Just Jewels Deluxe: the gem slot, cut again

What Deluxe actually changes

Novomatic gave many of its older hits a Deluxe edition, and Just Jewels Deluxe follows the usual pattern. The core is untouched: gemstones, a crown, a scatter that pays anywhere and no free games. What changes is the finish. The stones are sharper and glossier, the reels are framed more cleanly and the animations on winning lines are smoother. The line count is also different from the original, and the info screen shows the exact layout.

For most players the decision between the two comes down to taste. The original has a raw, arcade feel. The Deluxe edition looks at home on a modern phone screen.

Paying without a bonus round

Every win in Just Jewels Deluxe comes either from a payline or from the scatter. There is no wild feature to wait for and no round of free games. The result is a game where the rhythm stays constant: you will not get long quiet spells followed by a bonus, but you will not get the bonus either.

That suits a certain kind of session, often a short one, where the player wants simple outcomes and steady play rather than a chase.

A sensible way to test the Just Jewels Deluxe demo

The demo opens with 1,000 virtual credits and needs no sign-up or download. Start at a stake equal to £0.10 and play 150 spins, noting the average win and how often the scatter contributes. Then double the stake for another 50 spins to feel how quickly the balance moves at a higher level.

Gamble with care

After a win you can take the card gamble, red or black, double or nothing. On a game without free spins it is tempting to use it to chase something bigger. In free play, try it on ten wins in a row and look at the balance at the end. The same game is available for real money at the casinos listed below.