If you’ve ever played a slot game and suddenly been taken to a whole new screen or seen the reels shift dramatically, you’ve probably experienced what’s known as a “bonus round.” These features are designed to break up the base game, offer extra prizes, and of course, crank up the excitement. But what many casual players don’t realize is that these bonus rounds often run on entirely different reels than the main game. These “special reels” play a big role in shaping how the bonus plays out and how big your potential win could be.
In this article, I’ll walk you through what these special reels are, why they’re used, how they affect gameplay, and how they compare to the fast-growing genre of crash games, which take an entirely different approach to bonus features. Whether you’re a seasoned slots enthusiast or someone exploring online casino games for the first time, understanding these mechanics can make your gameplay more informed and enjoyable.
Understanding Reels in Online Slots
To start, let’s clarify what we mean by “reels.” In traditional slot machines, reels are the vertical sections that spin and display symbols. Classic slots often have three reels, while modern video slots usually come with five or more. The arrangement of symbols across these reels determines whether you win or lose.
When you trigger a bonus round, however, things can shift dramatically. Suddenly, the symbols might change. The layout might expand. Even the music and visuals may become more dramatic. This is not just a cosmetic upgrade—under the hood, you’re often dealing with an entirely new set of reels.
What Are Special Reels?
Special reels are alternative reels that are programmed specifically for use during bonus rounds or other special features. They differ from the base game reels in several key ways:
Symbol Frequency: Higher-paying symbols or bonus-only symbols may be more common.
Wild and Multiplier Enhancements: Special wilds or multipliers may appear only in the bonus.
Layout Changes: The grid might expand from 5×3 to something like 6×5, introducing more paylines.
New Features: Cascading reels, sticky wilds, or walking wilds may be added.
These special reels are designed to create a different rhythm and reward structure during the bonus feature. Developers use them to heighten the sense of anticipation and offer more lucrative winning opportunities, keeping the player engaged and coming back for more.
Why Game Developers Use Special Reels
Using special reels in bonus rounds allows game developers to introduce variety without changing the core mechanics of the base game. This approach is particularly effective for several reasons:
Player Engagement
Bonus rounds serve as a dopamine boost in the gaming cycle. When players are taken to a new reel set with exciting visuals and richer rewards, it breaks the monotony and injects a sense of novelty. You’re no longer spinning the same reels; you’re in a “new zone” with heightened potential.
Increased Volatility (In a Good Way)
Many slots are designed to have relatively low volatility during the base game—meaning wins are frequent but small. When you enter a bonus round with special reels, the volatility often increases, offering a chance at much larger payouts. These reels are specifically programmed to reflect that, increasing the chance of hitting big wins or special features like expanding wilds or free retriggers.
Flexibility in Game Design
From a development standpoint, separating the base reels from the bonus reels gives more creative freedom. Developers can craft unique themes, animations, and symbol sets for the bonus rounds without disrupting the balance of the main game. This means they can provide immersive storytelling or thematic elements that wouldn’t make sense in the base game.
Examples of Popular Games with Special Reels
One standout example is Sweet Bonanza by Pragmatic Play. During the base game, you spin on a standard 6×5 grid with tumbling symbols. But when you trigger the Free Spins feature, multipliers appear on the reels—some as high as 100x—and the overall hit rate increases. This shift makes the bonus round feel more rewarding and action-packed.
Another good example is Book of Dead by Play’n GO. When you enter the free spins bonus, a special symbol is chosen to expand. This changes how wins are calculated and adds a strategic twist to the feature, even though the reels themselves look the same on the surface. Behind the scenes, the payout structure and symbol behavior are driven by a unique reel set.
Crash Games: A Bonus-Free, Yet Thrilling Alternative
Now, let’s pivot for a moment and talk about crash games. These are increasingly popular in the online casino space and represent a completely different gaming style—one that often skips reels altogether.
Crash games like Aviator or Bustabit work on a very simple concept: a multiplier rises over time, and players must choose when to cash out before the game “crashes.” The longer you wait, the bigger your potential win—but if you wait too long, you lose everything.
So, what does this have to do with special reels or bonus rounds?
Well, crash games don’t use reels or traditional bonus rounds at all. But they offer a similar kind of rush. That same thrill of “what’s going to happen next” that you get from triggering a new bonus reel in a slot game? Crash games deliver that through real-time decision-making and risk-reward dynamics.
These games strip away the symbols and paylines and go straight to the psychological core of what makes gambling exciting: the tension, the anticipation, and the chance to win big at any moment. Because of this, many players who love the adrenaline of special bonus reels in slot games also enjoy crash games for the same reason.
How to Spot a Slot with Special Reels in the Bonus
If you’re curious whether a game uses special reels in its bonus round, here are a few things to look for:
Changes in Symbol Types or Frequency: If you see more wilds or unique bonus symbols, you’re likely on a different reel set.
Grid Expansion: Some games expand from 5×3 to 6×4 or even larger during the bonus.
Increased Multipliers: Multipliers are often more prevalent in special reels.
Shift in Theme or Animation: Drastic changes in music, visuals, or animation usually signal a transition to a special reel configuration.
Slot developers often tease these changes during loading screens or in the game’s information tab. If you’re playing at a reputable online casino, you can also check the game’s help menu for details about bonus mechanics and reel setups.
Conclusion: Special Reels Make the Bonus Special
Special reels are a crucial part of what makes bonus rounds feel, well, special. They are specifically designed to shift the dynamics of the game, offering greater chances for wins, more excitement, and an overall enhanced player experience. While it might feel like you’re just seeing new symbols, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes that changes how the game plays and pays.
Understanding how special reels work gives you a deeper appreciation for the design of your favorite slot games—and possibly even improves your play strategy by helping you know what to expect when that bonus feature hits.
And if you’re the kind of player who craves excitement and fast decision-making, crash games provide an adrenaline-pumping alternative. While they may lack reels altogether, they tap into the same thrill-seeking instincts that make bonus rounds so beloved.
Ultimately, whether you’re a fan of elaborate slot bonuses or the high-stakes simplicity of crash games, knowing how these systems function makes for a smarter, more engaging gaming experience.
