Online Casino 
Free Pokies
How to win at online 5-reel pokies
Written by: Jasmin Williams | The review was last updated: 03 July 2024 | Fact-check by: Kim Birch
In today's digital landscape, online pokies come in all shapes and sizes, which can be a bit overwhelming for new punters. With heaps of features, reels, and rows to choose from, there's always something fresh to try. One popular variety that's caught on is the 5-reel pokie, which you'll find at most online casinos these days.
We'll break down 5-reel pokies and give you the lowdown on how to get started if you're new to the game. Given how common these pokies are, it's worth knowing how to make the most of them when you're having a punt.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Five-reel pokies are a step up from the classic three-reelers. By chucking in a couple more reels, these games opened up a whole new world of potential and bonus features. Most punters reckon five-reelers are the way to go, offering more bang for your buck than their three-reel cousins.
When it comes to categorising pokies, the number of reels is a key factor. More reels mean more paylines, and your typical five-reeler usually sports about 20 paylines. That's not too shabby, and some games even crank it up to 40 or more.
Of course, the pokie world doesn't stop at five reels. You've got your seven-reelers, and some games with more rows than you can shake a stick at, using cluster pays to dish out the winnings. Heck, there are even 10-reel pokies out there - the innovation in this industry never sleeps.
When it comes to free casino games, you're spoilt for choice. Whether you're into ancient myths or futuristic sci-fi, there's a pokie out there for you. Five-reel pokies are your ticket to wild symbols, bonus games, and the chance to hit those big jackpots. So why not give 'em a spin?
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Kiwi pokies: More bonus symbols and bonus round action
Whether they're fresh off the press or old favourites, most pokies operate in a similar fashion.
Five-reel games typically offer more paylines than classic pokies, ranging from 5 to 40 or even more.
More paylines mean more chances to win, but don't forget to check out the bonus features too. They're just as important when choosing which pokie to have a crack at.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Let's dive into some top-notch five-reel pokies you can play online. Give these free games a spin on BETO to get a feel for how they work. We've put together a quick rundown of what each pokie offers. Just remember to keep it fun and gamble responsibly.
Feel free to give these five-reel pokies a go for free right here on BETO.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free game
Heaps more winning combos with Twin Spin Megaways 5 Reeler.
Five-reel pokies are the souped-up cousins of their three-reel counterparts. They pack more features and typically offer heftier payouts.
These games are chocka with exciting elements like avalanche reels, Wilds, bonus spins, Multipliers, Jackpots, Respins, and Stacked Wilds. Most five-reel pokies also feature special symbols like Wilds and Scatters to boost your chances of triggering features or landing bigger wins.
Don't be fooled into thinking all five-reel pokies have limited paylines. Some offer over 1,000 ways to win, far more than the standard 20 or 40.
Give some top-notch five-reel pokies a whirl for free right here on BETO.com.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free game
Blood Suckers 2 - The new five reel pokie benchmark
Just because a pokie has 5 reels doesn't mean you need to match 5 symbols for a win. For most pokies, lining up 3 or more symbols on adjacent reels along an active payline is enough to score a win.
Of course, more matching symbols mean bigger payouts. Hitting 5 of a kind typically gives you the top prize for that symbol. This applies to pokies with set or adjustable paylines, but not to those with heaps of paylines - we're talking 1,000 or more.
Pokies with loads of paylines can dish out much larger wins because you might land multiple winning combos in a single spin.
If you're after a pokie with a solid return, give the Bloodsuckers 2 free demo a go. It boasts a whopping 96.94% RTP, which is pretty choice for Kiwi punters.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free game
Play free 5 reel pokie demos on BETO with Buffalo King Megaways.
The bonus features in five-reel pokies might seem a bit daunting if you're new to them. Most five-reel pokies come with some pretty complex bonus rounds.
You might find some with free spins that have stacked or sticky wilds. Others could have jackpots you can win by filling all the reels with a special symbol during respins.
It's a good idea to check out the paytable and get your head around how the features work before you start playing. You can usually find the paytable by clicking the 'i' button while you're on the pokie.
If you want more info, you can always look at the full rules. But for most punters, the paytable gives you enough detail about the payouts and features to get started.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free game
Thunderstruck Wild Lightning 5-reel pokie free play!
The Thunderstruck Wild Lightning pokie is a top-notch example of a five-reel game with brilliant features and theme.
Many of these pokies draw inspiration from popular telly shows, films, books, and celebs. You'll also find games centred on comedy, romance, horror, aliens, ancient cultures, and heaps more.
The themes in five-reel pokies are well-crafted, and they look absolutely stunning. Even smaller developers are churning out pokies that look mint.
