Joker 81 Slots
If you are a video slot fanatic in the market for something with a retro edge, then look no further than Joker 81 by Kajot software. With 4 reels and 7 paylines, this game from the Czech software company offers a perfect compromise between big betting action and vintage slot machine design and is a fitting companion to their Joker 27 slot title.
This does mean that the game is somewhat underwhelming on the bonus feature front, and as such there are no free spins or special side games to break up the standard gameplay. There is, however, a special feature which will temporarily turn the slot into an 81-ways game, not to mention a double or nothing gamble game which allows players to up the ante after every win.
Spinning fruits
On the surface, Joker 81 looks just like any other classic slot machine. The game features an assortment of traditional fruit machine symbols with cherries, oranges, lemons, plums, grapes and watermelons as well as a few other arcade favourites such as golden stars and lucky number 7s. The slot also has a triple BAR icon that doubles up as a “joker” symbol – but we'll talk more about that later.
The only noticeable difference to this slot machine is that it has 4 reels instead of the conventional 3 reels of most other retro slot machines or the 5 reels of video slots. But other than that, the slot machine is fairly pleasing on the eye with its colourful cocktail of two-dimensional fruit symbols. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's not going to hurt your eyes either!
Big betting action
What might blow your mind, however, is the range of payouts that this game has to offer. Because, for such an unassuming and simple slot machine, Joker 81 sure does give bettors a chance to spin up some big wins with an ultimate jackpot worth up to 120,000 credits. The reason for this is perhaps found in the game's wagering options, which allow players to place total bets worth 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 credits per spin. So it's no wonder that the potential returns go so high.
The wins actually start quite at quite a modest rate, with a row of 4 matching cherries or lemons across any of the 7 paylines returning the stake like-for-like with a 1x total bet multiplier. A row of four oranges and plums, on the other hand will give wins worth 2x the total bet while watermelons pay 8x and grapes will pay 10x. Getting higher on the payout schedule and spinners will find that a payline full of stars will multiply their total bets by 12x and lucky 7s will return a prize of 60x the total bet. However, the most lucrative symbol of all in Joker 81 is the Joker icon, offering a win of 120x whenever four align on the reels.
More ways to win...
Remember when we said that we'd talk more about that joker symbol. Well, now is the time. The joker icon of this slot machine is not only the most lucrative icon in terms of payout value when four align on the reels, but it is also very handy in other ways. First of all, this symbol also plays the part of the slot machine's wild icon, meaning that it will fill in for all other symbols to complete winning sequences.
And when the joker appears, it will also give players 81 ways to win instead of the usual 7 paylines. That means that winning formulations can be created when matching symbols appear on each of the 4 reels, regardless of whether they align into a particular pattern. So, whenever this joker appears on the reels, the likelihood is that will award some sort of winning prize!
Double up with a 50/50 gamble
Whenever players win from a spin in the base game, they will have an opportunity to win again with a double or nothing gamble game. After each successful spin a rolling dice will appear, giving players the chance the either “collect” the winnings or gamble it all by guessing whether the dice will land on red or black. An incorrect guess will result in all winnings being lost unless players roll the dice with a blue icon which locks the winnings in the kitty.
A few tricks up its sleeves
Like many classically themed slot machines by Kajot software, Joker 81 has a few tricks up its sleeve to put a different spin on the traditional slot machine formula. There may not be any jaw-dropping graphics or crazy side games, but this 4-reel game is sure to provide some exciting spins thanks to its special joker symbol which offers 81 ways to win while it completes winning sequences.
