3 Reel Slots

Why complicate things when you can win big jackpots on 3-reel fruit machines?

The 3 Reel Slots is a type of classic fruit machine, this style of casino game has been around for over a century. They remain popular and come with timeless bonus features such as wilds, nudges and jackpots. These slot games only have 3 reels and basic graphics making them easier to play.

You can unearth the top-rated 3 reel slots using our expert take on the best 3-reel slot games. Also discover how to win and why many slot players favour these retro casino games in 2024.

What is a 3-Reel Slot?

Thee 3-reel slot machines are classics and are also known as fruit machines. They’re the original slots that often feature fruit, BAR and 7 symbols. You will often find these types of slots in pubs and casinos. These slots started as land-based arcades and are popular casino games that are easy to play.

Ultimately, a 3-reel slot is exactly what you’d expect – a slot machine with 3 reels. The retro design is easy to spot and just as simple to play.

How Does a 3 Reel Slot Work?

When playing 3 Reel Slots you will be aiming to match the middle column across all reels to win. It works the same across all slot concepts, you match winning combos to land real money wins.

Most classic slot games have no more than 5 pay lines in general and for that reason, you will need to combine symbols across each reel. They generally pay on the one line but in some circumstances, you can land wins diagonally, vertically or horizontally.

The main reason to enjoy these types of fruit machines is down to their simple nature. Enjoy playing an easy-to-understand game, designed for new players and experienced punters alike. You won’t need to adjust to flashing and unconventional bonuses, meaning you simply land wins.

The 3 Reel Slots are classic casino games with BAR, 7 and fruit symbols, you can find exciting slots with a twist in the full list below..

Features of a Classic 3 Reel Slot

The whole point of a classic slot game is simplicity, that’s why you won’t find many bonus features on 3 reel slots. The usual features of a 3 reel fruit machine include a nudge and gamble feature.

Let’s take a look at the types of features you can find on 3 reel slots.

Nudge

The retro nudge feature is a bonus that is ubiquitous with pub fruit machines. The feature enables you to nudge the reels down and enjoy another chance to match symbols.

Get a number of nudges then try your best to land a winning combination on the three reels.

Gamble Feature

A gamble feature allows you to gamble your win for a bigger prize. Also known as the double-up feature you can attempt to play double or nothing.

Every time you win, you get the opportunity to try to double your win and even quadruple it.

When playing the double up feature, you get the chance to gamble on playing cards. Guess the colour correctly and you’ll get double the prize.

Re-spins

Respins are different to free spins, when you get a respin you get to spin the reels for another chance of winning.

Generally, this feature is accompanied by sticky reels. If you’re close to a win, two reels stick and the other respins, giving you a second chance to land a winning combo.

Wilds

Wilds are rare on 3 reel slots but when they’re active they make it easier to land wins. A wild symbol can substitute for any other symbol. This makes it easier to land wins and also get big wins.

Jackpot

You can find 3 reel slots with huge jackpots, although these slot machines are simple they still come with exciting wins. You can win jackpots as high as 10,000x your stake.

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of 3 reel slot machines, although they’re easy to play, many of them still come with a tasty max win. Read on to find slots with great payout amounts and also be sure to check out the slot volatility of these games.

Top 3-Reel Slots

There’s a number of exciting video slots with just 3 reels and although they are simple in design they still have lots of features, jackpots and generous RTPs.

Here’s our list of top 10 3-reel video slots:

Break Da Bank Slot Game

Break Da Bank is a popular classic slot with 3 reels, 5 paylines and a max payout of 2,400 coins.

The bank heist theme displays coins, a safe, dollar signs and BAR symbols. There’s a backdrop of coins that also supports the design of this slot machine.

This Microgaming slot is easy to play and although there are not many bonus features, you can enjoy wilds. The wild is represented by the Break Da Bank logo and will substitute for any other symbol.

Take a look at our Break Da Bank Slot Review to find out how to win on this 3 reel slot machine.

Fire Joker Slot Game

Fire Joker Slots is a casino slot from Play’n GO and comes with 3 reels, 5 paylines and a number of bonuses. It comes with respins, multipliers, stacked reels and other features.

The reason this classic slot is loved by many casino players is simply down to the range of bonus round options.

One of the most satisfying bonus features of this game has to be the Wheel of Multipliers, which can reward up to a 10x multiplier.

Overall, the graphics aren’t anything to write home about but this game is easy to play and comes with a number of incredible features and chances to win.

For more on the multiplier bonus and the chance to win big, read our full Fire Joker Slot Review.

Mega Joker Slot Game

Mega Joker Slots is a slot game with 3 reels and is one of the most popular of all slot machines. This casino game comes with lots of bonuses. The bonus round features include the Supermeter, Wilds, Gamble Mode and a Progressive Jackpot.

Land three of the Joker symbols to get your hands on the mystery reward, this jackpot can reach heights of 2,000 coins. This jackpot slot offers the chance to win a huge progressive jackpot.

The symbols on this game include jokers, lemons, oranges, melons, bells and 7s. This is another fantastic joker slot, this classic 3 reel slot comes with lots of themes. We take an in-depth look at the gamble feature and supermeter with our Mega Joker Slot Review.

