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Info About the Online Pompeii Slot Machine
| Genre | Video Slot |
|---|---|
| Developer | Aristocrat Interactive |
| RTP | 94.02% |
| Volatility | High |
| Min/Max Bet | $0.25 / $100 |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | REEL POWER |
Pompeii is one of the older Aristocrat classics, with the original land-based machine going back more than 20 years. The exact version of the game you will find in almost every Vegas casino nowadays is Pompeii Rising Jackpots. There also exists a High-Limit version.
Theme-wise, this is textbook ancient Rome stuff: taking you back to 79 AD when Vesuvius erupted and caused a major catastrophe in the Campania region of Southern Italy.
If the theme isn’t already enough reason to play, you can count on the tried-and-tested Reel Power and free games feature combo. If you already like other Reel Power slots such as 5 Dragons, Wicked Winnings 2, or Wings Over Olympus, this one will probably feel familiar quite quickly.
Ready to experience the game right away? Here at CoolOldGames.com, you can play the online Pompeii slot completely for free. No download, no registration, and unlimited demo credits.
Disclaimer: Cool Old Games is not endorsed by or affiliated with Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd. Pompeii™ is a trademark of Aristocrat. All opinions expressed are our own and are provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.
How this Slot Works: Game Mechanics
The online version keeps that familiar old-school feel, but the setup is simpler than the original land-based cabinet. Online, the reel configuration is fixed, so you are not choosing the number of reels before spinning.
Pompeii uses the Reel Power format on a 5×3 grid, where every spin costs 25 coins. That means your total bet is always 25 times the Coin Size you choose while playing 243 ways.
Wins start on the leftmost reel and pay from left to right across adjacent reels. Winning symbols can appear anywhere, multiple wins can be added together, and scatter wins are added on top of the regular Reel Power wins. At the same time, only the highest win per combination is paid, and each symbol can only be used once in a combination.
The above sounds more technical than it feels. After a few spins, Pompeii is actually very easy to follow.
Symbols & Payouts
The red and gold dolphins amulet is the top-paying regular symbol, followed by the helmet. The lower-paying end is made up of the card ranks, like any true classic Aristocrat pokie. You can find all of the symbols and their payouts below:
| Symbol | 5 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 3 of a Kind | 2 of a Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | 2400 | 1000 | 500 | – |
| Helmet | 2000 | 500 | 100 | – |
| Armour | 1000 | 200 | 100 | – |
| Chariot | 1000 | 100 | 50 | – |
| Ace (A) | 200 | 100 | 20 | – |
| King (K) | 200 | 50 | 15 | – |
| Queen (Q) | 100 | 20 | 10 | – |
| Jack (J) | 100 | 20 | 10 | – |
| Ten (10) | 100 | 20 | 10 | 5 |
| Nine (9) | 100 | 20 | 10 | 5 |
| Gold Coin (Scatter) | 1250 | 500 | 125 | – |
*All wins are multiplied by the active coin size.
Wild Symbol – Volcano
The wild symbol is the volcano. It substitutes for everything, including scatters, and it only appears on reels 2 and 4. That matters a lot once the bonus starts, because those two reels are where the feature gets its multiplier punch. More about that below.
How the Bonus Feature Works
The free games feature is clearly the part you want to activate.
- Three scatters award 10 free games
- Four scatters award 15 free games
- Five scatters award 20 free games
The feature can retrigger, too, which always helps in a game where the bonus is doing most of the heavy lifting.
Multipliers
What makes the feature worth chasing is the multiplier setup. During free games:
- A Volcano wild on reel 2 applies a 3x multiplier.
- A wild on reel 4 applies a 5x multiplier.
- If wilds land on both reels 2 and 4 in the same winning combination, that jumps to 15x.
The multipliers are really what make this slot special.
In the base game, Pompeii feels fairly plain to me. Not bad, just a little one-paced. During free games, it becomes much more interesting.
RTP & Volatility
Pompeii’s RTP is 94.02%, which is low. It is also one of the lower RTP figures among Aristocrat Interactive’s online slots catalog. So from a pure long-term value point of view, there are stronger options out there.
I would categorize this as a high volatility slot (maybe medium-high). This is because the game feels very feature-dependent to me. The regular game can chip in with some wins, sure, but the multiplier wilds in the free spins rounds are where the potential winnings really accelerate.
How to Play Pompeii Slots Online
Step 1: Try Pompeii for Free on Cool Old Games
The recommended way to get started is by trying the free version in your browser. That gives you time to learn the Reel Power setup, understand how the scatters work, and get a feel for the multiplier wilds without risking anything.
It is also ideal if you just want to practice from home, on any device, without downloads or account creation. Just press the “Play for Free” button and the game will start. An extra tip is to use Cool Old Games’ full-screen option for a clearer view of the reels.
Step 2: Choose a Coin Size That Fits Your Session
Since every spin costs 25 coins, the main choice is your Coin Size. If you keep it modest, you give yourself more time to settle into the game and wait for the free spins feature. If you jump too high too quickly, the balance (2000 credits) can disappear faster than expected, especially if the bonus takes its time.
Coin sizes range from 0.01 to 4, which puts the bet range between $0.25 and $100 per spin. For me, that is a pretty decent spread for a game this straightforward. It gives casual players room to practice, but still leaves enough range for riskier gameplay.
Step 3: Use the Demo to Hunt for the Free Games
This is the main game-specific advice I would give. The regular game is fine, but the feature is what gives Pompeii its most explosive moments (pun intended). The 3x, 5x, and 15x wild multipliers are the reason to stick around. Demo-play is the ideal way to hunt for the bonus feature.
Similar to most other online Aristocrat Interactive slots, there is no Auto Play option. So, prepare for a lot of clicking/tapping until you trigger the free spins
Step 4: Consider Playing Pompeii for Real Money
If you really like the demo and understand the game mechanics, you could consider playing at an online casino. That’s quite straightforward: sign up, make a deposit, and search for the game in the slot lobby.
This exact Pompeii slot, unfortunately, is not available everywhere… But that does not mean the volcano is erupting 😉 Other Ancient Rome-style slots can offer a similar feel, and some of them offer more features and modern visuals.
Some alternatives with wider availability:
- Battle of Rome by Arrows Edge
- Gladiator by Betsoft
- Glory of Rome by Habanero
You can also use the search feature in your preferred online casino to search for anything “Rome” related.
Remember: Only play if you are of legal age (21+ in most US states), online gambling is legal in your jurisdiction, and you know how to play responsibly. If you’re struggling, reach out to 1-800-GAMBLER for support.
My Analysis: Who Is the Free Pompeii Slot For?
Who I think it’s for:
- Ancient Rome enjoyers
- Fans of older Aristocrat classics with Reel Power
- People who like one clear feature to chase
- Anyone who enjoys multiplier-based free spins
This game might not be your thing if:
- You want an industry-average or higher RTP
- You need more going on in the base game
- You prefer modern slots with more layers and side features
For me, Pompeii is one of those slots where the bonus round does most of the selling. If that sounds fine to you, trying it for free is the obvious first step. Does this older Aristocrat classic still click for you? Let us know in the comments below!
