Mermaid Reef is a ReelPlay pokie that keeps the setup simple, then adds choice through two scatter features and a gamble option. You get 5 reels, 10 fixed paylines, stacked Mermaid Wilds, Free Spins with doubled wins, and a pick-style Pearl Bonus where one wrong clam can end the round.
last updated 5 June 2026
Mermaid Reef Pokie Review
Sea-Themed
Fairytale-Themed
Animals-Themed
Quick Facts
RTP
95.9%
Volatility
High
Provider
Reel Play
Min Bet
AU$0.10
Max Bet
AU$100
Max Win
1,295x
Free spins
Bonus game
Wild symbol
Scatter Symbol
Multiplier
Symbol Stacked
Jackpot Game
Slot reels
5
Slot lines
10 fixed paylines
Release Date
2020
Page contents
- Game Overview
- Game Features & Mechanics
- Technical Specifications
- Paytable & Symbol Values
- Graphics, Animations & Sound Design
- Game Gallery
- Mermaid Reef on Mobile Devices and Other Platforms
- How Mermaid Reef Compare to Similar Pokies?
- About ReelPlay — The Developer Behind the Game
- Final Verdict
- Last Pokie Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
Game Overview
Mermaid Reef is a 5x3 video slot from ReelPlay with 10 fixed paylines and wins paid from left to right. The main RTP is 95.92%, while the Feature Buy version may use a slightly different RTP build. Volatility sits around medium-high, which matches the game better than a low-risk label would. The base game is clean: regular sea-life symbols, card royals, and a Mermaid Wild on the middle reels. The real split comes from the two scatters. Pearl symbols bring Free Spins with doubled wins, while Clam symbols open the Pearl Bonus pick round. Our take is simple: Mermaid Reef works best for players who want an easy reel set but still want decisions through Feature Buy and Gamble.
Game Features & Mechanics
-
Fixed Paylines
The slot uses 10 fixed paylines across 5 reels and 3 rows. Wins need 3 or more matching symbols from the leftmost reel.
-
Free Spins
Landing 3, 4, or 5 Pearl scatters triggers 10, 15, or 20 Free Spins. All wins during the feature are multiplied by 2x.
-
Pearl Bonus
Three Clam scatters trigger a pick round with 15 closed clams. Pearl colours reveal different bet multipliers, and a black pearl ends the feature.
-
Feature Buy
Where available, Feature Buy skips the Clam hunt and triggers the Pearl Bonus directly. The listed cost is 55x the current total bet.
Technical Specifications
-
Volatility Level
Mermaid Reef is classed as medium-high volatility. That means the base game can stay quiet, while the better results sit around bonuses and gamble decisions.
-
RTP Explained
The standard RTP is 95.92%. Feature Buy may run at 96.06% in some versions, so the in-game help screen is worth checking.
-
Bet Range
The usual bet range runs from $0.10 to $100 per spin. The format stays fixed, so changing stake size does not change paylines.
Paytable & Symbol Values
Mermaid Reef uses a clear regular paytable, with 9 and 10 at the bottom and Dolphin at the top. The low symbols pay from 5x to 50x the line stake for 9 and 10, then from 10x to 100x for J and Q. K and A pay better, with 15x for 3, 50x for 4, and 200x for 5. The sea-life symbols carry the stronger regular values. Jellyfish pays up to 300x, Starfish up to 400x, and Clown Fish up to 500x the line stake. Dolphin is the best standard symbol, paying 50x for 3, 200x for 4, and 1,000x for 5 on an active line.
Special Symbols
Mermaid Wild
The Mermaid is the Wild symbol. It appears on reels 2, 3, and 4, substitutes for all paying symbols, and does not replace Pearl or Clam scatters.
Pearl Scatter
The Pearl is the Free Spins scatter. Landing 3, 4, or 5 Pearls anywhere in view awards 10, 15, or 20 Free Spins.
Clam Scatter
The Clam scatter triggers the Pearl Bonus when all 3 middle reels show it. It is separate from the Pearl and does not trigger Free Spins.
