5 Lions Dance Slot Review — Free Demo & Lion Reel Bonus
5 Lions Dance came out in October 2020 and it's still one of the more interesting Pragmatic Play releases from that era. Not because it's flashy — it isn't — but because it does something none of the other 5 Lions slots do: two completely separate bonus triggers. The Lion Reel Bonus hits reels 1–2 and spits out a multiplier from 5× to 200× your bet, instantly. No free spin countdown, no waiting — just a reel merge and a payout. RTP sits at 96.5% on the standard setting, volatility is medium (3/5), and you can try the demo on this page without creating an account.
The other bonus — free spins with symbol transformation — is where the bigger swings happen. After every winning spin, all lion heads on screen flip to one randomly picked lion and the payout gets recalculated. It sounds simple, but on a 1,024-way grid with five different lion values, the difference between "golden lion transformation" and "green lion transformation" can be 5× the payout for the exact same spin. That randomness is what makes the bonus genuinely exciting rather than just spin-and-watch.
If you've come from the original 5 Lions expecting Wild multipliers and 7 free spin choices — Dance is a different animal. Lower ceiling (2,700× vs 3,520×), softer variance, and the Lion Reel filling in where the Wild used to do the work. Whether that's better or worse depends entirely on how you like to play.
Review based on 41,317 tracked spins (SlotTracker public data), Pragmatic Play documentation, and personal real-money sessions.
Slot Specifications at a Glance
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Release Date | 2020 |
| RTP | 96.5% / 95.50% / 94.50% |
| Volatility | Medium (3/5) |
| Max Win | 2,700× stake |
| Ways to Win | 1,024 (always active) |
| Reels × Rows | 5 × 4 |
| Min Bet | from $0.20 |
| Max Bet | up to $100 |
| Bonus Buy | No |
| Ante Bet | No |
| Wild — position | Reels 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Scatter — position | Reels 1, 2, 3 |
| Lion Reel — position | Reels 3, 4, 5 |
| Free Spins | 10 spins + unlimited retrigger |
| Hit Frequency | ~21.6% (1 in 4.6) |
| Mobile | Yes (browser) |
5 Lions Dance Free Demo — Play Without Registration
The 5 Lions Dance demo runs on the same engine as the real-money version — both bonuses work, the full paytable is identical, and there's no time limit. Worth doing before you put real money in, because this slot plays differently to most Pragmatic releases and a bit of demo time saves a lot of confusion mid-session.
What to Actually Pay Attention to in Demo
1. How often does Lion Reel come up? Most players expect it more frequently than it is. It triggers more than free spins do, but that still means you could go 100+ spins between hits. In demo you'll get a realistic feel for this without it costing you anything. And when it does land — note the multiplier. The 5×–25× range is where the vast majority fall.
2. Trigger free spins and watch the transformation closely. The first time you see it you'll probably think "that's it?" — especially if only 2–3 lions are showing. The second time, with 8 lions on screen turning golden, you'll understand why people come back to this slot.
3. Watch how your demo balance moves. Medium volatility means slow drain in base game, occasional bumps from Lion Reel, big swings only in free spins. If you hate that rhythm — the original 5 Lions or Megaways will suit you better. Figuring this out in demo is free.
4. 50–100 spins is enough. You'll see at least one Lion Reel, probably get a feel for the base game pacing, and ideally catch one free spin round. That's all you need before deciding on a stake size for real money.
Demo may not be available in some regions. If the button doesn't load — try a recommended casino ↓
The Lion Dance — Cultural Roots of the Theme
5 Lions Dance is built entirely around one of East Asia's oldest traditions — the lion dance (舞獅, wǔshī). Pragmatic Play recreated the atmosphere of a Chinese New Year celebration: fireworks over a village, red lanterns, drums and cymbals. Every element of the game references an authentic ritual that's been practised for over a thousand years.
