Western Belles Slot Review

At the mention of the Wild West most people would immediately think of cowboys and outlaws; in most cases slot developers have relied on images of sharpshooters and gunslingers to portray this, but IGT has re-invented the theme in its video slot named Western Belles, to focus on a more beautiful theme.

The stars here are western beauties, cowgirls if you will, scarcely dressed and ready to have fun. These ladies have inhabited the frontier towns in the mentioned period and were in charge of entertainment in saloons and bars. That must have been a pretty sight to behold!

It doesn’t look bad either from this side of the screen: the background shows a prairie landscape and the reels are framed in wood. An appropriate old-timey feel dominates the gameplay and there are some authentic theme-fitting sounds to be heard as well. IGT has adopted a convenient 5x4 reel structure and it seems to work well in Western Belles. The playing card symbols which, as per usual, denominate lower values are drawn in a suitable font, like something you’d see on a ‘Wanted’ poster.

Real Money Payouts

The game’s theoretical RTP circles between 92.85% and 96.33%. Who knows, perhaps surrounding yourself with lovely young cowgirls can bring you more luck than you can imagine.

The higher value symbols are a boot, a cowboy hat and two girls striking a pose much like 1940s pin-up girls would. A big red lipstick mark is the Wild card, and the Scatter is easily recognised as it has the word ‘Bonus’ written on it. IGT’s Western Belles is a 40-line slot machine but it offers the possibility of playing with Wild Reels and that enhances its potential considerably. By setting the size of your total bet you activate or deactivate the Wild Reels feature built into the game. You can also make use of the Autospin feature, but there is no Gamble option available as in some notable IGT slots.

Activate all 40 lines and you’ll secure stacked Wilds on one of the columns. The pleasure of having Wild Reels on each spin costs extra money, but if you’re lucky it should pay off to risk some cash for a good return. You can’t choose which reel becomes Wild, as it happens randomly on each spin.

The main feature in Western Belles is the Free Spins (no surprise there). You get 5 freebies for landing the Bonus Scatter on the three middle reels, which doesn’t sound impressive from the get go. However, the frequency of stacked Wilds increases during free spins, and the action may even be doubled if you’ve activated Wild Reels previously. Also, the free spins can be re-triggered and, in theory, one may win up to 255 free plays.

Most players advise caution with the Wild Reel feature - it’s a lot of fun and it makes the game more dynamic, but the fact of the matter is it’s a rather expensive feature. Use it carefully and only if you can afford it. As for the free spins, you don’t have to play the max number of paylines; the chances are equal of triggering the round with 1 active paying line or all 40.

We’d say Western Belles targets more experienced players as it requires some complex money management. Beginners are free to try it out if free mode at online IGT-powered casino sites and then switch to real play once they feel more confident about their betting decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RTP of Western Belles?

Western Belles has a return to player (RTP) ranging from 92.85% to 96.33% depending on the game configuration. The lower end is notably below the 96% industry standard. Players using the Wild Reels feature can access more favourable configurations, but this comes at additional cost per spin – making bankroll management an important consideration.

Can I play Western Belles for real money?

Yes, Western Belles is available as a real money slot at online casinos carrying IGT content. The game features 40 adjustable paylines on a 5x4 grid, with the optional Wild Reels feature activated by betting at higher stake levels. Free spins can be triggered regardless of how many paylines are active.

What is the theme of Western Belles?

Western Belles is an IGT slot set in the American Wild West, but with an unconventional focus on the female entertainers of frontier saloons rather than the typical gunslinger imagery. The reels feature pin-up style cowgirls, a cowboy hat, a boot and classic Western playing card symbols in a Wanted poster-style font.

How does the Wild Reels feature work in Western Belles?

The Wild Reels feature in Western Belles is activated by betting at higher stake levels. When active, one reel is randomly selected on each spin to become entirely Wild through stacked Wild symbols. Players cannot choose which reel turns Wild, but having a full Wild reel on every spin significantly increases the frequency and size of winning combinations.

How do free spins work in Western Belles?

Five free spins are triggered by landing the Bonus Scatter on the three middle reels. During the feature the frequency of stacked Wilds is increased, and if Wild Reels was active before the trigger, the effect can be doubled during free play. The feature is re-triggerable, and up to 255 free spins can be accumulated across repeated retriggers in a single session.

Is Western Belles suitable for beginner players?

Western Belles is best suited to more experienced players due to its complex betting structure, adjustable Wild Reels feature and variable RTP range. Beginners are advised to try the free demo mode first to understand how the Wild Reels activation works before switching to real money play. The free spins feature can be triggered regardless of stake level, however, so lower bets are a viable starting point.