Among the many factors that shape the online slots experience, paylines matter a great deal, yet they rarely receive the attention they deserve. If you have ever seen the jagged lines drawn across the reels of a slot, you already know what paylines are. They are essential to modern slots, and they play a major role in forming winning combinations. If you have not yet read up on this topic, we highly recommend doing so now. Gaining a proper understanding of each aspect of a given game is important if you wish to have a great experience with it. Below, we will review all relevant information regarding slots paylines and answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the topic.
Slots Paylines Explained
Paylines in slots are a simple concept. The most basic elements of a slots game are the reels and symbols. Depending on how the reels stop and which symbols appear, you may or may not form winning combinations. But how does the game determine which combinations will award a payout and which will not? This is where paylines come in. A payline is a pattern on the reels that the game reads to determine whether you achieve a winning spin. Paylines start from the leftmost reel and continue along the adjacent ones until they reach the rightmost reel. Some are straight lines, while others are zigzagged.
Unlike the outcome of a spin, paylines are predetermined and static. The game is programmed with a set number of paylines, and they always follow the same patterns. To form a winning combination, games usually require you to land a given number of matching symbols along one of these paylines. Winning patterns traditionally start on the leftmost reel and continue along the line, though Scatter symbols are often exempt from this rule. A combination cannot start on the second reel and then progress to the third and fourth; it must begin on the leftmost reel.
The earliest slot machines featured a single payline that ran across the center position on all three reels. Today, things are much different. Modern online slots can have anywhere between 1 and 50 paylines, with wide variation among titles. Some offer as few as 9 paylines, while others provide 50 or more. The purpose of additional paylines is to give you a better chance of landing winning combinations. In some games, you can choose how many paylines are active, though not all slots allow this. Additionally, for every payline you activate, you must wager additional money. Payline bets are always the same value, and you cannot wager more on certain lines than on others.
Slots Paylines Additional TipsYou can also land wins on multiple paylines simultaneously. As long as the symbols align on the correct patterns, you can form several combinations. Note, however, that if multiple combinations occur on the same line, you will receive a payout only for the highest-paying one. The ability to score multiple wins at once is what makes multi-payline slots worthwhile, and it greatly increases your chances of winning. Therefore, you can think of each payline as a separate bet on the outcome of a spin, much like playing multiple hands in video poker or blackjack.
Coins and Bet Level
Another important factor is the number of coins wagered per payline and their value. Understanding these settings is vital if you want to manage your bankroll effectively. As mentioned previously, the more paylines you activate, the more money you must bet. For each payline in play, you wager one coin. The coin’s value is designated by you before spinning the reels. You can adjust both the number of coins per payline and their individual value.
For example, if you bet a single coin on each payline, you multiply the coin value by the number of active paylines to determine the cost of a spin. Let’s take a 25-payline slot where you wager one coin per line, valued at $0.01 each. To calculate the cost, multiply the number of paylines by the coin value. In this case, 25*$0.01 = $0.25 per spin. However, if you choose to play with multiple coins, you must also factor that in. Imagine the same game, but you are betting two coins on each payline. The calculation would then be 25*2*$0.01 = $0.50 per spin. In addition, for each coin you add per line, the payout for a winning combination is adjusted proportionally. For example, if a 3× combination pays 10 coins when playing with one coin, it will pay 20 coins when you spin it while playing with two coins per line.
As for coin value, that is straightforward. A separate meter allows you to change the size of the coins for each spin. These values have set minimums and maximums, and you must stay within that range.
Paylines Alternatives
Over time, certain games have moved beyond the traditional payline system and adopted a new method of forming winning combinations. This is where the X-Ways to Win system comes into play. It removes predetermined paylines and gives players a more flexible way to create combinations. Unlike paylines, this type of slot does not require symbols to follow a specific pattern to form a win. Instead, you must line up the same symbol on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel, with no regard for the symbol’s exact position. As long as the symbols appear on neighboring reels, the spin can result in a win.
The X-Ways to Win system is the main alternative to old-school paylines, and while the number of these games is still small by comparison, more titles are released each week. In fact, some of the most popular games on the market use this system, particularly Avalon II, The Dark Knight Rises, Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck II, and many more.
FAQ about Paylines
We know you may have more questions about paylines, so we have answered the most common ones raised in the gambling community. We provide detailed explanations and cover as much ground as possible within this format. While we can only include so much information in one article, we believe what follows will address the majority of your queries.
Should I play slots with a low or high number of paylines?
This is a tricky question to answer for several reasons. For one, slots are not usually judged by the number of paylines they offer unless that number is significantly lower than the industry average. We always recommend judging a game by its entertainment value first and by other factors second. If you are looking to optimize your gameplay, start by checking other metrics such as RTP and house edge. Paylines should be one of your last considerations when choosing a game.
Are more active paylines better than fewer active lines?
In almost all situations, playing with more active paylines is better than playing with fewer. Paylines exist to help you land more winning combinations. When you reduce the number of lines, you deliberately lower your chances of winning. There is no real incentive to do so, and you should avoid it whenever possible.
Keep in mind that certain games do not allow you to change the number of active paylines, so consider this when choosing a slot.
Should I play with more or fewer coins per line?
This choice depends entirely on you and the size of your bankroll. In most video slots, there is nothing to optimize by changing the number of coins per line because payout ratios remain the same. Some classic slots increase the payout for the top combination when you add extra coins, but this usually applies only to a statistically unlikely outcome and is uncommon in modern titles. When you adjust the number of coins in play, you simply increase or decrease the size of your bet. If you feel like taking on more risk, bet more coins per line; if not, stick to a single coin.
When my budget is low, should I reduce the number of paylines or lower the value of the coins?
You should generally keep the number of active paylines as high as possible because they give you the best chance to land winning combinations and stay in the game longer. Playing with fewer lines offers no real benefit. If you are short on funds, first reduce the number of coins you bet per payline. Each additional coin multiplies your total bet by the number of paylines, so cutting back can significantly reduce the cost per spin. If that is still not enough, lower the coin value. You will be playing at the same odds, and payouts will remain proportional to your wager size. Reducing the number of active paylines should be a last resort, and if you reach that point, it might be wise to end your session.
Are slots with paylines better than slots using the X-Ways to Win system?
This is largely subjective, and different players have different preferences. The X-Ways system offers more flexibility and a higher chance of landing winning combinations, though this usually comes at the cost of lower payouts. Software providers often set these slots with smaller rewards to offset the higher hit frequency. Payline slots are the opposite: hits are less frequent, but payouts are typically larger.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you enjoy. You will have a great experience with a game you like, regardless of the system it uses, and your entertainment should take precedence over all other factors.
Are single payline slots worth it?
Although single-payline slots are rare today, they still exist and can be found with a bit of searching. Whether they are worth playing is entirely subjective and depends on the specific game. A single-payline slot will naturally provide wins less frequently than a multi-payline one, but that does not make it worthless. You need to consider the game’s payout ratios and the features it offers. Most single-payline titles are classic slots, which may or may not appeal to you. Alchemist’s Lab is an excellent example of a one-payline game that still offers worthwhile rewards and features.