Whether you’re playing live in a casino or via smartphone, how slot machine paylines work doesn’t change: you need to set them up before you start playing so you can select the positions along which you’ll identify winning combinations. In this chapter of Gambling24.casino blog, you will find out everything you need to know about the slot machine paylines of online games: they can be single or multiple, and in the most modern slots they can in fact be more than a hundred. What doesn’t change, however, is the fun and excitement you feel at the stop of the reels, when the final positions of the symbols are finally revealed: you’ll find out how much your winnings amount to and whether you’ve managed to unlock bonus game sessions, during which you can collect free spins and further winnings.
Introduction to paylines
Slot paylines are one of the mechanisms underlying the operation of slot machines, both those found in land-based casinos and online slots machines, many of which you can also play for free or you can try no-deposit (or no-deposit welcome bonus) pokies with different themes. Paylines should be set before the game: the sequence of symbols that appear in their perimeter can be read from left to right and should be compared with the pay table so that you can determine the value of your winnings. Continue reading this chapter of the guide to understand all the details of how the slot machine paylines work, and you’ll have a chance to test your new knowledge by comparing the most popular questions and answers and a mini quiz to test yourself!
Single payline
The Single payline were the first type of paylines to appear back in the days of slot machines in the late 1800s, and it is to this day the easiest and most straightforward way to play: just check the symbols that appear lined up on the middle row of the reels to find out which jackpot you are entitled to. This is why the single paylines still continues to be popular, although thanks to continuous innovations and improvements in slot machines it has now been overtaken by more modern and attractive free slots and video slots with multiple slot paylines. Single-win-line jackpot slots are often associated with a vintage gaming experience: in fact, it is not uncommon to still find classic symbols (fruit, bells, BARs) combined with this kind of game mode.
A single paylines does not necessarily correspond to a lower chance of winning: jackpots can be of great value even with this kind of payline, it all depends on the specifics of the slot you are playing!
Multiple payline
Multiple payline slots are the best known and most popular: in this game mode at the stop of the reels you will witness the arrangement of symbols along all the lines and, based on the results obtained to be compared with the payout table, you will be able to figure out exactly what jackpot you have totaled. The main attraction of multi-line slots is the possibility to select multiple paylines (not necessarily straight: the possibilities are many and very creative, from zig zags to segments) and thus obtain more winning combinations, in which by the way the same symbol can count for more lines and thus contribute to even more jackpot. On average, current slots machines have 20 to 30 paylines, but there are also slots with 100 and more slot machine paylines, up to 200. There is certainly no shortage of opportunities to make all kinds of combinations!
Paylines and combinations: the payout table
The best way to keep track of one’s winnings is to compare the arrangement of symbols obtained at the stop of the reels with the specifics of the win table. This table is the main tool for interpreting payline results and allows you to calculate the correct value of each symbol based on its position. The payout table helps to define the outcome of a play by also considering the effect of any special symbols, such as the scatter symbol, wild symbol and multiplier symbol, so that you are always clear about the amount of your jackpot and can focus your attention on the game.
What are the most popular slot machines and their paylines?
After learning all the possibilities given by slot machine paylines, therefore, it’s time to put your new knowledge to your own: which online slot machines offer the most interesting paylines? Surely you can try one of these popular slots:
- Starburst slot: 10 paylines for a very bright game, an absolute explosion of diamonds is just waiting for you.
- Bonanza slot: this really special slot offers you up to 117,649 combinations on the paylines: it’s really worth trying your luck!
- Book of Ra: free slot machine of the most famous, along with Book of Ra Deluxe free, offers you 10 paylines and Ancient Egypt themed graphics.
- Blood Suckers slot: 25 paylines for a slot suitable for the brave, including vampires and surprise bonuses.
- Gonzo’s Quest slot: 20 paylines for this slot that will instantly transport you to ancient Peruvian ruins along with explorer Gonzo.
- Extra Chilli Slot: Just like bonanza, this all-spice slot offers you 117,649 combinations and as many as six reels to play.
- Fruit Shop slot: 15 paylines-a great number of combinations for this fresh fruit-based and very lucky slot!
- Victorious slot: this online slot machine puts five reels and 243 paylines at your disposal: a trip to Ancient Rome has never been so interesting.
- Book of Dead slot: five reels and 10 paylines: no messing around with archaeologist Rich Wilde on a mission to Ancient Egypt.
Is it better to play slot machines with single or multiple paylines?
Each of the two modes has its pros and cons: in single-win-line slots the results are easier to understand, since it will be enough to observe the slot machine symbols appearing in the only payline allowed, but they will also be obviously more limited; in multiple-win-line slots, on the other hand, it will be necessary to pay more attention when consulting the payout table, but since the possible combinations are many more than in the first case the results will also be more exciting.
What is the purpose of the winnings tables?
The winnings table is an essential tool for juggling the jackpots accumulated during one’s play. In fact, the table’s function is to establish the position of the winning combinations of the selected paylines, to take into account not only the results obtained but also the action of certain special symbols such as the wild symbol, which when it appears without warning can replace the value of other symbols present in the payline, or the multiplier symbol, which can multiply the result of the play.