Among the many games in the online gambling world, 3-reel slots have not received the attention they deserve. Outshined by their 5-reel counterparts, this sub-genre has been relegated to second place for many years. This is unfortunate, considering that 3-reel titles have a lot to offer, which is often overlooked by the gambling community. To dispel old stereotypes, we have created this article to highlight an underrepresented sub-genre and give you some pointers on the best 3-reel titles available.
3 Reel Slots in the Online Gambling Industry
In the world of online casino gambling, 3-reel slots may not be the most popular variety of slots, but they certainly have their place in the hearts of players. Characterized by their three-reel format, these games usually emulate old-school slots, going as far as incorporating the themes of those classic titles. Many 3-reel titles feature various fruits, bells, and BAR symbols covering the reels, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
It is true that in the past, 3-reel games were rather basic, with few features beyond the base gameplay. Microgaming was notorious for this, releasing very similar 3-reel titles with nearly identical visuals and little differentiation between them. However, over the last few years, software providers have realized that there is real demand for quality 3-reel games, and they have adapted to meet it. As a result, a slew of modern titles has been released, and fans of this sub-genre are having the time of their lives.
Gone are the days of ugly visuals and basic animations. Modern 3-reel slots can now rival any 5-reel game in terms of presentation. Moreover, developers have begun adding more special features to the gameplay, allowing you to claim free spins, activate bonus rounds, and play with additional special symbols. This makes for a better overall experience, and everyone seems satisfied.
Popular 3 Reel Slots
Having covered the basics of 3-reel games, we would like to present you with some examples of great slots that you can play at many online casinos. All of the titles listed below were handpicked by us and are readily available at many popular gambling websites. Moreover, these games are considered some of the best in the sub-genre and will provide you with an outstanding gambling experience.
Eye of the Kraken
Eye of the Kraken is the first game to appear on our list, and it comes to us courtesy of Play’n GO. This game takes the classic 3-reel formula and improves on it by adding features from modern video slots. As a result, the result is an intuitive and highly entertaining 3-reel title that can bring you many great moments. The theme of the game is sea exploration and the eventual encounter with the legendary Kraken. In short, Eye of the Kraken oozes with character, and its atmosphere is absolutely remarkable. As for betting limits, you can wager as little as $0.20 per spin and as much as $10. This should be enough for most players, though certain high rollers may not be satisfied.
The symbols in this game all portray some aspect of sea monster stories. Of all the symbols, the Torpedo pays the most, awarding 20x the total bet for a 3-symbol combination. It is followed by the Captain symbol, which rewards 10x the total bet. Another interesting fact about the symbols is that they are separated into two categories: character and equipment. You can form combinations with any three symbols from a given category. The Wild symbol can substitute for basic symbols on the reels and also provides the same payout as the Torpedo. The Diving Helm is the Scatter symbol, and if you spin 5 or more of them, you can enter Dive Mode to earn great rewards.
| Eye of the Kraken | |
|---|---|
| Software | Play’n GO |
| Release Date | 2015 |
| RTP | 96.00% |
| Bet Limits | $0.20 – $100 |
| Reel Grid | 3×3 |
| Paylines | 8 fixed lines |
| Wilds | Yes |
| Scatters | Yes |
| Bonus Games | Yes, Conquer the Kraken Bonus |
| Free Spins | 9 free spins |
| Progressive Jackpot | N/A |
| Max Payout | 500 x the bet |
| Gamble Feature | N/A |
Watch Eye of the Kraken Gameplay
Eye of the Kraken Additional TipsEye of the Kraken offers plenty of special features. The Torpedo symbol is the key to unlocking the Conquer the Kraken bonus round. For every Torpedo symbol you spin, you get closer to the bonus round. Once you spin 50 of these symbols over the course of multiple spins, you will get to battle the Kraken. This is a pick-and-choose round, where you select three treasure chests held by the Kraken’s tentacles. Reclaiming the chests reveals your prize, and you can receive up to 500x the bet value.
Dive Mode is initiated when you spin 5 Diving Helm symbols at once. This rewards you with 9 free spins, but that is not all. During the free spins, you also gain the benefit of Scatter multipliers. For every Scatter that lands on the reels, your winnings are multiplied by at least 1.5x and up to 225x for 9 Scatters.
Finally, we come to the Wild Kraken Tentacles. During the base game, there is a chance for the Kraken’s tentacles to appear on the reels. Once they do, they transform all symbols they cover into Wilds. As you can imagine, this can lead to excellent wins, and the feature triggers fairly often.
