Aristocrat • Reel-Height Persistence
Count the HEIGHT of reels 2, 3, and 4. Calculate WAYS TO WIN. Only play at ≥3,136 ways!
Ways = 4 × R2 × R3 × R4 × 4
≥3,136 ways = PLAY
Super Stampede visible? Can play at ≥2,688 ways
<3,136 ways = SKIP (no exceptions)
This is your binary decision: at or above = sit down. Below = walk away.
If you see SUPER STAMPEDE above reel 2 or 4:
More aggressive threshold — based on limited data, higher variance.
⚠️ Only use this lower threshold if you're comfortable with extra variance!
Reels 1 & 5: Fixed at 4 symbols tall (never change)
Reels 2, 3, 4: Can grow from 4 to 7 symbols tall
Purple arrow lands: Increases that reel's height by 1
Reel reaches 7 + gets arrow: Triggers award above, reel resets to 4
Above Reels 2 & 4: Bonus awards (Free Games, Stampede, Super Stampede)
Above Reel 3: Progressive jackpot (golden arrow triggers)
Reel heights persist between players until triggered!
Example: A playable state (4-7-7-4-4 = 3,136 ways)
☝️ 3,136 ways = PLAY! Two 7-high reels hits the threshold exactly.
| R2 | R3 | R4 | Ways | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 1,024 | SKIP |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 2,000 | SKIP |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 3,456 | PLAY ✓ |
| 7 | 7 | 4 | 3,136 | PLAY ✓ |
| 7 | 4 | 7 | 3,136 | PLAY ✓ |
| 4 | 7 | 7 | 3,136 | PLAY ✓ |
| 7 | 7 | 5 | 3,920 | PLAY ✓ |
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 4,704 | PLAY ✓ |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 5,488 | PLAY ✓✓ |
| 6 | 7 | 5 | 3,360 | PLAY ✓ |
| 5 | 7 | 6 | 3,360 | PLAY ✓ |
| 6 | 5 | 6 | 2,880 | SKIP |
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 2,880 | SKIP |
💡 Quick rule: Two 7s among reels 2-4 = almost always playable. All 6s = playable. Anything less = usually skip.
Reel 2: Free Games, Stampede, or Super Stampede
Reel 3: Progressive jackpot (golden arrow triggers)
Reel 4: Free Games, Stampede, or Super Stampede
Trigger: Reel at 7 high + receives arrow = award fires, reel resets
💡 Super Stampede is the premium bonus — justifies the lower 2,688 threshold!
| Condition | Action |
|---|---|
| Ways ≥ 3,136 | PLAY ✓ |
| Ways ≥ 2,688 + Super Stampede visible | PLAY ✓ (aggressive) |
| Ways 2,688–3,135, no Super Stampede | SKIP ✗ |
| Ways < 2,688 | SKIP ✗ |
| Fresh machine (4-4-4 = 1,024 ways) | SKIP ✗ |
Extremely high variance — like Hexbreak3r
Even good states can brick many spins
Stampede/Super Stampede bonuses can whiff
Treat this as binary: at threshold = play, below = ignore
⚠️ This is NOT a steady grind game. Expect wild swings. Good states still lose sometimes!
Both: Reel-height / ways-to-win persistence
Both: Binary play decision based on ways threshold
Both: Extremely high variance
Both: Reels grow and persist until triggered
Difference: Buffalo has awards above reels, Hex has expanding reels
Manufacturer: Aristocrat
Type: Reel-height persistence (ways-to-win AP)
Reels 1 & 5: Fixed at 4 symbols
Reels 2-4: Variable 4-7 symbols (persistent)
Ways range: 1,024 (fresh) to 5,488 (all maxed)
Part of: Buffalo slot family (popular brand)
Reel at 7 + arrow lands → Award triggers, THAT reel resets to 4
Only the triggered reel resets — others stay tall!
Reel 3 needs GOLDEN arrow for progressive
Reels 2 & 4 need purple arrow when at 7
💡 If reel 2 triggers and resets, reels 3 & 4 stay at their current height. Re-calculate ways!
Look for tall reels: Visually obvious — count the rows
Two 7-high reels: Usually playable
Check bonus type: Super Stampede = lower threshold OK
Buffalo brand is popular: May have competition
Calculate quickly: Memorize common configs from chart
4-4-4: 1,024 (skip — fresh)
7-7-4: 3,136 (play — exactly at threshold)
7-7-7: 5,488 (play — max ways)
6-6-6: 3,456 (play — all sixes works)
5-5-5: 2,000 (skip)
💡 Shortcut: See two 7s? Almost certainly playable. Do the math to confirm.
✅ ≥3,136 ways = PLAY (primary threshold)
✅ ≥2,688 ways + Super Stampede = PLAY (aggressive)
✅ Reel heights persist until that reel triggers
✅ Only the triggered reel resets — others stay
❌ <3,136 ways = SKIP (no negotiation)
❌ High variance — don't expect steady wins