Best 4-Reel Slots (Highest RTP/Payouts): Full List

The history of slot machines goes back more than a century. It is unlikely that the founder of the modern slot machine prototype, Charles Fey, could have anticipated the contribution he would make to the gambling industry. Very quickly his invention settled in the USA but had some modifications. In particular, it was a slot with three reels and only 5 symbols. With a bet of 5 cents, the maximum winnings were incredibly modest - just 50 cents. The development of slot machines started towards the middle of the 20th century. Over a period of more than half a century, the slots moved to the online space, and they themselves acquired different parameters, functions and winning potential.

The most classic version of the playing field since the advent of slot machines has been the grid with three reels and three symbols depicted on them. Surprisingly, five-reel slots were subsequently adopted as a classic. It's very hard to imagine the industry today without these variants. However, games with a non-standard number of reels - four reels - are becoming increasingly popular. Every player should become more familiar with them in order to get a perspective on their development.

What are 4 reel slots

First of all, I should say that the reels are the driving force behind every game. They are the columns with the images on them and are arranged vertically. Depending on the model, there may be between 1 and 10 images. The symbols on the reels create rows in the slots. All this together is called the playing field (grid).

Slots with three and five reels have been considered traditional for iGaming for many years. They account for over 90% of all slots. Sometimes developers deviate from the rules. So games with an alternative number of reels appeared, followed by features and payout methods in slots. Today games with 4, 6, 7, 9 reels, twin playing fields, etc. are known. One of the rare options is slots with 4 reels. There are currently only 200 models.

Despite the lack of popularity of such slots, almost every developer releases them. The 4 reels models are present in the library not only from industry leaders - Wazdan, Big Time Gaming, Red Tiger, Merkur Gaming, BetSoft, Habanero, IGT, Microgaming - but also from less well-known providers. These include Spearhead, StakeLogic, CQ9 Gaming, High 5 Games, and Greentube.

Payouts in 4 reels slots do not have any common mechanics. Each developer strives to make their product even more unique. In these models, winning combinations are formed on 9 to 100 lines, as well as through Ways to Win mechanics. In the latter case, users get from 243 to 4096 Ways to Win. That is, in order for the payout to take place, you need to collect the same symbols on adjacent reels. Rarely, though, do providers bring one of the most innovative mechanics into their products - Cluster Pays.

How to play 4 reel slots?

You may be surprised, but playing 4 reels slots is easy, and sometimes also exciting. Very often, developers incorporate interesting mechanics and solutions into the gameplay. Some allow the reels to expand, others allow the symbols to disappear, while others offer a unique playing field (for example, 4×4*4). In essence, machines with 4 reels are similar to traditional ones. They also use a wide variety of themes, good music, and modern features.

Playing any slot in this category is as easy as any other. All you have to do is choose your bet size. Most slot machines of this type have a fixed number of lines, but there are more advanced models. You can adjust the coin value, the number of active lines and the stake per line. Such customisable slots allow players to pick strategies and personally adjust their spending.

Before you start playing, always familiarize yourself with the rules of a particular slot. Many slot machines have a variable RTP. This can have a negative effect on your bankroll because the actual payout can be very low (e.g. 92%). By the way, this is the coefficient that operators prefer to choose. It is he who brings them the most profits. Other models, on the contrary, offer a very nice RTP. Its size is much higher than the recommended 96%. This suggests that 4-reel slots are as diverse in their parameters as any other.

Pay particular attention to the size of the bet in games in this category. Since paylines are most commonly used here, you should realize that your winnings depend on the size of your bet. The higher you bet each time, the less theoretically your session will last. The betting range in these slots is quite flexible. Some support a small range (0.1 - 20 USD), while others accept large amounts up to 500 USD.

Maximum winnings are what every user strives for. By investing our personal funds, we are expecting a big payout. In this respect, the slots are also close to the classic models. You can find slots with a small winning potential (x300), but you can also win an incredible amount that is 30,000 times the bet. Yes, it might not be the most generous offer on the market, but it's still quite enjoyable.

Common features of 4 reel slots

While video slots with 4 reels vary in all technical parameters, their features are similar. The most common features developers offer are:

• Free spins allow you to get a round of spins without any cash investment. The most common is a set of 10 spins

• Multiplier is one of the players favorite features. In 4-reel slots, it can increase winnings by up to 10 times

• Bonus game - essentially a game in play. By activating the bonus game, users can obtain additional prizes (free spins, money, multiplier)

• Wild is the most common feature of slots. It helps the symbols to form a winning chain. An important condition for activating a Wild is that it must be placed strictly on the payline

• Scatter is an improved version of Wild because it can be placed anywhere on the playing field and still replace a non-winning symbol.

The availability of bonus features and how they are obtained is always indicated in the payout table.