Locked Reels
What are Locked Reels?
Locked reels are a slot feature where one or more reels, symbols or positions remain fixed while the rest of the game grid continues to spin or respin.
How Locked Reels Work?
When the feature activates, selected parts of the reels are held in place for a set number of spins or until a particular condition is met.
The unlocked reels continue spinning, giving new symbols the opportunity to land alongside those already being held. Depending on the game, locked reels may appear during the base game, free spins or another bonus feature.
Why Locked Reels Matter & Examples
Locked reels change the normal flow of a slot because part of the previous result carries over into the next spin.
For example, a game might lock two reels containing matching symbols while the remaining three reels spin again. Those locked symbols stay in position until the feature ends or the game's conditions are met.
Because the mechanic varies between games, players should check the paytable or game information to see exactly what gets locked and for how long.