White Pearl
White Pearls appear inside the Pearl Bonus and reveal smaller bet multipliers. They keep the pick round alive unless the stopping condition arrives elsewhere.
Gold Pearl
The Gold Pearl is the best Pearl Bonus reveal. It can award a much stronger multiplier, with values reaching up to 1,000x the bet.
Black Pearl
The Black Pearl is the danger pick. It can still reveal a value, but it ends the Pearl Bonus when selected.
Gamble Card
The Gamble feature appears after a win. Choosing the correct colour doubles the win, while choosing the correct suit can quadruple it.
Graphics, Animations & Sound Design
-
Graphics
Mermaid Reef uses a bright underwater scene rather than a dark deep-sea look. The reels sit between coral, plants, bubbles, and sea creatures. It is not crowded, which helps because the Pearl and Clam scatters need to stand out quickly.
-
Animations
The animation work is strongest when feature symbols land. The Mermaid Wild has more presence than the regular symbols, while the Pearl Bonus changes the screen completely. That switch helps the pick round feel separate from standard reel play.
-
Sound Design
The sound design leans calm and ocean-themed, with soft background music and aquatic effects around spins. It gives the game a relaxed pace, though the bigger interest still comes from scatters and bonus choices.
-
Visual Feel & Interactivity
The interface is straightforward, and that suits the game. Free Spins are simple to track, while the Pearl Bonus adds the most interaction. The Gamble option also changes the feel after wins because collecting is not the only route.
Game Gallery
Mermaid Reef on Mobile Devices and Other Platforms
Mermaid Reef works well on mobile because the slot is not trying to squeeze a large reel system onto a small screen. The 5x3 grid stays readable, and the 10 paylines keep the base game tidy. The main thing to watch is the bonus state. Pearl scatters and Clam scatters look similar in importance but lead to different features, so the symbol distinction matters on smaller displays. The Pearl Bonus is comfortable on touch screens because it uses direct picks from closed clams. Desktop still gives the clearest view of the reef background, paytable, and gamble screen, but mobile play does not feel compromised. We find the layout better suited to casual sessions than to heavy feature tracking.
-
Android
Android handles Mermaid Reef cleanly. The fixed 5x3 layout is easy to read, and the Pearl Bonus works naturally with touch controls.
-
iOS
iOS is a good match for normal spins and bonus picks. Check the Feature Buy button carefully before tapping on smaller screens.
-
Tablet
Tablet is the best mobile-style option. It gives the Pearl Bonus more room and makes the two scatter symbols easier to separate.
-
Desktop
Desktop gives the clearest full view. It is especially useful for checking the paytable, Gamble screen, and Feature Buy information before play.
Optimal Gameplay Tips
-
Use Stable Connection
EssentialA stable connection matters most during Pearl Bonus, Feature Buy, and Gamble rounds. Those are the moments where interrupted states can cause confusion.
-
Landscape Mode Recommended
RecommendedLandscape view gives the reels more room and makes the Mermaid Wild easier to read when it lands across the middle reels.
-
Audio Settings
OptionalThe soundtrack in Mermaid Reef is relaxed, so set audio where it suits the session. The game remains easy to follow visually without relying on sound.
-
Full Screen Mode
RecommendedFull screen helps on mobile and tablet. It makes Pearl and Clam scatters clearer and reduces accidental taps around the Feature Buy area.
How Mermaid Reef Compare to Similar Pokies?
Mermaid Reef
Reel Play
95.9%
High
0.10
Wild Mining XXXtreme
NetEnt
96.0%
High
0.20
Book of Juno
Gamomat
96.1%
High
0.10
Wolf Run
IGT
95.0%
Medium
0.01
Razor Returns
Push Gaming
96.5%
High
0.10
About ReelPlay — The Developer Behind the Game
ReelPlay is a Sydney-based slot studio that started as Chance Interactive before rebranding to ReelPlay in 2019. The provider is best known for Infinity Reels, a mechanic that made the company stand out in a crowded market. Mermaid Reef comes from a different side of ReelPlay. Instead of building around expanding reels or a complex engine, it uses a classic reel shape and puts the extra weight into bonus access, Wild coverage, and gamble decisions.
