1️⃣ What are the three-reel slot machines?

They are gaming slot machines with three independent reels. Because it all started with three-reel slot machines, these slots are usually called “classic gaming slots“ or “retro gaming slots“.

2️⃣ Where can I play the three-reel slot machines for free?

You can play the three-reel slot machines for free on our website without any limitations, as well as the four-reel, five-reel, and other gaming slot machines.

3️⃣ Do the three-reel slot machines only have fruit symbols?

Although the fruit symbols are pretty typical for the three-reel slot machines, there are also slot machines with other symbols and themes, for example, fantasy, sci-fi, and western. Because of that, basically anyone can play three-reel slot machines.

4️⃣ Can you win the jackpot on the three-reel slot machines?

Yes. Just because three-reel slot machines don’t have as many reels as other slots doesn’t mean you can’t win great jackpots on them. Some three-reel slot machines even have high volatility, which means that you can win disturbingly high-value prizes on them. And we haven’t even started on the common practice of UK online casinos, which usually offer players stand-alone jackpots.

5️⃣ Who are the three-reel slot machines intended for?

The three-reel slot machines, thanks to their uncomplicated gameplay, are suitable for all beginners, newbies, and players who prefer undemanding gameplay.

Three-reels slot machines online for free

Dive into the uncomplicated but still fascinating world of three-reel slot machines! These machines are often associated with classic gaming and fruit themes; however, as you will find out below, they have a lot more to offer!

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Top rated game:	Mystery Joker
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Author:

Albie

Updated:

19.3.2025

Article content about the three-reel slot machines

What are the three-reel slot machines?
Best three-reel slot machines
Bonus Joker 2 - Apollo Games
Simply the best 81 - Kajot Games
Turbo 27 - Kajot Games
5 Stones
Three-reel slot machines for free but with a chance to win money
Manufacturers of the three-reel slot machines
The most popular manufacturers of three-reel slots
Special symbols and functions of the three-reel slot machines
The history of three-reel slot machines
What themes do the three-reel slot machines offer?
Three-reel slot machines with jackpots
FAQ - frequently asked questions

What are the three-reel slot machines?

It really isn’t complicated. Three-reel slot machines are gaming devices with three moving reels. The playing field of these machines is therefore three fields wide and unlimited vertical fields (usually 3, at maximum 4).

Each reel then has a number of symbols on it, which is a rule primarily with slot machines in brick-and-mortar casinos. In the case of online slot machines, the symbols are shown somewhat randomly (they still have a given sequence).

Best three-reel slot machines

All three-reel slot machines are not the same. Even though they all have the same number of reels, some of them are a lot more popular than others. Let’s take a look at what games on our website are most played.

Respin Joker

The company Synot Games specialises in classic gaming slot machines, which they have offered in brick-and-mortar stores, and Respin Joker is a great proof. This three-reel gaming slot offers classic fruit symbols, to which are added Joker symbols. The joker has two functions. Besides the classic adding in a missing symbol, it also brings re-spin, the so-called respin of the slot machine.
This spin can bring you more wins as well as another re-spin. Now you may realise why Respin Joker is first on our list of the best gaming slot machines.

Bonus Joker 2 – Apollo Games

Bonus Joker 2 at first looks like a completely normal slot machine; beside the three reels, you can also find fruit symbols; however, nothing would be so far away from the truth. Bonus Joker 2 is, like many other three-reel slot machines from Apollo Games (Wooden Fruits, Jewel Fruit, Horus Eye), featured with special bonus symbols. Thanks to those, you won’t only find an adding the missing symbol but also free spins. You can get between 5 and 15 in one game!

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Turbo 27

Layout	3-3
Theme	🍉 Fruit
RTP	95%

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93 %

69 %

Special features

Simply the best 81 – Kajot Games

A great classic from the company Kajot Games. Simply the best 81 has everything you would expect from it, i.e., popular fruit symbols, bells, and colours. Three cherries bring you 5 free spins, three stars then 15 free spins. And the joker replaces any missing symbols. Therefore, don’t get carried away by a wave of not-so-difficult gameplay and enjoy the interesting prizes!

