Mahjong Ways 3+

Mahjong Ways 3+ (5G Games) Review

If you want to try your hand at a truly unusual slot, Mahjong Ways 3+, with its cluster mechanics and 6x4 game grid, is here for you. Released under the 5G Games brand in 2023, it continues to draw crowds at online casinos as it amazingly combines low-medium volatility with huge winning potential expressed in a max multiplier of x100,000. What's more, it has a very high RTP of 97.1%, which is almost on par with European roulette.

So, Mahjong Ways 3+ is a game that eliminates the need to land symbol sequences on traditional paylines. It uses cluster mechanics, with each combo containing 4+ identical icons located next to each other. To play a round, select a bet size from a range of €1 to €600 (may vary depending on jurisdiction and game currency) and start spinning the reels.

Mahjong Ways 3+ Slot - Reels Screen

The game grid features various mahjong tiles. Most often, you will see circles, bamboo, and dots that pay out between x0.02 and x1, depending on the number in the combo. Slightly less often, dragons and winds appear, forming more valuable clusters. Finally, the provider has also added several special icons that trigger free spins and respins to make the game more interesting and potentially more profitable.

Mahjong Ways 3+ Features

If you haven't played slots with cluster combos before, Mahjong Ways 3+ won't let you get bored even in the base game. But thanks to bonus symbols, the game can go far beyond the basic gameplay. Most of the features in this title allow you to accumulate fairly large payout multipliers, which is why they are so desirable for every player.

Cascade Payouts

As mentioned above, you will receive a payout if you can get a cluster of 4 or more matching symbols. But after calculating the winnings for the round, all icons that participated in the combination explode, allowing new symbols to fall into these vacant positions. As a result, this gives you another chance to form a combination, and in theory, this can be repeated indefinitely. The advantage of cascades is that you don't need to place a new bet, as everything happens within a single game round.

Activated Reel

Look at the leftmost reel and you will notice that it is highlighted with a special frame. This reel is activated, which effectively means that any symbols (except for special icons) appearing on it become winning ones. At the same time, symbols adjacent to it horizontally and vertically can join the cluster. This way, you always have a higher chance of forming combos compared to other slots that use the Cluster Pays mechanic.

Dragon Symbol and Respins

Acting as a special symbol, it can only appear on the leftmost (activated) reel. If you see it, all 6 reels will restart, and you will get another chance to form a combo without spending a penny on the bet. Respins continue as long as the Dragon sits on the first reel (or until the cascade potential is exhausted).

Random Multipliers

Above the reels in this game, there is a block that displays the current multiplier applied to the payout. If the first 10 spins are successful (you manage to create at least one cluster), this multiplier can increase randomly, with a maximum of x88. If you hit a dry streak of 10+ rounds, the extra multiplier is reset to its initial value.

Free Spins Bonus

Mahjong Ways 3+ also features Bonus icons, which are responsible for triggering the free spins round. To activate it, you need to land 4 or more Bonus symbols in any position on the playing field. This will give you 10, 12, or 15 free spins (depending on the number of Bonus symbols), with the possibility of restarting the round up to 200 FS in total. The highlight of this bonus is that any cluster is paid out with the addition of a random extra multiplier (taking into account the value of the symbols) up to x1,000.

Mahjong Ways 3+ Slot - Free Spins

Theme & Graphics

Hey, just so you know, this game uses traditional Chinese mahjong tiles as playing symbols. This creates an ancient festival look with mythical images and golden details, which is perfect for a slot machine. Gamblers can see a lovely Oriental landscape in the background, with the shapes of dragons and floating lanterns. Mahjong Ways 3+ might not be the prettiest game out there, but it's got some really nice graphics. And the best thing is, thanks to its mobile optimisation, Mahjong Ways 3+ works great on almost any smartphone or tablet, so you can play it wherever you go.

Mahjong Ways 3+ Free Play

Like many other providers, 5G Games offers the opportunity to test its games without risk, so the Mahjong Ways 3+ free play version is available to everyone. It works exactly the same as the real money game, the only difference being that you cannot cash out your winnings. If you are new to cluster mechanics or simply don't want to take a risk with an unknown title, try the Mahjong Ways 3+ demo game available on SlotCatalog.

Pros & Cons of the Mahjong Ways 3+ Slot

Our Verdict

If you have played Mahjong Ways 3, a high-volatility slot from Play Star released a few months earlier than the hero of this review, then you should try the Mahjong Ways 3+ version. With a simpler game grid and reduced volatility, it is suitable for all types of gamblers, even complete beginners. What's more, 5 Games has significantly increased the winning potential by increasing the maximum multiplier by 100 times compared to Mahjong Ways 3.

We thoroughly tested Mahjong Ways 3+ by playing 100+ rounds at below-average stakes. And to be honest, the low volatility is clearly noticeable here, as small (low-value) clusters appear quite often. The extra multipliers available in the base game save the day by significantly increasing the total prize. But the real thrill here is in the free spins and respins, which are triggered quite rarely. It's a pity, because random multipliers of up to x1,000 lead to impressive payouts.

Since the most promising features in this game are triggered rarely, we recommend playing at a low bet. So, be patient and wait for the Dragon on the first reel and 4+ Bonus symbols anywhere on the playing field to win something really substantial. Overall, Mahjong Ways 3+ is a solid choice, especially if you want to take a break from classic video slots with standard betways.