Jackpot Jewels Slots
I had to do a double-take when seeing this slot for the first time. After getting used to Barcrest slots all having the 5 reel, 3 row standard setup – the 7 reels on this game took me by surprise. There are also 4 rows of symbols with 50 win lines in total. Those symbols are stacked on the reels. This slot has big win potential, with 7 on a line bagging you 12500 coins. Smaller wins have an increased probability of landing wins as these count for any 3+ consecutive symbols on the line, and do not need to start from the left hand reel. This often results in multiple wins being totalled after each spin. Add to the mix a ‘high roller’ option, which includes sticky wild symbols, and you’ll see that Jackpot Jewels is no ordinary Barcrest slot.
Design wise, this does look like a live casino slot, rather than one which has been specifically produced for online play. The graphics are bright and bold, though not particularly details. The whole screen is dominated by the 7 reels, with very little room for a background. The symbols are a mix of gems and playing cards symbols. Gems lack the sparkle of some other slots, though can look effective when the stacked reels bring them in big groups. There is a slightly irritating computer noise when the reels spin. Like other Barcrest slots, this game is silent between spins.
Two features are available. First the free spins round, which starts with 10 spins and can be retriggered. Second is optional, a high-roller button which allows you to spin more for extra features.
Setup and Play for Jackpot Jewels
This is a 50 line slot by default, though you can also choose to play in 25 line mode if you wish. Stakes are fixed at 2c per line for the 50 line game, and 4c per line for the 25 line version. You can spin for more using the high-roller option. This gives you 5 spins for a minimum of $20 and up to $500. Each set of 5 spins gives you sticky wild symbols (they stay in place until your 5 spins ends). This gives more wins and also triggers the free spins bonus game more often. Auto-play can be used for up to 25 spins.
Winning combinations are frequent, thanks to the 3+ consecutive symbols in any position on a win-line leading to a win. The biggest pay-outs are huge, 12500 coins for any symbol with 7 of a kind on a line. For 6 or less on a line, the type of symbol starts to matter. Diamonds have the biggest prize – at 6250 for 6 and 1250 coins for 5. Next comes the ruby (5000 coins for 5), and then the emerald which is worth 3750 for 5. Playing cards are the most frequent symbols, and make up a lot of small wins.
If you are playing the high roller version, then the individual wins are smaller. This is to balance the fact that those sticky wilds can mean you generate multiple wins per spin. You’ll end up with plenty of cash when this happens!
There is a special symbol which looks like a jewelled broach. This is the scatter symbol which triggers 10 free spins with 3 anywhere on the reels. It is also wild, substituting for all of the other symbols. A combination of a wild with the ‘any consecutive’ method of locating wins will often create a lot of winning combinations.
Jackpot Jewels Bonus Games
There is a free spins game included in this slot. This is triggered with 3 scatters and is a very simple 10 free spins. These run through very quickly, and your total wins will be accumulated underneath the reels. You can retrigger 10 more spins at a time by hitting the 3+ scatter symbols again. The bonus game keeps playing, and the total spins number (also below the reels) simply goes up. You get a message displaying your total win when this is done, and go back to the regular game.
Jackpot Jewels – Conclusion
It is great to see Barcrest move away from the 5x3 grid and experiment with a different layout. The combination of 7 reels, 4 rows, stacked symbol and wins counting from any position make this a high-action slot. While the graphics are on the plain side, the action is certainly intensive. If you enjoy gems games, and appreciate solid slots game-play, then this is certainly one for your short-list.