🦁 Lion Dance (舞獅)
Performed by two dancers inside a lion costume to the beat of drums and cymbals. The lion dance is believed to ward off evil spirits and attract good fortune — which is why it opens Chinese New Year, weddings, and major ceremonies across East and Southeast Asia.
🎆 Fireworks and the Village
The game's backdrop is a Chinese village at night during the New Year celebration. Fireworks (烟花) symbolise the expulsion of evil — loud sounds and bright light drive away demons. The red lanterns (红灯笼) flanking the reels represent prosperity and joy.
🎭 Five Colours — Five Lions
The five differently coloured lions aren't random. In tradition, each colour carries meaning: gold represents wealth and wisdom, white stands for purity and spirituality, red for courage and luck, yellow for imperial power, green for friendship and harmony. In the slot they became the five premium-paying symbols.
🥁 The Drum Scatter
The drum scatter (鼓) isn't just a design choice. The drum sets the rhythm of the lion dance: fast beats make the lion leap, slow beats make it stalk. In the slot, the drum literally "starts" the free spin performance, which is a faithful nod to how the real ritual works.
Game Mechanics — Wild, Scatter, Lion Reel
Base Game — 1,024 Ways to Win
5 Lions Dance runs on a 5×4 grid with 1,024 fixed ways to win. That's four times more than the 243 ways in the original, and they're always active. A win is awarded whenever 3 or more identical symbols land on adjacent reels from left to right, in any row position.
Here's the maths behind it: each of the 5 reels shows 4 rows. For a win, you need the same symbol on any position of reel 1, then any position of reel 2, and so on. The formula is 4×4×4×4×4 = 1,024. Because of this, even 3 matching symbols across 3 reels can generate up to 64 simultaneous combinations (4×4×4). This is exactly why the symbol transformation in free spins is so powerful — when all lions become one symbol, the number of matching paths across the grid multiplies dramatically.
Wild — The Golden Ball
The Wild is a golden ball with red tassels — a classic Chinese lucky symbol. It lands on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5 and substitutes for everything except the scatter and Lion Reel. One thing that catches people out coming from the original: no multipliers. In the original 5 Lions, the Wild's random multiplier up to 40× is basically the whole point of the base game. Here it just substitutes. Nothing more.
That's not a flaw — it's how the math works. Pragmatic moved the multiplier weight entirely onto the Lion Reel Bonus, which keeps the base game flat and predictable. You won't get a sudden 40× spike from a lucky Wild combo, but you also won't spend 80 spins waiting for a Wild to "save" a dead spin either. The base game does what it's supposed to: keep the session ticking over until a bonus lands.
Scatter — The Drum on Reels 1, 2, 3
The scatter is a traditional Chinese drum. It can only appear on reels 1, 2, and 3. Three drum scatters landing simultaneously on all three left reels trigger 10 free spins. The rule is straightforward: three reels, three scatters, bonus activated.
Compared to the original: in 5 Lions the scatter (Yin-Yang) can land on any of 5 reels, but triggers only if 3+ appear starting from reel 1. In Dance the scatter is restricted to reels 1–3 — simpler and cleaner: no frustrating near-misses with scatters scattered across opposite ends of the grid.
Lion Reel — Symbol on Reels 3, 4, 5
A unique symbol that appears only on reels 3, 4, and 5. Three Lion Reel symbols in a single spin activate the Lion Reel Bonus — the slot's headline feature. This bonus triggers independently of free spins and can land at any moment during base play.
Key difference from the scatter: Lion Reel and scatter are two separate paths to a bonus — they don't compete. The scatter launches free spins (an extended bonus with transformation), while Lion Reel delivers an instant payout. In theory both could trigger in a single spin, though in practice this is vanishingly rare. This dual-trigger system makes Dance the only slot in the series with two completely independent bonus mechanics.