Treasure Horse
The second game to make our list comes from Pragmatic Play. Released in early 2019, this title offers some of the best features and gameplay found in 3-reel slots, and you will no doubt appreciate its entertainment value. The game is centered on Asian culture, and you will see various thematic imagery throughout. The visuals are beautifully rendered, and the atmosphere will relax you and ease you into the experience. Unlike many other 3-reel slots, Treasure Horse comes with 18 different paylines. The game allows you to bet up to 10 coins on each line, with a value between $0.01 and $0.50. If you choose to play at the maximum bet, you will be wagering $90 per spin.
There are nine different symbols in Treasure Horse, though only some will be of interest to you. The coin symbol is the highest-paying of the basic category, rewarding 400x the line bet. The Coin Pack stands in second place, and it pays 150x. The Wild symbol is the one you should aim for. Not only does it substitute for other symbols on the reels, but it also has its own paytable. If you manage to line up 3 Wilds on a single payline, the game pays out an astounding 1,000x the line bet. The last noteworthy symbol in Treasure Horse is the one the game is named for. The Scatter symbol, represented by a Golden Horse, does not have its own paytable, but it will reward you with free spins under certain conditions.
| Treasure Horse | |
|---|---|
| Software | Pragmatic Play |
| Release Date | 2019 |
| RTP | 96.52% |
| Bet Limits | $0.18 – $90 |
| Reel Grid | 3×3 |
| Paylines | 18 fixed lines |
| Wilds | Yes |
| Scatters | Yes |
| Bonus Games | N/A |
| Free Spins | 8 free spins |
| Progressive Jackpot | N/A |
| Max Payout | 6,000 x the bet |
| Gamble Feature | N/A |
Watch Treasure Horse Gameplay
Treasure Horse Additional TipsThe free-spins round is the only special feature in Treasure Horse, triggered once you spin 3 or more Scatter symbols on the reels. The game awards 8 free spins and also adds a fourth reel for the duration of the round. The additional reel spins only multiplier items, chosen randomly at the end of each spin. If you score any wins, they are multiplied based on the outcome of the fourth reel.
Outside of that, there is little else to discuss. The game is simple, as are most 3-reel slots. That, however, does not make it bad. In fact, once you load it up, you will instantly understand that this is one of the best games available.
Royal Respin Deluxe
Royal Respin Deluxe, the first Playtech title on this list, is an interesting 3-reel slot released in May 2018. Very reminiscent of old-school slots, Royal Respin Deluxe incorporates the latest developments in the online slots scene. Playtech has done an excellent job recreating the 3-reel slot experience while improving on the standard formula. As a result, Royal Respin is a great game to try, and the new features it includes will certainly make it worth your while. As we have already mentioned, Royal Respin has 3 reels and 9 paylines, more than the average 3-reel slot.
The symbols in Royal Respin are typical for this sub-genre, taking the form of Sevens, Bars, and similar icons. As far as the basic symbols are concerned, the Seven is the highest-paying, and if you line up 3 of them on a single payline, you will receive a 50x payout. The Seven-Bar symbol, on the other hand, pays 40x for a 3-symbol combination. Furthermore, these two symbols can form mixed combinations, rewarding you with 20x. Moreover, the lower-paying BAR symbols can form combinations on their own or with any other BAR symbol.
| Royal Respin Deluxe | |
|---|---|
| Software | Playtech |
| Release Date | 2018 |
| RTP | 95.10% |
| Bet Limits | $0.01 – $900 |
| Reel Grid | 3×3 |
| Paylines | 1, 5, or 9 adjustable lines |
| Wilds | Yes, with 2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x multipliers |
| Scatters | N/A |
| Bonus Games | N/A |
| Free Spins | N/A, Respins only |
| Progressive Jackpot | N/A |
| Max Payout | 10,000 x the line bet |
| Gamble Feature | N/A |
Watch Royal Respin Deluxe Gameplay
Royal Respin Deluxe Additional TipsA key feature of Royal Respin comes in the form of Wild Multiplier symbols. These multiply your winnings by the number indicated on the symbol, specifically 2x, 3x, or 5x. Furthermore, the Wild multipliers can also form combinations with one another. The most profitable is the 2x – 5x – 2x pattern, which rewards 100x to lucky players. Multiplier Wilds have an additional role in the base gameplay. Whenever a Multiplier Wild lands in the middle position on the second reel, the game pays for any combinations and then respins the other two reels. This gives you the opportunity to score two combinations for the price of a single spin, and the multiplier further increases your winnings.