Five-reel pokies are far and away the most common type you'll find. They dominate the market, largely because they outshine 3-reel pokies in pretty much every way.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free game
Big Bass Bonanza 5 reel pokie is a winning combo for Kiwi punters.
Five-reel pokies offer a lot more than their three-reel counterparts. One often overlooked perk of modern 5-reel pokies is that some feature Progressive Jackpots, giving punters a shot at multi-million dollar wins.
While you might not hit wins as often on 5-reel pokies, the payouts tend to be larger. The more complex gameplay brings the potential for those big wins we all dream about.
With heaps of 5-reel pokies to choose from, you can pick based on what you fancy - whether that's flash graphics or a higher Max Win.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Most Kiwis reckon the first five-reel pokie machine popped up in 1887, courtesy of Charles Fey, dubbed the Liberty Bell. If you're ever in Nevada, you might spot the 'Big Irish Luck', a massive 5-reel pokie at Barney's Casino.
When online pokies hit the scene in the mid-90s, 5-reel games took off. These days, they're the go-to choice for most punters. Pick any pokie at random, and odds are it'll be a 5-reeler.
You can still find 3-reel pokies kicking about, but they're not exactly crowd-pleasers anymore.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Discover top tips for 5-Reel Pokies success online
Your winnings in pokies depend on several factors, including the number of active paylines and the matching symbols you land. Some pokies let you choose how many paylines to play, and it's generally better to go for more paylines to boost your chances of a win.
Jackpots are up for grabs if you land the right symbols during bonus rounds. Some pokies even have Scatter Pays, where you can win without lining up symbols on a payline.
It's worth checking out the payout rates before you start spinning, as some pokies offer much higher returns than others.
In certain five-reel pokies, you only need to match 2 high-value symbols for a win, not the usual 3. The Rise of Merlin pokie is a good example of this.
If you're after the biggest potential wins, look for Progressive Jackpot pokies. These games take a small cut from each bet to feed the jackpot, which can grow to millions of dollars.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Spin Top 5-Reel Pokies with Mega Jackpots
Let's chat about Progressive Jackpot pokies, specifically the 5-reel variety, and how you can get stuck in.
When you're playing a Progressive Jackpot pokie, you'll spot the different Jackpots and their values near the reels.
Winning these Progressive Jackpots isn't a walk in the park, but they do offer a decent minimum payout. As more punters like yourself spin the reels on pokies linked to the Jackpot, you'll see its value climb. Once someone bags the Jackpot, it resets to a set amount and starts growing again.
If you're keen on a 5-reel progressive jackpot pokie, it's worth aiming for the ones with the biggest potential wins.
Mega Moolah, a five-reel pokie, is known for some of the heftiest Progressive Jackpot payouts. So if you're after the big bikkies in Progressive Jackpots, five-reel pokies are your best bet.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Look, there's no clear-cut answer here - it really comes down to personal preference. Some punters are keen on NetEnt, while others reckon newer outfits like Stormcraft Studios are the bee's knees. That said, you can't go wrong with the big names like NetEnt, Play'n GO, and Playtech.
One up-and-coming pokie developer that's caught our eye is Nolimit City. They're churning out high-volatility pokies with massive potential and some pretty clever features. Mind you, there are so many new providers popping up these days, it's a bit of a mission to keep tabs on them all.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
It's crucial to check out the paytable before diving into any pokie. 5-reel pokies often have complex paytables with a variety of symbols that can lead to some decent wins.
The paytable breaks down the active paylines and what you'll get for different winning combos. You'll see how many symbols you need to line up and what that'll pay out.
All the symbols in the pokie are listed in the paytable. Typically, playing card symbols like kings, queens, aces, and jacks are the lower-paying ones.
The higher-paying symbols usually tie into the pokie's theme. You'll also spot the Wilds, Scatters, and any other special symbols in there.
Many pokies show exact payouts based on your bet. Sometimes it's not as straightforward, and you might need to do a bit of maths, multiplying the paytable values by your bet per line.
For example, if the paytable shows a win of 5 for three matching symbols, and you've bet 10 on a pokie with 10 paylines, your win would be 5. That's because your bet per line is 1 (10 divided by 10), which then gets multiplied by 5.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Before diving into 5-reel pokies and checking out what the top providers offer, it's worth getting your head around game volatility or variance.
While 3-reel pokies typically dish out wins less often but with potentially bigger payouts, 5-reel pokies come in all sorts of volatilities. High volatility pokies might not pay out as frequently, but when they do, the potential winnings can be massive. Most high volatility pokies offer a Max Win that could be thousands of times your initial bet.