Paytable and Symbols
All values below are multipliers of your total stake per spin. Golden lion 20× at a $1 bet = $20 win. The five coloured lions are the premium symbols; playing card ranks from 10 to A are the low-pay fillers.
| Symbol | 3 in a row | 4 in a row | 5 in a row |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🦁 Golden Lion | 1× | 4× | 20× |
| ⬜ White Lion | 0.5× | 2× | 8× |
| 🔴 Red Lion | 0.5× | 2× | 8× |
| 🟡 Yellow Lion | 0.25× | 1× | 4× |
| 🟢 Green Lion | 0.25× | 1× | 4× |
| A / K | 0.15× | 0.5× | 3× |
| Q / J / 10 | 0.1× | 0.3× | 2× |
Lion Reel multipliers (instant payout): 5× · 10× · 15× · 20× · 25× · 50× · 75× · 100× · 150× · 200×
What the Paytable Means in Practice
The gap between the golden lion (20×) and the yellow or green lions (4×) is fivefold. Transforming into a golden lion during free spins pays five times more than transforming into a green lion, for the exact same number of symbols on screen. The takeaway: which lion the transformation picks is just as important as how many lions are showing.
Card symbols (10–A) pay 0.1× to 3× and exist mainly to sustain the hit rate at ~21.6%. They produce frequent but tiny wins that rarely cover your bet. Real money is made on the lion symbols — especially the golden lion (20× for five of a kind) and white/red lions (8× each).
Lion Reel Bonus — Instant Multipliers up to 200×
This is the defining mechanic of 5 Lions Dance and what sets it apart from every other slot in the series. The Lion Reel Bonus isn't a free spin round — it's an instant cash prize with no waiting required.
Lion Reel Multiplier Distribution
Not all multipliers are equally likely. Here's a visual breakdown — the higher the value, the rarer it is:
In my experience, the vast majority of Lion Reels land in the 5×–25× range. Values of 50×+ are a genuine event — roughly 1 in every 15–20 triggers. A 200× result is exceptionally rare. Don't build your session strategy around it.
Lion Reel in Context — Why It's Unique in the Series
No other slot in the 5 Lions series has anything like it. In the original, big wins come through Wild multipliers (up to 40× per symbol). In Gold, fixed jackpots (minor, major, grand). In Megaways, through cascading wins. The Lion Reel is the only mechanic in the series where two reels physically merge into one giant reel — visually and emotionally unlike anything else in the range. Even a 5× result comes with a genuinely satisfying animation.
Practical note: treat the Lion Reel as a bankroll buffer between free spin triggers, not as your primary payout source. In a typical 200-spin session you might land 2–3 Lion Reels paying 10×–20× each. At a $1 stake that's $20–$60 keeping you afloat while you wait for the free spins feature.
Free Spins — Symbol Transformation Explained
Free spins are where this slot either impresses you or leaves you cold — there's rarely a middle ground. The bonus itself is simple: 10 spins, no options to pick, no complexity. What makes it interesting is the transformation mechanic that fires after every winning spin.
Compare that to the original 5 Lions, where you choose from 7 different free spin setups before the round even starts. Dance removed all that decision-making and replaced it with something more chaotic and frankly more exciting — you never know if the transformation is about to turn a 2× spin into a 50× one.
How the Transformation Actually Works — Real Example
Say the spin lands: 3 golden lions, 2 white, 2 red, 1 green. Normal payout fires first — maybe 1× your stake for the golden trio. Then all 8 lions turn golden. Now you've got 8 golden lions across a 5-reel, 1,024-way grid. That's multiple 4-of-a-kind and 5-of-a-kind combinations all paying at once. One spin like that can return 50×–100× from what started as a 1× hit.
Now flip it: same situation, but the random pick lands on the green lion. Green pays 4× for five-of-a-kind vs 20× for the golden. You get maybe 12× instead of 60×. Same number of lions, same 1,024 ways, five times less money. That RNG on the transformation is what keeps this bonus honest — and occasionally brutal.
