More Aristocrat Slots
Info About the Online 5 Dragons Slot Machine
| Genre | Video Slot |
|---|---|
| Developer | Aristocrat Interactive |
| RTP | 94.86% to 94.98% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Min/Max Bet | $0.25 / $250 |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | REEL POWER (243 ways) |
The 5 Dragons slot is a true classic. It was originally available in Australia, where it was known as a so-called “pokie machine”. In the early 2000s, the machine (Xcite cabinet) also made its way to US casino floors. It turned out to be a success
In my opinion, this is Aristocrat’s flagship Asian/oriental-themed game, even more so than Geisha. Together with the Buffalo slots line, I’d go as far as to label it one of the most iconic Aristocrat games of all time.
The success of this slot has also resulted in a significant number of sequels, including 5 Dragons Gold, Deluxe, Rapid, and many more. Currently, only the classic and Gold versions have an online demo available. These are playable for free, right here on this page.
Why play 5 Dragons for free on CoolOldGames.com?
- No download or registration required, play directly in your browser
- A full-screen mode that works on any device
- Unlimited replays allow you to enjoy the game without pressure
Disclaimer: Cool Old Games is not endorsed by or affiliated with Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd. 5 Dragons™ is a trademark of Aristocrat. All opinions expressed are our own and are provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.
How the Game Works
Before we start, note that most other game descriptions found on the web describe the old online version of 5 Dragons, which is no longer available. The new official online game by Aristocrat Interactive, covered here on Cool Old Games, is a bit different. The most important differences are:
- The RTP on the new version is lower. It ranges from 94.86% to 94.98% instead of 95.17% on the old version.
- The new version has no “gamble feature”.
- The new version is adapted for mobile play.
With that out of the way, the essence of 5 Dragons remains the same. You have 5 reels and 3 rows supported by the All Pays REEL POWER system. This system means that there are no traditional paylines; you always play all 243 ways (which costs 25 coins per spin).
To win, you just need to get matching symbols from left to right, and every possible win is counted and added up:
- If there are multiple ways to win with the same symbol, you get the highest win.
- Different winning combinations can happen at once, and they all add together.
- Scatters and bonus wins are added on top of your regular wins.
Symbols & Paytable
The symbols found in this game are mostly related to Chinese mythology. The most valuable symbols are animals and creatures that symbolize deep philosophical ideas in Chinese culture. They might signify things like power, wealth, prosperity, and longevity. The Golden Koi Fish is a good example.
Although a bit out of place, you also have the classic (poker) card symbols from 9 to Ace. These are extremely common on Aristocrat slot machines and are also the reason why the term “pokies” is commonly used in Australia.
| Symbol | 5 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 3 of a Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Dragon | 1000 | 100 | 50 |
| Golden Lion | 1000 | 100 | 35 |
| Golden Koi Fish | 1000 | 100 | 30 |
| Golden Tortoise | 800 | 50 | 20 |
| Red Packet | 800 | 35 | 15 |
| Ace (A) | 200 | 30 | 10 |
| King (K) | 200 | 20 | 10 |
| Queen (Q) | 100 | 15 | 10 |
| Jack (J) | 100 | 15 | 10 |
| Ten (10) | 100 | 15 | 5 |
| Nine (9) | 100 | 10 | 5 |
| Gold Coin (Scatter) | 1250 | 250 | 125 |
*The values in the above table are multipliers on your selected Coin Size
Wild Symbols – All of the Dragons
All of the colored Dragon symbols are Wilds in this game, meaning that they will substitute for all other symbols, except the Gold Coin.
There are only two things you need to know about the Green Dragon symbol:
- It only appears in the base game (not during the free spins)
- It only shows itself on reels 2, 3, and 5
Scatter Symbol – Gold Coin
Probably the most important symbol in the game. The payouts for three or more of these, from left to right, are the highest in the game. And on top of that, you trigger the bonus feature with them. More about that right below.
The Bonus Feature
This iconic bonus feature is the heart of the game and what it’s all about. It’s literally called the “5 Dragons Feature.” To trigger it, you will need three or more Gold Coin Scatter Symbols on adjacent reels from left to right. When that happens, you will be taken to a separate screen where you can pick your preferred bonus.
There are five options in total. The differences between them are the number of free spins and the available multipliers on your original bet size (the one you triggered the feature with). Below you can find a breakdown:
| Option | Free Games | Multipliers (prize) | Risk-level |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Dragon | 20 | x2, x3, or x5 | Low |
| Red Dragon | 15 | x3, x5, or x8 | Low-Medium |
| Black Dragon | 10 | x5, x8, or x10 | Medium |
| Blue Dragon | 8 | x8, x10, or x15 | Medium-High |
| Yellow Dragon | 5 | x10, x15, or x30 | High |
What I really like about this feature is that you can basically control the volatility yourself. For example, the White Dragon will give you lots of free spins, but comes with relatively low multipliers. Ideal for those wanting to enjoy the feature longer and don’t mind smaller wins.
On the other hand, the Yellow Dragon is for the risk-takers, wanting to test their luck with an all-or-nothing approach. Although the chances are low, this has a potential 30x win, the biggest prize of the game.
The Role of the Red Packet Symbol
During the 5 Dragons Feature, the Red Packet symbol is used differently. The regular payout rules for it no longer apply. Instead, Red Packet symbols appearing anywhere, either on reel 1 or 5, award you a prize of 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 50 (randomly). These wins are multiplied by your total bet size.
