5 Treasures

When I first loaded up 5 Treasures, I was immediately hit with that wave of nostalgia that only a classic casino floor favorite can provide. You know that feeling when you walk past a bank of machines and see that overflowing pot of gold coins at the top of the screen? That is exactly the energy Light & Wonder (formerly Shuffle Master) has captured here. The theme is unapologetically Asian-inspired, drenched in deep, lucky reds and shimmering golds that just scream "prosperity."

Visually, it doesn't try to reinvent the wheel with 3D cinematics, and honestly, I love it for that. It sticks to what works: crisp, clear symbols like the golden koi, turtles, and tigers that pop against the dark red reels. The soundtrack is hypnotic—a traditional, melodic loop that ramps up into a celebratory chime every time you hit a win. But the real thrill for me is the sound of the pot lid clanking shut when the Wilds fly up. It triggers a Pavlovian response in me every single time, making my heart race as I wait to see if the Jackpot feature triggers. It’s a beautiful, polished tribute to the classic "Duo Fu Duo Cai" series that feels right at home on my screen.

The gameplay in 5 Treasures is built on the famous Reel Ways engine, giving us 243 ways to win across a standard 5x3 grid. This means no worrying about specific paylines; as long as those matching symbols land on adjacent reels from left to right, I'm cashing in. But the real meat of the game—and the thing I obsess over—is the All Up betting structure. To the left of the reels, you have the option to activate up to 5 Gold Symbols. I cannot stress this enough: playing with fewer than 5 Gold Symbols active feels like leaving money on the table to me.

My sessions are always defined by the Fu Bat Wild. This symbol only appears on the middle three reels, but it is the key to everything. Every time one lands, it substitutes for other symbols to help form wins, which is great, but visually, it sends coins flying into the treasure pot above the reels. It’s this constant teasing mechanic that keeps me glued to the screen. Even on a spin with no line wins, seeing that Wild land gives me a rush because I know it could be the one that cracks the pot open. The base game can sometimes feel a bit grindy if the high-value symbols aren't connecting, but the anticipation of the pot closing keeps the adrenaline flowing.

While the exact RTP isn't disclosed on every version of this game, from my extensive time spinning these reels, it feels like it sits comfortably around the industry standard—likely in the 95.8% to 96% range. As a Canadian player putting my own CAD on the line, I've found the return to be fair, though you need to respect the math model here.

In terms of volatility, I’d classify 5 Treasures as a solid Medium-High volatility experience. During my test sessions, I went through periods of dead spins or small "stay alive" wins, followed by sudden, heart-pounding bursts of action when the features hit. It’s not a game that slowly drains you; it’s a game that makes you hold your breath. The hit frequency is decent enough to keep you interested, but you are really playing for the bonus rounds and the jackpots. You need to budget your bankroll to weather the quiet storms because when this game decides to pay, it can pay beautifully.

This is where the magic happens! There are two main events in 5 Treasures, and I love them both. First, let's talk about the Jackpot Feature. This can trigger randomly whenever a Fu Bat Wild lands. When the pot lid finally slams shut, my pulse spikes! You are taken to a screen with 12 coins, and you pick until you match three icons corresponding to the Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand jackpot. The rush of picking those coins, hoping to see the Grand symbol, is absolute peak gaming for me.

Then there are the Free Spins, triggered by landing three or more Treasure Door scatters (starting from the first reel). What I adore about this feature is the agency it gives me. You get to choose one of five modes, each associated with one of the Gold Symbols (Koi, Turtle, Tiger, Phoenix, or Dragon). Basically, you are choosing your volatility within the bonus. Do you want 6 spins with the entire reel strip populated with the highest-paying Dragon? or more spins with lower-paying symbols? I almost always go for the 6 spins with the Koi or Turtle—it’s high risk, but seeing a screen full of gold symbols is an unmatched feeling. Plus, the feature can re-trigger, which has saved my session more than once!

If you're going to play 5 Treasures, you need to play it right. My number one rule is: Always activate all 5 Gold Symbols. Yes, it costs more per spin (usually 88 cents minimum for the full experience), but playing without the high-value symbols active significantly lowers your RTP and potential. If your bankroll is tight, I'd recommend lowering your denomination rather than deactivating the Gold Symbols.

Because of the volatility, I suggest starting with a bankroll of at least 100x your total bet. If I'm betting $0.88 a spin, I want at least $90 in my balance to ride out the dry spells. I also set a strict session limit. If I trigger the Free Spins round and hit a decent win (anything over 50x), I usually cash out or lower my bet. Don't chase the Grand Jackpot; treat it as a lucky surprise, not a goal.

The great news for us in the Great White North is that 5 Treasures is widely available at regulated casinos. I've played this on several major sites that cater to Canadians. I always look for casinos that accept Interac for deposits—it’s just the fastest and safest way to get my CAD into the game so I can start spinning immediately.

The game runs flawlessly on mobile, too. I’ve spent plenty of time playing this on my smartphone while waiting for a friend or relaxing on the couch. The touch controls for the Jackpot pick feature actually feel more immersive on a touchscreen! Most legitimate Canadian casinos will also let you try the demo mode first, which I highly recommend so you can get a feel for the "All Up" betting system before risking your own loonies.