In conventional slots, matching symbols pay out when they line up from left to right, and players often miss the big prize simply because the symbols land on the last reel. Game developers have found a simple solution: slots where players can win from left to right and from right to left.
When this payout system was first introduced, it seemed revolutionary to players, since it gave them twice as many ways to win the same game. Today, various gaming studios create slots of this type, adding a wide range of special symbols and bonus features to make the games even more interesting. Compared to traditional slots, they are indeed more appealing to players, but are the so-called “win both ways” slots really better or more profitable?
What Is the Win Both Ways System?
1Standard Paylines
The most basic slot games consist of three spinning reels, and to receive a payout, players must land three matching symbols on the central horizontal line that crosses all three reels. This line is known as the payline and is one of the most fundamental elements of mechanical and video slots. Most modern games, however, feature five reels with three or four symbol positions on each one. Using a 5×3, 5×4, or similar reel grid allows for many more paylines, including horizontal, diagonal, and even lines that bend or curve into various shapes and patterns.
There can be zigzags, V and W shapes, upside-down Ws, and more. The variety of paylines in today’s slot games is astonishing. There is one rule, however: the combination of three or more matching symbols must start on the leftmost reel and continue to the right. This payout structure has defined slot play for decades, and all players are familiar with it.
How Paylines Work in Slots?
2Two-Way Pay Structure
If winning combinations can start from either the leftmost or rightmost reel, the game is considered a win both ways slot. These games are also known as two-way pay slots, and their only difference from traditional slots is the allowed direction of winning combinations.
In win both ways slots, the paylines do not mirror or alter the original lines; their shapes remain exactly the same. The same lines are used, but players can start from either end to create a winning combination. As always, the matching symbols that form the combo must land on consecutive reels.
Example of Win Both Ways Slot
Advantages and Disadvantages of Win Both Ways Slots
Interesting Gameplay
Twice as Many Ways to Win
Cost
RTP PercentagesInteresting Gameplay
Slots with unconventional mechanics are usually more engaging than the hundreds of traditional games that are often nearly indistinguishable from one another. Although win both ways slots are played almost the same way as standard left-to-right payline games, they still look and feel different.
Moreover, developers have found many ways to enhance the gameplay even further. These slots usually feature special symbols such as wilds and scatters, along with bonus rounds, free spins, and more. Some titles, however, include only a few special features to offset the improved payout system. Players should review the game information beforehand; otherwise, they might end up with a tedious, monotonous slot that merely pays both ways.
Twice as Many Ways to Win
The obvious advantage of these slots is that you have twice as many ways to win, or so it seems. The two-way feature lets players score wins in both directions. In a standard slot, three matching symbols on the last three reels would award nothing, but in win both ways slots they produce a payout. This is beneficial because, in most cases, it allows players to collect more winnings than usual.
However, the win both ways feature does not truly double the number of paylines. Players may have more chances to win, but only the highest win per line from left to right or from right to left is paid. This means that five-symbol combinations are counted and paid only once, even though, technically, they form two separate combos on the same payline. Similarly, if shorter combinations include wilds on the second, third, or fourth reel on the same line, the game pays only the larger amount instead of two separate payouts.
Cost
Software developers often compensate for the increased number of ways to win by adjusting payouts, volatility, and the minimum and maximum stakes of the slot. Consequently, these games may not be as exciting or profitable as they sound. Wins can be less frequent, combinations may pay less, and you might have to place higher bets than in most games.
Of course, this is not true for every win both ways title. Players should therefore examine the rules and paytable before they start playing. The cost of these slots may ultimately outweigh the benefits.
RTP Percentages
One drawback of these games is that, despite the well-advertised “double ways to win,” they usually do not have a better RTP (return to player) than regular slots. As noted above, developers adjust the odds so the game does not give players too much of an advantage. The win both ways payout structure does not improve how often we win or the amounts we receive; these factors depend solely on the game’s design.
The average RTP of win both ways titles is roughly the same as most conventional slots, around 96%–97%. There are plenty of exceptions, though, and players can easily find slots that pay out more on the Internet.
Are Win Both Ways Slots Better than Conventional Slots
1Odds and Expected Return
As explained above, win both ways slots do not differ much from games with standard paylines in terms of odds and RTP percentages. However, the precise mechanics and design of each slot are rarely disclosed publicly, unlike information on returns and volatility. Therefore, knowing the exact odds and probabilities of a slot is impossible. By contrast, we can calculate the odds in games such as roulette, blackjack, or craps with relative ease.
2Hit Frequency
Some game developers disclose the hit frequency of the slots they create. This metric shows players how often the game pays. Combined with the RTP percentage, hit frequency is a good indicator of whether a slot is worth playing. Generally, win both ways slots tend to have a higher hit frequency, meaning roughly every third spin results in a win. To maintain balance, these more frequent wins are designed to pay less than those in conventional slots.
3Conclusion
Two-way pay slots are a great option for players who want something new and fresh. They usually do not offer higher returns than regular one-way slots, but their innovative payout structure adds extra excitement. As most players agree, the more interesting and fun a slot game is, the better.
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Find the answers of questions people asked so far:
I expected I would win more if I played both-ways slots but that is not the case. Why is that?
The easiest way to explain this is to compare a left-to-right slot with 40 paylines to a both-ways slot with 20 paylines. Although it may look as if both games offer 40 paylines in total, they do not. In slots that pay both ways, you have a better chance of landing a winning line, but that does not mean you get twice as many paylines. Even if you land a five-of-a-kind combo in a both-ways slot, you are not paid twice for that win. For this reason, choosing a both-ways slot will not automatically make you win more than a standard left-to-right slot.
Are there slots that offer a third way for a payline or adjacent symbol combination to award payouts?
Surprisingly, yes. Although only a few slots offer more than both-ways payouts, innovative providers such as Crazy Tooth Studio (CTS) have introduced Any Adjacent Wins games. These titles typically have five or six reels, and a combination pays whenever the same symbol appears on three or more adjacent reels. Because of this feature, players are rewarded not only when a combo starts on the leftmost or rightmost reel but also when the matching symbols land on the middle three reels. In other words, a winning combination does not have to begin on the far left or far right reel.