Reels are the number of vertical sections that roll with each pull of the lever. One basic way that slot machines are categorized is by the number of reels they have. Traditional casino goers and those online players who would rather just spin the wheels as opposed to being carried off to second-screen bonus events and other fancy slot features will find three reel slots are adequate enough. These games are also often referred to as classic slots. Slot machines traditionally started out as three reel slots.