
– Reels: 3
– Lines: 3
– Volatility: Medium
– Min. Bet: 0.1
– Max. Bet: 10,000
– Max. Win: 2,187x
– Software: Wazdan
Absolute Ripper Reels
Absolute Ripper Reels by iSoftBet includes multipliers, free spins, and a 3×3 grid. It suits both small and large budgets with medium volatility and a maximum win of 400x.
RTP: 96%
Release Date: 2021
Reels: 3
Lines: 3
Volatility: Medium
Min. Bet: 0.75
Max. Bet: 75
Max. Win: 400x
Software: iSoftBet
Gift Rush
Gift Rush by BGAMING is a festive 3-reel pokie with 5 paylines and cheerful visuals. It offers a maximum win of 499x and has medium volatility.
RTP: 96%
Release Date: 2022
Reels: 3
Lines: 5
Volatility: Medium
Min. Bet: 0.1
Max. Bet: 300
Max. Win: 499x
Software: BGaming
How to Win Real Money at 3-Reel Online Pokies
Looking to win real money playing 3-reel online pokies? Here’s how you can maximize your chances and enjoy these classic games.
Check the RTP
RTP (Return to Player) is a key factor in pokies. The number of reels doesn’t affect RTP; it varies by game. Always check the RTP before you play. Look for 3-reel pokies with an RTP of over 97% for the best chances.
Understand Volatility
Volatility tells you how often and how much you might win. High volatility means big but rare wins, while low volatility means smaller, more frequent wins. Don’t assume 3-reel pokies are always low volatility; many offer high volatility with significant payouts.
Play for Free First
Try 3-reel pokies for free to understand the game without risking money. Free play helps you learn the mechanics and test strategies. The outcomes in free and real money play are the same, thanks to Random Number Generators.
Use Casino Bonuses
Take advantage of welcome bonuses that match your deposit, effectively doubling your budget. More money to play means more chances to win.
Learn the Paytable
Each pokie has a paytable showing winning combinations and payouts. Study this to know which symbols are most valuable. Some features may require higher bets, so understanding the paytable helps in planning your bets.
Stick to Your Budget
Set a budget before you start playing and stick to it. Only bet what you can afford to lose. This helps manage your finances and ensures you can keep playing responsibly.
Focus on Smaller Jackpots
Big jackpots are tempting but harder to win. Focus on smaller jackpots that pay out more frequently. Smaller wins can add up over time, making them a safer bet than chasing large, elusive jackpots.
Advantages of 3-Reel Pokies
Why do players love three-reel slots so much?
Here are some key reasons for their popularity:
Great for New Players
3-reel slots are perfect for beginners. Their simplicity makes them easy to understand without the overwhelming special features and bonuses found in modern games. You can quickly grasp the paytable and rules, allowing you to start playing and enjoying the game without confusion. Plus, the lack of complex features doesn’t affect your chances of winning; it simply makes the game more straightforward.
Budget-Friendly
3-reel pokies help your budget last longer. Unlike many 5-reel slots that require higher bets to activate numerous bonus features, 3-reel slots are more straightforward. With fewer paylines and simpler gameplay, your money stretches further, giving you more playtime and enjoyment.
Sentimental Value
Many players have a nostalgic attachment to 3-reel slots. They remind them of classic casino experiences, free from the flashy animations and complex storylines of modern 3D pokies. This simpler, more traditional gameplay allows players to focus on the basics and enjoy a more straightforward gaming experience.
Why Players Prefer 3-Reel Slots:
- Simplicity: Easy to understand and play, ideal for beginners.
- Budget-Friendly: Lower bets and longer playtime.
- Nostalgia: Classic feel without the distractions of modern features.
Types of 3 Reel Pokies
Three-reel slots are a classic type of slot machine that features three reels with various symbols on them. There are several types of three-reel slots, including:
Classic 3 Reel Pokies
These are traditional slot machines that feature simple symbols such as fruits, bars, and sevens. Classic slots typically have fewer paylines and bonus features than modern slots.
Progressive 3 Reel Slots
These are three-reel slots that offer a progressive jackpot, which means that the jackpot increases each time the game is played until someone wins it.
Adjustable Payline 3 Reel Slots
These are three-reel slots that offer multiple paylines, giving players more chances to win. Multi-line slots can have up to nine paylines.
Bonus Slots
These are three-reel slots that offer bonus features, such as free spins or mini-games, which can increase the player’s winnings.
Mega Spin Slots
These are three-reel slots that allow players to play multiple games at once, increasing their chances of winning.
Fruit Machines
These are three-reel slots that originated in the UK and feature fruit symbols on the reels. Fruit machines often have bonus features and a hold and nudge feature that allows players to hold or nudge the reels to try and create a winning combination.
3 Reel Pokies FAQs
Some players prefer the simplicity and classic feel of 3-reel slots, while others enjoy the more complex gameplay and features of modern video slots with multiple reels. It’s important to note that the odds of winning can differ between different types of slot machines, so it’s always a good idea to do your research and choose a game with a payout percentage that suits you.
Three-reel slot machines are the classic, traditional type of slot machine that were popularized in the early days of casinos. They have three spinning reels with various symbols printed on them, and the goal is to line up matching symbols across the payline to win a payout. Unlike more modern video slots, three-reel slots usually don’t have many bonus features or special symbols, which makes them simpler to play.
To play a 3-reel slot machine, you first need to choose your bet size and the number of paylines you want to activate (if the game allows it). Then, you spin the reels and wait for them to come to a stop. If the symbols on the reels match up across the payline, you’ll win a payout based on the game’s paytable. Some 3-reel slots have additional bonus features such as wild symbols, multipliers, or free spins.
The number of possible combinations on a three-reel slot machine depends on the number of symbols on each reel. For example, if there are 20 symbols on each reel, the total number of combinations is 20 x 20 x 20 = 8,000. However, some symbols may appear more than once on a reel, or some reels may have fewer symbols than others, which affects the total number of combinations. In general, three-reel slot machines have fewer possible combinations than five-reel machines, making them easier to win but also less exciting to play for some.
The symbol 777 on slot machines is rooted in the history of gambling. To make the games more appealing, symbols associated with luck, such as the number 7, horseshoes, and four-leaf clovers were added to slot machines. The number 7 is considered lucky in many cultures, and it also had a high value in card games such as blackjack and poker. The combination of three 7s was seen as the ultimate jackpot, and it became a standard feature of slot machines.