Low volatility pokies are the flip side of the coin. You'll likely see more frequent wins, but don't expect huge payouts. If you're after regular wins and don't mind smaller returns, these might be your go-to. Medium volatility pokies sit somewhere in the middle, offering a balance between win frequency and payout size.
To find out a pokie's volatility, check the provider's website. You can also get a feel for it through gameplay - the frequency of wins can give you a good hint.
If you can't spot the volatility info anywhere, take a look at the Max Win. If it's thousands of times your stake, chances are you're dealing with a high volatility pokie.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
BETO Tips to Win at Online 5 Reel Pokies
When it comes to pokies, there's no shortage of advice on how to get a good result. But remember, what works for one punter might not work for you. So give different strategies a go and see what suits you best.
Follow BETO's expert tips to boost your fun and increase your chances of winning.
Without a budget, you risk blowing too much dosh. Plus, you can't pick the right pokie if you don't know how much you're willing to spend. If you're on a tight budget, go for low variance pokies with high RTP. If you've got more to play with, you can try high variance pokies with massive potential payouts.
It's smart to stick with pokies that have an RTP of 96% or higher, as that's about average. Lower RTP can be okay if there's a chance for a huge win, like with Fixed or Progressive Jackpots. But steer clear of pokies with really low RTPs around 85%.
Five-reel pokies with bonus features like Free Spins and Respins are a top choice. These can lead to big wins, and pokies with these features often have higher Max Wins. Always look for pokies with rewarding Bonus Features.
Don't jump straight into playing with real money. Give the pokie a go for free first and try different bet sizes to see how it plays. Some online casinos offer Free Spins, so use these to get a feel for the game without any risk.
Betting the maximum is a bit risky, but it can work if you've got a hefty bankroll and are after the biggest wins. Even a 300x or 500x win can be massive on a max bet. Just keep in mind this strategy isn't for everyone and shouldn't be your go-to approach.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Here at BETO, we're all about finding top-notch casinos where you can play the newest pokies for free or with real money. If five-reel pokies are your thing, check out the casinos on our site that chuck in Free Spins with their welcome bonus.
Keep an eye on our website for the latest on new pokies, primo casinos, winning strategies, and handy tips. We'll make sure you're always in the loop with everything you need to know about the pokie scene.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
No question about it - 5-reel pokies are where it's at. They're the cream of the crop when it comes to online gambling. Comparing 3-reel and 5-reel pokies is like chalk and cheese. The 5-reelers pack in more features and generally offer better payouts. Plus, they often come with some pretty choice themes that'll keep you entertained for hours.
Yeah, five-reel pokies typically offer bigger payouts overall. Of course, the payouts vary based on volatility, so you might trade frequent wins for larger ones. With more reels, there's more room for hefty prizes. Some of these pokies boast over a thousand paylines, which is pretty impressive. Plus, don't overlook the bonus features - five-reel games are packed with them, often dishing out way more than their three-reel counterparts.
Yep, there are heaps of five-reel pokies out there with top-notch RTP. The average of 96% is pretty choice. Some of the best ones include 1429 Uncharted Seas (98.6%), Steam Tower (97.04%), and Blood Suckers (98%). So, you won't struggle to find a five-reel pokie with a decent return. Even the ones with lower RTP often make up for it with higher Max Win potential, so you're still in with a good shot.
Compared to older or simpler pokies, five-reel games might take a bit more getting used to. With their multiple features, new punters could find them a tad overwhelming at first. But don't let that put you off - the payoffs can be much bigger, and the gameplay's way more engaging. If you're new to the scene, it's definitely worth your while to learn the ropes of five-reel pokies.
Five-reel pokies are the most common type you'll find in New Zealand, though some games feature more. Take Megaways pokies for example - they typically sport six reels. You'll even come across some with a whopping 10 reels. But five-reel pokies seem to have nailed the sweet spot. Their massive popularity among Kiwi punters speaks volumes, so it's fair to say that five reels is the magic number for most players.
BETO's Newsletter
BETO Pokies | Tower Business Centre, 2nd floor | Swatar BKR 4013 | Malta | +356 2144 2245
Copyright 1999 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
No Deposit Bonuses
Pokies
Roulette Guide
Blackjack Guide
Live Casino Guide
Online Poker Guide
Baccarat Guide
Bingo Guide
Game Providers
English
Čeština
Dansk
Deutsch
Eesti
English AU
Español
Eλληνικά
Français
Indonesia
Italiano
Magyar
Nederlands
Norsk
Polski
Português
Pусский
Românesc
Slovenčina
Suomi
Svenska
Tiếng Việt
Türkçe
Български
Српски
Українська
عربي
हिन्दी
বাংলা
ไทย
日本語
简体中文
繁體中文
한국어
Slotland Casino
Book of Dead
TRY THE GAME FOR FREE