This is one of the many classic slot machines that are offered by Microgaming. Called Ruby Reels, the design does include a lot of rubies, both used for one of the symbols and for the background picture. I’m not a huge fan of the amount of red and rubies that are part of the design, but at least it’s something you’re not going to get from any other slot machine, so if precious stones are your thing, Ruby Reels might be as well.
With 3 reels, Ruby Reels makes the most out of that space and gives you 5 win lines to bet on. There is a wild symbol as a feature, but that’s about it. The jackpot is worth $25,000.
Features of Ruby Reels
The game offers a single feature, a wild symbol that is represented by the image of a ruby. This gem is the only one of its kind in this game, capable of substituting for other symbols and hopefully bringing you new wins as a result.
In order for the wild to work properly it has to appear on a payline and in a position where it is needed. What this means is that if you have matching symbols on the 1st and 3rd positions of the line, the wild needs to appear on the 2nd position in order to be able to help. If that happens, the wild takes the same role as the other two icons and the win is awarded. You can also get a new combo with two wilds contributing, in this case both taking the same role as the third symbol, the regular one.
Wilds can offer prizes directly though, and ideally that’s what will happen. The payouts vary, from 1,000 to 5,000 coins, but whatever the value, it will be higher than any other win you could get from regular symbols.
Betting options and jackpots
The betting system is easy enough. You use one coin for each line you want active, and it’s a good idea to use them all since the top jackpot is much more valuable on the later lines. The coins are worth $0.25 at the minimum level, while $5 is the maximum. Wager on all 5 lines, with the maximum line bet, and you get a $25 maximum wager.
With the right combo of three Ruby wilds on the 5th line, you can expect a 5,000 coins payout, meaning $25,000 cash.
Design and symbols
The design would be the one thing that could set this game apart, give it a chance in the sea of classic slots that offer exactly the same game experience. It doesn’t do anything of the sort. It’s a rather boring game, with a lot of red in it, the color being used in the paytable, the ruby symbols, the border of the reels and the background. There is way too much red in the game, and it doesn’t manage to make it pleasant.
Symbols: Red Ruby (5,000 coins, wild), Blue 7 (80 coins), Three Bar (60 coins), Two Bar (40 coins) and One Bar (10 coins).
Is It Worth Playing?
There isn’t one thing that would be considered impressive or interesting about this game. Unless you enjoy slots built around precious stones, I’d go for one of the other slots with a similar layout and features, but with a better design.
Ruby Reels can be found at any Microgaming casino, where you get a chance to play it for real money or in free mode.