That makes the game feel more stripped back than some of the studio’s bigger releases. The useful part is that Mermaid Reef does not ask the player to learn much before the features start making sense. Pearls mean Free Spins. Clams mean Pearl Bonus. The Mermaid helps line wins. Gamble lets you push a payout. We think that clarity is the reason the game still has a place: it is ReelPlay without the larger mechanical layer.
-
Sydney Studio
ReelPlay is based in Sydney, which gives the provider a natural link to Australian-facing casino audiences and local pokie language.
-
Infinity Reels Name
The studio is closely tied to Infinity Reels, but Mermaid Reef shows it can also build around a simpler reel format.
-
Feature-Led Design
ReelPlay often gives games a clear feature identity. Here, that identity comes from two scatters, Feature Buy, and Gamble.
Final Verdict
Why It’s Worth Playing
- The two scatter symbols give Free Spins and Pearl Bonus separate roles instead of one shared bonus path
- Mermaid Wilds can cover multiple visible positions on reels 2, 3, and 4
- Free Spins are easy to understand, with all wins paid at a 2x multiplier
- Pearl Bonus adds direct interaction through clam picks and different pearl prize values
- Feature Buy and Gamble give extra control where those options are available
Things to Consider
- The base game is fairly simple when scatters and Mermaid Wilds do not appear
- Gamble can remove the full win, so it is not a harmless add-on
- Feature Buy availability depends on market rules and should be checked in the live game
Overall Rating
7.7
Bottom Line
Mermaid Reef is a clean ReelPlay pokie with a better feature set than the simple 10-line layout first suggests. The base game is not packed with constant modifiers, but the Mermaid Wild gives it some help across the middle reels. The real interest sits in the split between Pearl scatters and Clam scatters. One route gives Free Spins with doubled wins, the other opens the Pearl Bonus pick round. Add Feature Buy and Gamble, and the game becomes more flexible than a standard reef-themed slot. We would point it at players who want simple reels with a few proper decisions attached.
Last Pokie Reviews
Provider: Nolimit City
RTP: 96.1%
Volatility: High
Release Date: 2025
Provider: GameArt
RTP: 96.0%
Volatility: Low
Release Date: 2016
Provider: Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.5%
Volatility: High
Release Date: 2022
Provider: Big Time Gaming
RTP: 95.7%
Volatility: High
Release Date: 2017
Provider: Nolimit City
RTP: 96.1%
Volatility: High
Release Date: 2021
Provider: Red Tiger
RTP: 96.1%
Volatility: High
Release Date: 2025
Emergency Help
If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide,
seek immediate help or call 000 for emergency services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you trigger Free Spins in Mermaid Reef?
Free Spins trigger when 3, 4, or 5 Pearl scatters land anywhere in view. They award 10, 15, or 20 Free Spins, with all wins multiplied by 2x.
What does the Clam symbol do?
The Clam is the Pearl Bonus scatter. Landing 3 Clams on the middle reels opens a pick round with 15 closed clams and hidden pearl prizes.
Does Mermaid Reef have Feature Buy?
Yes, Mermaid Reef has Feature Buy where allowed. It triggers the Pearl Bonus directly and is listed at 55x the current total bet.
What does the Gamble feature do?
After a win, the Gamble feature lets you risk the payout. A correct colour pick doubles it, while a correct suit pick can pay 4x.
Can Mermaid Reef Free Spins be retriggered?
Yes. Extra Pearl scatters can retrigger the Free Spins round. The same scatter rules apply, so more Pearls can add another set of free games during the feature.
Can't find the answer to your question?
Contact responsible gaming specialists or casino support. Remember:
it's better to ask questions than to play without understanding.