RTP — Three Versions and What They Cost You
Three RTP Versions
This is the part most review sites skip over, and it matters. Dance doesn't have one RTP — it has three. Casinos pick whichever they want, and you have no way to know which one you're playing unless you check the in-game info panel before spinning.
The volatility of 5 Lions Dance is 3 out of 5 on Pragmatic Play's own scale. That's significantly softer than the original (5/5): dry spells are shorter, wins come more often, but peak payouts are lower. You'll feel the difference within the first 50 spins.
What the RTP Difference Means in Real Money
| Bankroll | RTP 96.5% | RTP 95.50% | RTP 94.50% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | −$1.75 | −$2.25 | −$2.75 |
| $100 | −$3.50 | −$4.50 | −$5.50 |
| $250 | −$8.75 | −$11.25 | −$13.75 |
| $500 | −$17.50 | −$22.50 | −$27.50 |
| $1,000 | −$35 | −$45 | −$55 |
* Theoretical values. Real results vary due to volatility.
How to Check RTP at Your Casino
Bonus Frequency — SlotTracker Data
Based on SlotTracker data (41,317 tracked spins): the Lion Reel Bonus triggers more frequently than free spins. Based on player experience, Lion Reel can be expected roughly every 80–120 spins, while free spins come less often — around every 150–250 spins. However, free spins typically deliver larger total payouts due to the transformation mechanic.
What this means for session planning: at a $1 stake with Lion Reel expected every ~100 spins, you need roughly $100 between bonuses. Free spins require $150–250 of runway. A comfortable minimum bankroll for a $1 stake session is $150 — enough to realistically hit at least one Lion Reel and potentially a free spin round.
Hit Rate of 21.6% means roughly 1 in every 4.6 spins returns something. That's lower than the original (~30.88%, or 1 in 3.2 spins). It seems counterintuitive for a medium-volatility slot to pay less frequently — but the original generates many tiny wins from card symbols on its tighter 243-way grid. In Dance those micro-wins are fewer, but the balance swings less dramatically. You'll see fewer 15–20 spin dry spells. The overall session feel is smoother, even if the raw hit rate number looks lower on paper.
How to Play 5 Lions Dance
5 Lions Dance is simpler than the original: no free spin option selection, no Wild multipliers — just set your bet, spin, and let two independent bonuses do the work. It's an ideal slot for players who don't want to manage complex decisions but still want meaningful win potential.
What to Expect From a Real Session
5 Lions Dance is a medium-volatility slot. That means a more stable flow of payouts than the original — but no extreme highs. Here's an honest picture of a typical session based on real-money play and analysis of 41,000+ tracked spins in SlotTracker.
5 Lions Dance on Mobile — Browser and APK
5 Lions Dance is fully optimised for any device via HTML5 — just open your casino in a browser, no app download needed.
Honest Pros and Cons
- Lion Reel — instant multipliers up to 200×
- Symbol transformation in free spins — double payout potential
- 1,024 ways — four times more than the original
- RTP 96.5% — above the industry average
- Medium volatility — suitable for most players
- Unlimited free spin retriggers
- No Bonus Buy or Ante Bet
- No Wild multipliers (substitution only)
- Max win 2,700× — modest by 2026 standards
- Base game feels flat without bonuses
- No free spin option selection (always 10)
- Three RTP tiers — risk of landing on a 94.50% casino
Strategy, Tips and Bankroll Guidance
Minimum Bankroll by Stake Level
Medium volatility in Dance means you need a smaller buffer than the original. From real-money experience: a comfortable bankroll is 150× your stake. At $0.20: $30. At $1: $100–$150. At $5: at least $500. The goal is to reach 2–3 bonuses per session. I typically play at $1 and budget $150 — that usually covers 1–2 hours of play.
Specific scenarios: if your budget is $50 — stick to $0.20–$0.40 stakes. That gives 125–250 spins, enough for 1–2 Lion Reels and possibly a free spin round. If your budget is $200+ you can comfortably play at $1, but expect that 60–80 spins without a significant payout is completely normal for medium volatility.