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2021 Hit Slot

Layout	3x3
Theme	7️⃣ Sevens 777
RTP	84% - 96%

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85 %

88 %

Special features

Turbo 27 – Kajot Games

The gaming slot machine Turbo 27 has a very modern look despite the three reels and fruit symbols. Beside that, it also possesses modern gameplay. The central point of this gaming slot machine are the letters from the name: TU – R – BO. If the whole title is shown on the playing field, you get 10 free spins right away! The single symbol “R” then brings you at least double the prize!

5 Stones

5 Stones is a classic whose main motive is Egypt. The WILD symbol stands for any playing symbol. After you win, you can play a special game. You can try out this slot machine for free or for real money. Five reels, three winning orders — that is what the gaming slot 5 Stones offers you. You can also look forward to 17 winning lines.

What benefits do three-reel slot machines have?

In the world of casino games, a simple rule often applies; the bigger the number of functions and other conveniences the casino game has, the less it pays out. It applies to the gaming slot machines as well. There’s little to no trap awaiting you on the three-reel slots and a few winning lines. That’s why these slot machines often have a high payout. I.e., within every game, we receive more money than when playing much more complicated winning devices. That’s only the start.

Three-reel slot machines are, thanks to the fact they have three reels only and a few winning lines, as undemanding as possible. That’s why they’re great for beginners and newbies that want to understand the basic rules of this game before stepping into the big world of slot machines. As well as for players who don’t want to pay attention while playing the slot machines. As soon as you become familiar with the basic principles of this game, you can easily zone out while playing three-reel slot machines without missing out on the excitement from the game.

The excitement from the game on three-reel slot machines can be brought up to the absolute maximum because some of these slot machines offer jackpots, even though they have a minimal number of reels. Also, slot machines with high volatility can be found between them, i.e., with less frequent but high winnings.

Usually undemanding gameplay
Simple rules
You always know what you're on
Jackpots
Wide offering of fruit symbols and retro themes

A little themes offering
Bonus games are usually not as elaborate

Three-reel slot machines for free but with a chance to win money

Three-reel free slot machines are nice, but they have one big drawback. You can’t win real money on them. So, once you have chosen your favourite among the three-reel slots for free, you might think of trying it for money as well. The great news is that you still don’t have to leave your comfort zone and risk your own finances. There is a way to play slots for free, but with the possibility of real winnings.

The possibility to play slot machines for free is brought to us by casino bonuses. Specifically the sign-up bonuses, i.e., bonuses that the casinos give right after registration to the online casino without any need for a deposit.

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23 No-Deposit Sign-up Free spins on Book of Dead slot
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Warning: Play and gamble responsibly | Gambling may be addictive 18+ | Underage gambling is an offence | When the fun stops, stop.

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Manufacturers of the three-reel slot machines

Nearly every development company has its own three-reel slot machine. However, some of them have it as a specialisation or at least as an integral part of their portfolio.

The most popular manufacturers of three-reel slots

Yggdrasil

Kajot Games

Endorphina

Special symbols and functions of the three-reel slot machines

The three-reel slot machines are not exactly a synonym for ingenuity and originality, but it is them who offer some of the special symbols and functions. Some of them are Wild symbols, Scatter symbols, and other symbols that combine the functions of the symbols mentioned above, or some advanced functions.

Wild symbol

Bonus Wild has a representative function on the playing field, i.e., it drops in for any missing symbol in the playing field so that you make a wanted combination. Wild usually looks like a joker, clown, or symbol that suits the game topic.

Expanding wild

Some modern gaming slot machines bring you advanced possibilities, for example, Expanding Wild. Expanding Wild is an advanced symbol Wild, that will spread over the entire reel. This bonus symbol can therefore stand in for other missing symbols on the playing field.

