In June 2014, WMS developed and released the first 6-reel online pokie — Red Flag Fleet. The pokie’s unusual game screen resembling a pyramid marked the dawn of the new era in the pokies production business.
If you are itching for a change in your gameplay, stay with us until the end and learn more about 6-reel pokies’ characteristics, popular titles, and positive and negative aspects.
What Are 6-Reel Pokies?
By definition, 6-reel pokies have one more reel added instead of the usual five. Developers created them to offer players a bigger playing field and a wider range of possibilities with every spin. The biggest prize can be won for the combinations of six straight. This is more difficult to achieve but also more rewarding.
Some players find these games a bit complex compared to their 5-reel counterparts. But, if you learn how their unique features work, they may turn out to be much more enjoyable. The leading developers of these pokies include:
Popular Pokies With 6-Reels
Since there is a limited number of 6-reel pokies in Aussie casinos, it is easier to identify the most popular ones. However, If you don’t want to waste your time searching for them, have a look at our list of 6-reel pokies above, and you’ll find the most popular titles from this category in no time.
Features of 6-Reel Pokies
The sixth reel is the distinctive feature of pokies in this category. However, the gameplay has remained the same. Once you click the Spin button, it will set the reels in motion and give you a chance to win based on the combination of symbols that you land. The gameplay takes place on 6×4 and 6×3 grid layouts.
The sixth reel ultimately results in more ways to win, which can sometimes go up to 4,096 or more. Players have to match symbols across adjacent reels to win prizes with longer combinations.
6-reel pokies usually feature appealing gameplay and captivating themes, such as animals, food, fruit, Egypt, and many more.
Developers use the sixth reel in several ways:
- As a regular reel in the main game
- As a bonus reel that is triggered when certain conditions are met
- As an additional reel during free spins
Thanks to the sixth reel, a higher number of matching symbols contribute to forming a winning combination. The most lucrative ones consist of six identical symbols. If you decide to go out of your comfort zone and play any of the 6-reel pokies, you’ll notice that plenty of them offer stacked symbols — extended symbols covering an entire reel.
Other special features include scatters, wilds, staggered reels, and multipliers. Many also come with generous jackpot payouts.
Because of these perks, players have far more possibilities to win (although the RTP is not affected), activate special features like free spin rounds, and even land the big six-of-a-kind.
Advantages and Disadvantages of 6-Reel Pokies
All casino games have advantages and disadvantages, and 6-reel pokies are no exception.
The following are some of the most important ones that will help you understand what you can expect when playing these games.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wider range of possibilities with each spin | Smaller pool of 6-reel pokies available online |
| Higher number of paylines played Any Way | Complex rules in some of them |
| High payouts from bonus rounds | |
| Demo mode available | |
| Numerous exciting features |
Final Thoughts
Pokies with six reels might be a perfect choice for modern players who want an upgrade from the standard 3-reel and 5-reel games. They come with multiple exciting bonus features, demo and real money mode, and thousands of ways to win.
If you are into out-of-the-ordinary gameplay, take one more look at our list of the most popular 6-reel pokies, select the one you like, and spin those reels!