Slot Features: Reels

Alongside the popular bonus features that players can trigger in their favourite slots, some game mechanics also function as bonuses. For example, the reels in UK online slots can offer unique features that impact the gameplay. While these spinning components are fundamental to slot play, the variety of reel features can uniquely impact gameplay!

How Reels Work Explained

Reel sets are important in slot games; the latter wouldn't exist without them. One of the main functions is to house the various symbols in play. Another is to have the players spin the reels in the hope of landing matching symbol combinations on the play grid. The number of reels in play can vary between games, with Megaways slots UK often including 6 reels, while more classic slots might only use 3 in play.

Slot game providers have found numerous ways to make reel sets as dynamic and exciting as possible; this could be via the introduction of increased reel sizes in play or even locking symbols in a specific reel for following spins. Some reel features are more popular in slot titles than others; however, all these mechanics are proving popular among slot developers and players.

Different Types of Reels

The ever-expanding iGaming industry means that developers have multiple ways to experiment in the implementation of reel sets in their games, from the popular game mechanics like cascading reels seen in titles like the Monkeys Go Bananas Multimax slot to more obscure reel sets across the range of slot titles out there. Some of the most popular variants in modern titles include:

Cascading Reels = triggered every time a successful symbol combination potentially lands in games that feature it. Cascades form by removing winning symbol combinations from play; the empty spaces fill with new symbols from above! The cascading reels feature in some games continues indefinitely until no new symbol combination form or a specific value hits

Expanding Reels = triggering this mechanic requires landing a successful symbol combination, expanding the reels to feature more symbols if it does. The extra symbol space usually stays active, and the reel set may further expand as consecutive symbol combinations form, up to a set maximum number of symbols per reel

Held Reels = this feature allows players to choose to hold certain reels in play for the next spin as the remaining reels produce new, random play symbols

Locked Reels = this works by pairing two separate reels in play and synchronising the symbols that land here as seen in many titles like the Twin Spin slot - this reel feature forms mirrored symbols in all locked reels of play

Multiple Reels = these games allow players to spin more than just a set of reels in each game, although it's worth noting that this multiple reels feature will likely require a bet stake per play grid in play

Of course, we also have to mention the Megaways slot mechanic. This feature is in an ever-growing number of slot games, and it sees each reel in play produce between 2 and 7 symbols in each spin; this provides a dynamic play grid in titles like Pompeii Megareels Megaways or the Spartacus Megaways slot, where players can unlock up to 117,649 paylines!

Popular Games That Use Unique Reel Sets

Gamers looking for slots with interesting bonus reel mechanics can find all the biggest and best tiles at Lottomart. Here are just some of the games that incorporate reel features in play.

Buffalo Hold and Win

Released in 2021, the Buffalo Hold and Win slot features a North American wilderness setting, while symbols comprise the animals that call this place home. Gamers that land 6+ Coin symbols in a single spin can trigger the Hold and Win feature that causes all symbol spaces apart from those holding coins to respin. The developers at Booming Games have imbued these coins with multiplier values. Jackpot prizes can also potentially land in the Hold and Win feature!

Karen Maneater

The developers at Nolimit City have shown they'll take inspiration from the most bizarre places in the Karen Maneater slot based on an internet meme; this slot game begins with a 2-2-3-3-3-3 reel set, though the raccoon Scatter can cause reels to expand, meaning the play grid can potentially reach 2-3-4-5-6-7 in size! Along with their interesting reel features, NoLimit City has birthed an entirely new genre of slot themes here.

Other Bonus Features

Reels are just one of the many slot features providers work into modern slot games, and players can experience a variety of other bonus mechanics here at Lottomart. From modern video slots to live casino games, bonus features and mechanics have become a staple of iGaming titles, and we have many of these games on site!

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