Fire 88
Pragmatic Play may not be the most popular software provider in the online gambling industry, but it certainly offers great games. Fire 88 is an excellent example from a lesser-known company that can still rival offerings from top providers like NetEnt, Playtech, or Microgaming. Visually, Fire 88 hits all the right points. The graphics are bright and beautiful, while the art style is designed to be timeless. We are certain that you will love the aesthetic as soon as you open the game and will continue to do so for as long as you keep playing. Fire 88 comes with 7 paylines laid across the three reels, and you can bet up to 10 coins on each line, with a value ranging between $0.01 and $0.50. As a result, the maximum bet amounts to $35 per spin, which should satisfy most gamblers.
As far as gameplay is concerned, Fire 88 includes 7 different symbols. The 88 symbol is the highest-paying basic symbol, rewarding you with 100x the line bet. The Diamond follows closely behind with a 60x payout. There are two special symbols in the game: the Wild and the Scatter. The Wild is the Dragon, and it provides a 250x payout while substituting for all basic symbols. The 88 Jackpot represents the Scatter, with the Jackpot label added randomly to 88 symbols. Whenever you hit 3 of this special symbol, you trigger the Jackpot Bonus Game.
| Fire 88 | |
|---|---|
| Software | Pragmatic Play |
| Release Date | 2018 |
| RTP | 96.45% |
| Bet Limits | $0.07 – $35 |
| Reel Grid | 3×3 |
| Paylines | 7 fixed lines |
| Wilds | Yes, substitutes & awards respin |
| Scatters | Yes |
| Bonus Games | Yes, Fixed Jackpot Bonus Game |
| Free Spins | N/A, Respins only |
| Progressive Jackpot | N/A |
| Max Payout | 888 x the bet |
| Gamble Feature | N/A |
Watch Fire 88 Gameplay
Fire 88 Additional TipsThere are several interesting features in Fire 88 that you will want to know about. First is the respin feature, triggered whenever you spin 2 Wild symbols at once. The game gives you a chance to form a 3-symbol combination and respins the reel without a Wild. As for the Jackpot Bonus Game, it is triggered once you spin 3 88 Jackpot symbols. There are 3 different jackpots in the mini-game, and you can unlock them by revealing coins. Once you reveal 3 coins of the same color, you win the jackpot associated with it. The blue coins reward 38x the total bet, while the green ones provide 88x. The red coins offer the highest jackpot at a staggering 888x the total bet value.
Overall, Fire 88 is quite simple, and therein lies its greatest strength. It offers excellent gameplay and gives you the chance to score some great wins.
Mega Joker
There are several games named Mega Joker, but for the purposes of this article, we will focus on the one by NetEnt. Mega Joker is one of the more innovative 3-reel slots currently available in the online gambling industry, and it not only delivers stellar gameplay, but also an immersive experience. The title places you in front of a Vegas-style slot machine, making you feel as if you are at an actual land-based casino. The three reels are covered by 5 individual paylines, allowing you to form various winning patterns. The betting limits may not be as flexible as in other slots, but the $10 maximum wager per spin should be enough for most players.
As for the symbols, most are taken directly from classic fruit machines. The Treasure Chest pays the most in the base game, rewarding you with a 200x or 2,000x payout if you play with 1 or 10 coins, respectively. The Joker symbol can pay up to 400x on a 10-coin wager, while the Bells pay 200x when betting the same number of coins.
| Mega Joker | |
|---|---|
| Software | NetEnt |
| Release Date | 2011 |
| RTP | 99.00% |
| Bet Limits | $1 – $10 |
| Reel Grid | 3×3 |
| Paylines | 5 fixed lines |
| Wilds | N/A |
| Scatters | N/A |
| Bonus Games | N/A |
| Free Spins | N/A |
| Progressive Jackpot | Yes |
| Max Payout | 2,000 coins |
| Gamble Feature | N/A |
Watch Mega Joker Gameplay
Mega Joker Additional TipsMega Joker is unique compared to many other slot games because there are two sets of reels at your disposal. The first is used for the base game, and that is where you will place most of your wagers. However, once you score a win, you have the opportunity to move the money you won to the other set, called the Supermeter. This set of reels comes with its own payout ratios and additional symbols, and the betting limits are much higher, with greater minimums and maximums.
If you choose to move your money, you will be wagering either 20 or 40 coins per spin and will continue to do so until your cash runs out or you choose to collect what you have won. You can leave the Supermeter at any time, though you can return only if you score a winning combination on the lower reels. Moreover, you cannot move funds from your bankroll to the Supermeter, so you have to choose carefully. When playing on the Supermeter at 40 coins, the house edge of Mega Joker is reduced to 1%, which is unheard of in slot games. Of course, you will need to take into account the higher cost per spin.
Overall, Mega Joker does not bother with complicated bonus features and relies on its base gameplay to deliver the experience. There is a lot of fun to be had in Mega Joker if you are willing to give this game a shot, and we recommend that you do.