More Chilli pokies are the loud, cheerful Mexican fiesta of the Aristocrat back catalogue. A grinning chap with a big black moustache plays wild, a mariachi band strikes up on the bigger wins, and the free games are played on more than one set of reels at the same time.
It is that multi-reel-set feature that made More Chilli stand out on pub floors. Instead of a single grid, the bonus starts with two sets of reels spinning together, and collecting chilli peppers during the round can add more reel sets and turn whole reels wild. Here is how it works, what to expect, and where you can play More Chilli free on an official Aristocrat app.
How More Chilli pokies play
The base game is a familiar Aristocrat setup: five reels, three rows and 25 paylines, with wins paying left to right. The Mexican man symbol is the wild and substitutes for everything except the scatter. Scatter wins pay anywhere on the screen.
Many versions offer an extra bet of 5 credits on top of your line bet. Its job is to boost the free games, usually by giving you more spins when the feature triggers. Since it adds to the cost of every spin, read the help screen on your machine before switching it on.
New to terms like scatter and payline? Our pokie glossary covers the lot.
The More Chilli free games feature
Three or more scatters trigger the free games. Reviews disagree on whether the scatter is the chilli or the money bag, and on the exact number of spins (figures from 10 to 15 are quoted, with more when the extra bet is active), which suggests different versions behave slightly differently. The structure is consistent, though:
- The free games start on two sets of reels spinning at once, both at your triggering bet. Every win on either set pays.
- Chilli peppers that land during the feature are collected on a meter.
- Reach the collection targets and the game adds another reel set, up to four sets according to most sources.
- Higher targets turn whole reels wild on every set, starting from the right-hand side, which is where the big feature results come from.
Sources quote collection targets such as 9, 14 and 30 chillies for each upgrade, but the help screens on your version are the only reliable guide.
Symbols and pays
- Moustached Mexican man: the wild.
- Scatter: triggers the free games and pays anywhere.
- Chilli peppers: collected during the feature to unlock extra reel sets and wild reels.
- Theme symbols: tequila, chihuahua, chicken, sun, money sack and the chilli stand.
- Card values: 9 to Ace.
History and trivia
More Chilli ran on Aristocrat's MKVI hardware. The MAME emulation database lists a New South Wales and ACT version dated 2008, with other regional builds following, and several sources put the first release around 2007. Some online sites claim 2000 or 2012, which seem to confuse it with other games or the online version.
Collectors and reviewers often credit More Chilli as one of the first pokies to play free games on multiple sets of reels at once. We could not confirm it was the very first, but it certainly made the idea popular in Australian venues.
The brand is still alive. Aristocrat has released a newer More Chilli product with fresh characters and its Hold and Spin mechanic, featuring games called Habanero Heater, Extra Spicy and Mas Pollo. For how these modern features work, see our Hold and Spin guide.
What to expect when you play
The base game is fairly lively, with lots of small wins on 25 lines. The feature is the main event, and how it pays depends heavily on how many chillies you collect. A round that never reaches the first target can be modest. One that hits the wild-reel upgrades across three or four sets can be memorable.
Return to player is set by the venue within state limits. Pick a budget, enjoy the music, and walk away when it is spent. If it stops being fun, see our play-safely page.
Where to play More Chilli free
More Chilli is named in the official Heart of Vegas app description on the App Store ("Spice things up with MORE CHILLI slots"). Heart of Vegas is made by Product Madness, Aristocrat's social casino studio, and runs on virtual coins only. Read our Heart of Vegas guide or browse the free Aristocrat pokies page.
Original Aristocrat titles like More Chilli are generally not offered at online casinos, so be careful with any site that claims otherwise.
Can't find it online?
Look for 25-line Mexican-themed pokies whose free spins play on several reel sets at once. We explain the honest situation, and which mechanics to look for, on our can you play Aristocrat pokies online page.
If it stops being fun, read our play-safely page.
