To roll paper or cardboard sheets (1) into reels (3) known winders have devices to turn the reel (3) and generate tension along the sheet (1) during rolling, as well as a contact roll (4, 19) that contacts the reel (3) under pressure. The contact roll (4, 19) together with the reel (3) forms a nip through which the sheet (1) is fed towards the reel (3). According to the invention, so as to carry at least part of the reel weight, at least one additional support reel (16, 20, 25) is placed underneath the reel (3). This support reel extends parallel to the axis of the contact roll (4, 19), is mounted in such a way that it can rotate freely or can be switched to free-wheel position, and on its outer surface has a deformable coating (18, 24) made of a cellular plastic material comprising numerous evenly distributed pores and having a compression modulus kappa of less than 10 MPa.