Scatter symbol

Scatter brings free spins or other bonus games to the game (according to the slot machine type). The number of free spins or length of the bonus game depends on the number of Scatter symbols on the playing field. Their positions usually don’t matter, i.e., they don’t have to create one winning line.

Multiplier

Multiplier is the prize multiplier. For example, if you win £100 and the multiplier is added to it, then your winnings are £200. Most of the multiplier symbols are added or multiplied by each other, so if you have two multipliers on your playing field, beside the winnings, you are entitled to a prize of £400, etc.

Combined symbol Wild/Scatter/Multiplier

Sometimes, within some of the modern slot machines, combined symbols Wild or Scatter occur. These symbols usually don’t have a single function but two or more. One symbol can then stand in for all the missing symbols on the playing field and multiply your prize as well, possibly bringing you free spins.

The history of three-reel slot machines

The three-reel slot machines stand at the very beginning of all slot machines. It actually all started with a three-reel slot machine. It was called the Liberty Bell and was invented sometime between 1887 and 1895 by mechanic Charles Fey.

Since then, the three-reel slot machines have undergone a lot of changes, from complete mechanic control and gameplay (when they were played by pulling the lever on the side of the slot machine) to a whole new automatic control and gameplay (when you have to press a button only for the reels to start spinning). Beside that, the three-reel slot machines are controlled by a so-called random number generator, which ensures fully random results.

With the advent of online casinos, three-reel slots were left behind for a while as the industry went through many innovations, including the introduction of four-reel, five-reel, and atypical slots. Together with the advent of retro fashion, however, three-reel slot machines are coming back to the fore.

What themes do the three-reel slot machines offer?

The three-reel slot machines are often automatically confused with retro gaming slot machines or classic gaming slot machines, which isn’t neccessarily wrong. It all started with three-reel slot machines, and that is what can’t be taken away from these slot machines. What is a bit wrong is confusing three-reel slot machines with fruit gaming slot machines. That is true in most cases, but not in all of them.

Gaming slot machines manufacturers are trying to show off new ideas, not only new functions and options, but themes too. In addition to classic fruit symbols, three-reel slot machines usually feature other natural themes (animals, flowers), luxury symbols (diamonds, gold coins, etc.), or fantasy or sci-fi themes. Three-reel slot machines still have a lot to offer.

Three-reel slot machines with jackpots

Because three-reel slot machines are usually very undemanding, people tend to automatically classify them as gaming slot machines, on which you are not able to get jackpots. However, that is completely wrong.

Three-reel slot machines often offer jackpots, either built-in within the given game or additional jackpots offered across the board by online casinos. In some cases, they are jackpots, which will get you excited.

FAQ – frequently asked questions

1️⃣ What are the three-reel slot machines?

They are gaming slot machines with three independent reels. Because it all started with three-reel slot machines, these slots are usually called “classic gaming slots“ or “retro gaming slots“.
2️⃣ Where can I play the three-reel slot machines for free?

You can play the three-reel slot machines for free on our website without any limitations, as well as the four-reel, five-reel, and other gaming slot machines.
3️⃣ Do the three-reel slot machines only have fruit symbols?

Although the fruit symbols are pretty typical for the three-reel slot machines, there are also slot machines with other symbols and themes, for example, fantasy, sci-fi, and western. Because of that, basically anyone can play three-reel slot machines.
4️⃣ Can you win the jackpot on the three-reel slot machines?

Yes. Just because three-reel slot machines don’t have as many reels as other slots doesn’t mean you can’t win great jackpots on them. Some three-reel slot machines even have high volatility, which means that you can win disturbingly high-value prizes on them. And we haven’t even started on the common practice of UK online casinos, which usually offer players stand-alone jackpots.
5️⃣ Who are the three-reel slot machines intended for?

The three-reel slot machines, thanks to their uncomplicated gameplay, are suitable for all beginners, newbies, and players who prefer undemanding gameplay.