Retriggering and Extending the Feature
During the free rounds, you’re also able to re-trigger the feature. You will be able to pick again, and those spins will be added to your remaining total.
The number of 5 Dragon features remaining is based on the number of so-called “Money Pot” symbols (looks like a bag, actually) collected.
How to Play 5 Dragons Slots Online
Step 1: Practice for Free on CoolOldGames.com
To learn how 5 Dragons works, the safest way is to just practice for free online. The demo game on this page allows you to get familiar with the rules and feel of the game. I recommend taking your time to understand if its volatility, mechanics, and features suit you.
Step 2: Pick a Coin Size
While you don’t need to bother with payline configuration, you’ll still need to select a Coin Size. Your Coin Size determines your total bet and how much you can win or lose. The options range from 0.01 to 10 (multiply by 25 for the total bet size). You can select the sizing with the “+’ and “-” buttons.
Experimenting with your bet sizing will help you understand the balance between bankroll management and the excitement of big wins. Remember, you start with 2000 demo credits.
Step 3: Experiment with the Bonus Picks
During my sessions, it was actually not that hard to activate the bonus feature. The demo is ideal for experimenting with the five different options. It will help you understand your risk tolerance, and also which “dragon-pick” makes the game most enjoyable for you.
Step 4: Possibly Play for Real Money Responsibly
If you feel like you’re ready for the next step and want to play 5 Dragons for real, that’s possible. The game is not super easy to find, however. Only a few online casinos in North America have it, and, unfortunately, they don’t accept players from certain US states and countries. There are alternatives, however.
There is really no shortage of Asian and/or dragon-themed games, some with amazing visuals and features. What might be a bit harder to find, though, is a slot with both the same theme AND a similar bonus feature. Either way, I did some digging and found the following alternatives to be most similar to 5 Dragons:
- Dragon Kings by Betsoft
- Cardinal Dragons by Nucleus Gaming
Other cool dragon/Chinese-style slots:
- Dragon Gates by Onlyplay
- Caishen Gold Infinity Dragon by Mancala Gaming
- Fury Dragon by Betsoft
You can also just type in “dragon” in the search bar of your preferred online casino and see what you find.
Important: Online gambling is limited to individuals aged 21 and over in many U.S. states. Be sure to check the laws in your state or country, decide on a spending limit, and play responsibly. If you have a gambling issue (or know someone who does), help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sequels Overview
5 Dragons is one of those franchises that Aristocrat keeps building on, and it works, as the base game is just that appealing. Over the years, more than 10 different versions were released, some more successful than others. What mostly happens is that the graphics and visuals are updated, and one or more new features are added on top of the base game.
The sequels most commonly found in Vegas at the moment are 5 Dragons Gold, Rapid, and one of the newest iterations, 5 Dragons Ultra. Below you can find an overview of all the variants I’m aware of:
| 5 Dragons Slot | Availability | Feature(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Online + Offline | Free Games |
| Deluxe | Offline | Free Games, Extra Bet |
| Gold | Online + Offline | Free Games, Wild Multipliers, Growing Reels |
| Grand | Offline | Jackpot, Bonus Wheel, Free Games |
| Pearl | Offline | Volatility Picker, Special Dragons Wild |
| Rapid | Offline | Free Games, Chest Reels, Jackpot |
| Ultra | Offline | Volatility Picker, Extra Windows |
| Red Edition | Offline | Hold & Spin, Lucky Zone Free Games, Red Envelope Jackpot |
| Yellow Edition | Offline | Hold & Spin, Lucky Zone Free Games, Red Envelope Jackpot |
| Rising Jackpots | Offline | Free Games Volatility Selection, Jackpot, Upgrade Symbols |
| Reign | Offline | Free Games, Respin Feature |
I’m eagerly awaiting potentially new online demo releases by Aristocrat Interactive, especially for the Grand and Rapid versions. Fingers crossed. Once new demo games become available, you can be assured that they will be added to this page.
5 Dragons Gold
This is one of the most successful follow-ups and also one of my personal favorites. It
This is what sets 5 Dragons Gold apart from the classic online version:
- It costs 50 Coins to play, instead of 25.
- Although the base game symbols are the same, the payouts are slightly different.
- There are 8 dragon symbols in total, one of which is gold and acts as both a wild and a multiplier.
- A max multiplier of 40 times your bet.
The free games feature is also different. Instead of 243 ways, you will be playing 576 ways due to extended reels. You will be able to choose between 7(!) different dragons instead of 5.
Try it out for free:
Final Thoughts: Who Is the Free 5 Dragons Slot For?
As already mentioned before, playing the 5 Dragons slot machine for free is ideal for those wanting to practice without pressure. At CoolOldGames.com, you don’t need to download any software, app, or create an account. However, if you’re still undecided, here’s my take:
This slot will suit you if:
- Want to experience one of Aristocrat’s most popular classic slots online
- You’re a fan of Chinese mythology-themed slots
- You like the idea of picking your bonus
Who I wouldn’t recommend it for:
- If you need music and special effects to enjoy a slot
- If you want to configure paylines, the REEL POWER system might not be for you
- You’re looking for cascading reels, jackpots, and other modern slot features
I think this slot has certainly earned its spot as a “Cool Old Game”. The fact that they are still releasing sequels, it’s still on Vegas floors, and people are still playing it to this day, says enough.
What do you think about 5 Dragons? Let us and others know below in the comment section.