Liberty Bell Slot Game

Liberty Bell Slots is a vintage 3-reel slot from B3W and offers wilds and up to 1,000 coins as the max win.

This game is basic and easy to play, there’s no scatter symbol or free spins. Play for the jackpot and aim to land matching bell symbols. Other symbols include the BAR symbol, melon symbols and other recognisable icons.

The wild symbol is the bell, this is the most important icon. It activates the max win and can also replace any other symbols, making it easier to land big wins.

Bar Bar Black Sheep Slot Game

The original Bar Bar Black Sheep Slot is a 3-reel casino game from Microgaming.

It comes with a clever twist, to land the huge 1600 jackpot, you will need the following symbols- Bar, Bar, Blacksheep symbols. This matches the title, rather than matching all three symbols they have played on the title.

This slot has one payline and this makes it easy to identify a win. The concept is basic, land winning combinations across the middle row.

Triple Diamond Slot Game

Triple Diamond Slots is a 3-reel slot from IGT that comes with a 1199x payout, wilds and lots of winning combinations.

With a generous max win, the chance of landing wilds and the vibrant theme, this game has fast become a favourite for many casino players that enjoy 3 reel slot machines.

It has an RTP of 96.09% which is above average and also provides a medium variance, meaning there are regular wins.

7s on Fire Slot Game

7s on Fire Slots is a 3 reel slot game with a firey background and lots of retro 7 symbols.

This slot machine was created by Barcrest, it comes with 5 paylines and a max win of 1250x your stake.

Play for real money and lots of winning combinations. Although there’s no free spins, it is an exciting game that is super simple and easy to play.

Lightning Joker Slot Game

The Lightning Joker Slot from Yggdrasil Gaming has 3 reels, 5 paylines and a number of feature. The classic 3 reel slot comes with multipliers, a 10,000x your stake max win and a mystery win.

This Joker themed slot offers a twist with its fast-paced action and lightning reels. Watch lightning strike more than once as you play for the multiplier streaks that can potentially reach 10,000x your stake.

The Return to Player percentage is 96.3% which is way above the average of 95%. Lightning Joker Casino Slot offers an exciting multiplier bonus feature and big wins.

Hot Chilli

Hot Chilli is powered by Pragmatic Play, it’s one of the most popular 3 reels slots available online and offers an Asian cuisine theme.

The slot game displays 3 reels, 9 paylines and you also get the opportunity to win 555 times your stake.

Enjoy wilds, multipliers and the chance to land lots of winning combinations. Hot Chilli Slot has an RTP of 96.52% and medium variance.

Diamond Duke

The Diamond Duke Slots is a Quickspin casino game with 3 reels and 5 paylines. The theme is based around 1950 jukeboxes. You can play for exciting bonus features such as pick them rounds, multipliers and the chance of a max win of 16,000x your stake.

The 3 reel slot machines are simple to play but what’s great about this game is that it comes with a big prize win and bonus rounds.

Diamond Duke Slot has an RTP of 96.23% and has a high variance. This is the ideal game for those chasing bigger wins.

FAQs

What Are the Benefits to 3 Reels?

The benefit to playing a 3-reel slot is that it’s simple- they’re easy to understand and are a great way to introduce yourself to the world of slot games.

There aren’t any crazy graphics or flashing bonus features, instead, the game remains easy to play. To win on these classic fruit machines you will need to match symbols on all three reels.

Plus, there aren’t many bonus features. The general features are gamble features that allow you to double your win, other than that you will sometimes find nudges and wilds.

How to Play?

Playing these slot machines is simple – spin the reels and match symbols on all 3 reels. You don’t need to be well-versed in slots to play a 3-reel casino game.

Follow these steps to play your favourite three reels:

  1. Find your favourite 3 reel slot using the help of our page and list
  2. Check the paytable before starting to ensure you understand the game
  3. Choose your stake and lines using the + and – buttons
  4. Press spin and watch the reels go, the aim is to match symbols on all three reels

You will also want to understand any bonus features the game offers, this could be a gamble feature, wild, nudge or jackpot.

Where to Play 3-Reel Slots?

Classic 3 reel slots are still all the rage, many slot players love the simplistic approach to gambling online and for that reason, you can find these games at all of the best casino sites with 1st deposit bonuses that accompany these exciting slots games.

Here’s a list of the sites you can play 3 reel games at:

Summary

If you love classic slots then 3 reel slots are your bag – these games lack in free spins but come with lots of winning combos, multipliers, wilds and gamble features.

Check out the best welcome bonuses and use your bonus funds for the chance to capture huge jackpots.

Classic slots came from Charles Fey and his classic slot invention. The 3 reel slot machines have developed over time but have stayed true to their roots, ensuring that these slots aren’t complex.

All Types of Reel Slots

Here are all various reel slots features.

A freelance writer who loves to research all areas of online casinos. As a Journalism Graduate, I enjoy copywriting and reviewing all the latest slot machine games released. With many iGaming articles published in Birmingham Mail, Manchester Evening News & Daily Mail. Currently working remote and enjoying the freedom.