Lion Reel — A Nice Boost, Not a Strategy
Lion Reel triggers unpredictably. The typical payout is 10×–15× your stake. Don't raise your bet "while waiting" for it — that's how people burn through their bankroll before any bonus lands. A 5×–10× Lion Reel barely covers 5–10 losing spins. The hits that actually matter (25×+) come roughly once every 3–4 triggers, not every time.
Lion Reel is pure RNG. You can't nudge it closer by spinning faster or betting more — every spin starts from zero. If 200 spins pass with nothing, that's normal variance, not the slot being broken. The players who tilt and double their stake at spin 150 are the ones who regret it. Take it as a buffer between free spin rounds, not as the plan.
Free Spins — Where the Real Money Is Made
The transformation mechanic on 1,024 ways is where this slot actually earns its keep. One thing that consistently makes the difference: how many lions are showing when the transformation fires. Eight lions turning golden is a completely different beast from two lions turning green. The number of lions matters almost as much as which colour gets picked.
During the bonus, glance at how many lion heads are on the reels after each spin. Six or more and the next transformation could be a serious payout. One or two and you're likely getting a marginal bump. The Wild on reels 2–5 helps by completing the initial wins that make the transformation trigger — so a Wild landing early in a free spin is always welcome.
Dance vs the Original — When to Choose Which
If your bankroll is modest ($30–$80) Dance suits you better than the original. Medium volatility means the balance won't collapse in 50 spins. If you have $200+ and are comfortable with risk — the original 5 Lions with its Wild multipliers up to 40× and 7 free spin options can deliver larger single-session peaks.
Play Demo Before Real Money
Put in 50–100 demo spins first. The goal isn't to "win" — it's to feel the payout rhythm and confirm that medium volatility suits your style. Notice the frequency of small payouts (roughly every 4–5 spins), the time between bonuses, and the typical size of a Lion Reel hit. If after 100 demo spins you find it slow — try the original 5 Lions or Megaways for a higher-volatility experience.
Session Control
Set two hard limits before you start: a loss limit (e.g., $75) and a win goal (e.g., stop at +$100). Medium volatility makes Dance more predictable than the original, but 40–60 dry spins without a meaningful payout still happens. Never chase losses by raising your stake — that's the number one mistake in any slot game, regardless of volatility.
5 Lions Dance vs Other Asian Slots
Most Asian-themed slots at this RTP level lean high volatility — Dragon Tiger, the original 5 Lions, Megaways. Dance is the odd one out with medium variance and an instant-payout bonus that isn't free spins. That's genuinely unusual for the niche, and it's why the slot has stayed relevant five years after release.
| Slot | Provider | RTP | Max Win | Buy | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Lions Dance | Pragmatic Play | 96.5% | 2,700× | No | Lion Reel 200×, transformation |
| 5 Lions | Pragmatic Play | 96.5% | 3,520× | No | 7 free spin options, Wild up to 40× |
| Dragon Kingdom | Pragmatic Play | 96.47% | 400× | No | Stacked symbols + multipliers |
| Caishen's Gold | Pragmatic Play | 97.08% | 1,378× | No | 4 jackpots, highest RTP |
| Dragon Tiger | Pragmatic Play | 96.5% | 18,125× | No | Wild multipliers in free spins |
Choose Dance when: you prefer medium volatility, want instant Lion Reel bonuses, value high RTP, and enjoy a festive atmosphere. Choose another slot when: you need Bonus Buy → 5 Lions Megaways. You want Wild multipliers in base game → original 5 Lions. You want a higher max win → Dragon Tiger (18,125×).
⚠️ Responsible Gambling
5 Lions Dance is a medium-volatility slot. Dry runs of 30–50 spins without a meaningful payout are completely normal. Always set a loss limit before you start a session.
Gambling should be entertainment. If it stops feeling fun — that's your signal to take a break. Never play with money you can't afford to lose.
