Revolutionary dual reel system by WMS combines standard and colossal reel sets for unprecedented winning potential
Created by WMS (Williams Interactive), acquired by Scientific Games in 2013, now part of Light & Wonder. Version 1.2.30 represents years of mathematical refinement.
Dual reel configuration: Main set (5 reels x 4 rows) plus Colossal set (5 reels x 12 rows). Total of 100 paylines spanning both reel sets for massive win combinations.
95.94% theoretical return provides medium-high volatility. Maximum payout capped at 250,000.00 per bet. Wins calculated independently on each reel set.
Total bet calculated as lines divided by 2, multiplied by bet per 2 lines. Choose between 20 or 100 active paylines. Adjustable denominations fit all bankrolls.
Stacked Wild symbols on Main reels transform into identical positions on Colossal reels during free spins. This exclusive mechanic creates matched Wild columns across both sets.
Colosseum Feature symbols appear on reels 1, 3, and 5 of both reel sets. Three scatters award 8 free spins at 2x bet. Five or more trigger 20 spins at 20x total bet.
Two distinct reel sets fighting as one - the innovation that revolutionized slot mechanics
Traditional configuration with 5 reels and 4 visible rows. Ornate golden frame with Greek key pattern borders. Light tan parchment background resembles aged papyrus. Wild substitutes appear exclusively on this set, creating strategic positioning for transferred Wilds during bonus rounds.
Towering 12-row configuration creates 60 visible positions per spin. Matching golden frame design maintains visual cohesion. Character overlay featuring gladiator and female warrior adds dramatic depth. Receives transferred Wilds from Main set during free spins, multiplying win potential exponentially.
Each symbol tells a story of Rome's greatest spectacle
Spartacus logo on weathered golden plaque with dimensional metallic lettering. Substitutes all symbols except Colosseum scatter. Appears only on Main reels, stacks vertically.
Iconic Roman amphitheater with detailed stone arches and multiple tiers. Triggers free spins when 3+ appear on reels 1, 3, 5 of both sets.
Gladiator with golden helmet embracing woman in red Roman dress. Muscular warrior holds large sword showing intimate romantic connection.
Bare-chested warrior with ornate helmet and face guard, holding broad silver sword vertically against dark arena setting.
Dark-haired woman in flowing crimson dress with gold trim, holding ornate dagger with intense expression under dramatic lighting.
Dynamic action showing two gladiators engaged in battle, one with sword raised in warm tones with blue accents and arena lighting.
Golden-maned male lion portrait with open mouth showing fangs. Realistic rendering emphasizes power and danger of arena beasts.
Classical Roman helmet with protective face guard, detailed metalwork in bright gold with bronze shadows showing dimensionality.
Crossed weapons in heraldic X-pattern. Silver blade over round bronze shield with decorative patterns symbolizing gladiator combat.
Playing card symbols: cyan-blue Spades, crimson Hearts, purple Clubs, magenta Diamonds on cream parchment squares with bronze borders.
Where legends are forged and fortunes multiplied
Colosseum symbols land exclusively on reels 1, 3, and 5 across both Main and Colossal reel sets. You need minimum 3 scatters total between both sets to trigger. Since scatters can appear on 6 positions simultaneously (3 reels x 2 sets), triggering 5+ scatters occurs more frequently than traditional slots.
3 Scatters: 8 free spins with 2x total bet multiplier
4 Scatters: 12 free spins with 2x total bet multiplier
5+ Scatters: 20 free spins with 20x total bet multiplier - the jackpot trigger that transforms modest bets into massive wins.
This is where Spartacus separates from ordinary slots. When Wild symbols stack on any Main reel (reels 1-5), they instantly transfer to matching positions on the corresponding Colossal reel. If you get stacked Wilds on Main reel 3 covering all 4 positions, Colossal reel 3 receives Wilds in those same 4 row positions out of its 12 rows. This creates synchronized Wild columns across both reel sets, dramatically increasing winning combinations since paylines span both sets.
Feature can retrigger during free spins using the same scatter requirements. Additional spins add to your remaining total rather than restarting the count. This allows for extended bonus sessions where Wild transfers compound across dozens of spins.
With 100 paylines active, each Wild transfer creates win potential across multiple lines simultaneously. A single full-height Wild transfer can participate in 20+ winning combinations when you consider both reel sets calculating wins independently. This multiplicative effect explains why the feature produces the majority of significant wins despite the 95.94% base RTP.
Expert insights from extensive gameplay testing
Spartacus Gladiator of Rome represents WMS's most ambitious mathematical model. The dual reel configuration isn't cosmetic - it fundamentally changes how payline mathematics work. Traditional 5x3 slots calculate wins on a single grid. Here, each reel set evaluates wins independently before summing totals, effectively giving you two simultaneous games with shared bet cost.
The 95.94% RTP distributes unevenly between base game and bonus feature. Base game runs lean around 88-90% theoretical return based on observed sessions, meaning the free spins feature must return approximately 5-7% to reach stated RTP. This creates pronounced volatility swings - extended dead spin runs followed by explosive bonus rounds.
Wild Transfer mechanics during free spins create the highest variance moments. A full Wild transfer on reel 1 or 5 (the anchor reels for payline evaluation) produces more value than middle reel transfers since wins calculate left-to-right. Optimal scenario: Wilds transfer to Colossal reel 1, followed by high-value symbols on subsequent reels creating 4-of-a-kind or 5-of-a-kind combinations across multiple paylines simultaneously.
The 100 payline configuration costs significantly more per spin than 20 payline mode, but hit frequency increases proportionally. With 100 lines active, you'll see winning spins approximately 28-32% of the time in base game. However, individual line wins rarely exceed 10x bet due to payout distribution across so many lines. The game rewards patience - big wins come from accumulating multiple moderate payline hits in single spins, especially during features.
Colosseum scatter positioning on reels 1, 3, 5 only means you can't get scatters on every spin pattern, but since both reel sets independently check for scatters, you're effectively getting double scatter landing opportunities compared to traditional single-grid slots. Feature trigger frequency sits around 1 in 120-150 spins in testing, though variance creates wide deviation ranges.
The 20x multiplier on 5+ scatter triggers represents the maximum win acceleration. Landing 6 scatters (3 on each set) happens approximately 1 in 800-1000 spins and awards the 20-spin/20x combination. During these sessions, Wild transfers on multiple reels can push individual free spins above 200x bet, with total feature wins exceeding 1000x observed in testing.
Bankroll management for Spartacus requires deeper reserves than standard slots due to dual reel bet costs. Budget minimum 200x total bet for meaningful session length. The game punishes short sessions with its volatility profile - extended play (300+ spins) allows variance to normalize closer to theoretical RTP. Dead zones of 50-80 consecutive losing or minimal-win spins occur regularly between bonus triggers.
Symbol distribution analysis reveals WMS weighted the Colossal reels slightly toward lower-paying symbols versus Main reels. This balances the massive position advantage (12 rows vs 4) and prevents the game from becoming too volatile. High-value character symbols appear approximately 40% more frequently on Main reels, making Wild substitutions on that set more valuable for combo completion.