Ever since the advent of video slots, online casino players have seen the reels set in a rectangular matrix with the five columns representing the reels and three to five rows of symbols laid out horizontally across the reels. Recently the leading software supplier WagerWorks has released two slots games that are in a hexagonal format. These are titled Siberian Storm and Fire Opals. They embody different themes but are structured identically. IGT, which owns WagerWorks, has been running these two titles as land based slot machines.

The hexagonal format is achieved in an ingenious way. The first and fifth reels have three spots. The second and fourth reels have four spots. The third reel has five spots. The spots do not appear as horizontal rows but are staggered to give the hexagonal structure, which is a visual treat. To avoid complicated payline structures, WagerWorks has done away with paylines completely. Both the hexagonal online slots are all pays, or Multiway Extra as per WagerWorks nomenclature.

All ways video slots with three rows of symbols across the reels offer 243 ways to win. Those with four rows across the reels offer 1025 ways to win and those with five rows offer 3125 ways to win. But these WagerWorks hexagonal slots offer 720 ways to win because of their unique structure. This seems to be a perfect compromise giving considerably more ways to win than 243, but not requiring the high stakes demanded by 1024 ways to win. The wager is fixed at 50 coins per spin. The coin denomination varies from 1.00 to 100.00. Therefore the maximum bet per spin can go up to 5000.00 credits.

Both Siberian Storm and Fire Opals offer a host of identical but exciting features. The wins pay in both directions, left to right and right to left, leading to even more frequent payouts. The scatter symbol offers scatter payouts in the usual manner. The wild symbol appears stacked on the reels. Usually wild stacks appearing on the fourth and fifth reels are ineffective, but because wins pay both ways in these WagerWorks hexagonal slots the stacked wilds provide a bonanza wherever they appear.

The Free Spins Bonus is triggered by getting a Bonus symbol in any position on all five reels. Siberian Storm starts with 8 free spins, whereas Fire Opals starts with 10 free spins. The Free Spins Bonus reels are super rich offering more stacked wilds. Stacked Bonus symbols during the free spins can retrigger the round multiple times.

Both these slot games represent awesome beauty in a way. Siberian Storm features the Siberian white tiger in all its power and glory. Close ups of the head and full length side views form symbols on the reels. The fear striking eye is the bonus symbol and a number of ornaments made from its claws are also displayed. Fire Opals depicts the ominous burst of lava from South Sea volcanoes. It is in this fiery environment that the opals are formed. The girls and exotic blooms of the area also find a place on the reels. The background music in both the hexagonal slot games does justice to the themes. Siberian Storm and Fire Opals are available from the WagerWorks remote gaming server. They are already live at online casinos like Virgin Casino.