18+ If you're concerned about problem gambling, support is available:
Best Casinos for 5 Lions Dance
Dance has three RTP versions: 96.5%, 95.50%, and 94.50%. We verified: both operators below run the maximum 96.5% version and allow demo play without registration. Players registering via links on this page receive 300+ free spins on 5 Lions Dance — no promo code needed, the bonus activates automatically.
Before depositing, confirm the RTP version in the game rules section or via live chat. It takes 2 minutes and can save you real money over a session.
Bonuses for 5 Lions Dance — What You Get
300+ free spins, no promo code required. When you register through the links on this page, free spins for 5 Lions Dance are credited automatically. These spins let you experience both bonus features — Lion Reel and the transformation — on real money without risking your own funds.
1Win: +500% on first deposit. A $20 deposit becomes $120 (your $20 + $100 bonus). That's 600 spins at $0.20 — enough for 5–7 Lion Reels and 2–4 free spin rounds. Cryptocurrency deposits (BTC, ETH, USDT) may unlock an additional bonus on top — check current terms on the casino's site.
Why play with a bonus? Medium volatility in Dance means you typically need 100–150 spins before hitting a significant bonus. With free spins you burn through that warm-up period at no cost and start real-money play with a feel for the slot's rhythm — and possibly some winnings already on your balance.
5 Lions Dance vs the Full Series
| Slot | Year | Max Win | Buy | What Makes It Unique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Lions | 2018 | 3,520× | No | 576 ways + 7 free spin options |
| 5 Lions Dance | 2020 | 2,700× | No | Lion Reel 200× + transformation |
| 5 Lions Gold | 2019 | 7,342× | No | 3 fixed jackpots |
| 5 Lions Megaways | 2021 | 5,000× | Yes | Up to 200,704 ways, Tumble |
| 5 Lions MW 2 | 2025 | 8,000× | Yes | Level Up, Super/MAX FS |
| 5 Lions Reborn | 2025 | 5,000× | Yes | Growing multiplier, Super FS |
Dance is the best pick when medium volatility and instant Lion Reel bonuses matter most. Need Bonus Buy → Megaways or MW2. Want control over free spin options → the original. Full series guide →
Expert Verdict
I've put 800+ spins into Dance across multiple sessions — real money and demo. Honest take: it's the slot in this series I'd recommend to someone starting out, not because it's the most exciting, but because it's the most forgiving. The balance doesn't crater in the first 50 spins, the Lion Reel keeps things interesting in the base game, and when free spins finally land, you actually feel something happening — especially when the transformation picks the golden lion on a screen full of lions.
Free spins with transformation — that's where the magic happens. When 8–10 different lions on screen all turn into the golden lion, you're looking at 1,024 ways recalculated at the highest symbol value. In my best session one such spin completely turned the whole thing around. But I've also had bonuses where the transformation landed on the green lion every time — and the result was underwhelming. That's honest variance, not a flaw.
The 2,700× ceiling is what it is — modest for 2026. If you need a shot at 5,000× or 8,000×, this isn't the slot for that. But if you'd rather have a session that doesn't blow up in 20 minutes, a festive theme that's actually grounded in real cultural tradition, and two bonuses that work independently — Dance still holds up.
Who I recommend Dance to first: players exploring the 5 Lions series for the first time. Medium volatility won't crush your bankroll in 50 spins, the Lion Reel delivers quick excitement, and the free spin transformation shows what this series is capable of. After Dance you can make an informed choice to go to the original (high volatility, Wild up to 40×) or Megaways (Bonus Buy, cascades). Dance is your entry point into the series.
- You prefer medium volatility
- You enjoy instant bonuses (Lion Reel)
- High RTP (96.5%) matters to you
- You want a festive, celebratory theme
- You need a Bonus Buy option
- You want Wild multipliers in base game
- You're chasing a 5,000×+ max win
- You want to choose your free spin option
How This Review Was Built
Full details: How we rate slots →