The Number of Paylines in Online Slots- Does it Matter?
A Brief Introduction to Online Casino Games
One of the easiest yet lucrative forms of online entertainment available today happens to be online casino games or slots. The multitude of fascinating slots from top tier providers such as Microgaming, Net Ent, Playtech, and others, are based on exciting themes like adventure, films, books, history or popular personalities, making it possible for a variety of players to relate to the games.
Also, the combination of attractive features like bonus games, free spins, an array of symbols and the ease to play these games have made online slots a top choice among gamers and continues to attract new and young players who are looking to explore similar avenues.
How Does Casino Slot Work – The Importance of Paylines
Casino games are it land-based or online come with a number of components like reels, rows, betting value, paytable, payout, payline, etc. A gamer is required to fully understand the importance and how each of the components work before starting to play the game as it will increase their chances of winning the game exponentially. Talking about paylines, it is unarguably one of the most important components of casino games.
Paylines also called bet lines or win lines are the lines where the payout will be awarded in the game whenever a winning combination appears there. In simpler words, paylines are the arrangement on the reels where symbols form a winning combination to reward gamers with instant wins. It is used to decide which combination will provide a win or a payout.
Paylines are not visible in the slot, but they appear as soon as a winning combination of symbols is formed on the reel. The slot draws a line used to indicate which payline triggered the win.
How Important Are the Number of Paylines in an Online Slot
Paylines are indeed a very important part of casino games. They tell a lot about how the game is going to reward its users. Since a different number of paylines in a slot lead to completely different types of games (for example, more number of paylines will reward with frequent or less payout and vice versa), it totally depends on the player what kind of casino slot they want to play.
The new players are advised to try the slot machines with adjustable and less number of paylines, as it decreases the chances of losing a big sum of money. Players should thoroughly read about the paylines before choosing the slot game.
History of Paylines
The first mechanical slot machine named Liberty Bell was invented somewhere in between 1885 and 1897. The slot offered 3 reels, 4 symbols, and just one payline.
In the 1990s, a majority of classic fruit pokies offered a single payline in land-based casinos where a gamer can win only if 3 same symbols appear on the reel horizontally. The world of online casinos has come really far since then.
With the advancement of technology and the introduction of online casino slots, the casino game manufacturers are able to experiment with their slots and provide new experiences to their gamers.
Today, players can choose to play slots which sometimes offer as many paylines as 243 or 1,024 paylines. With such a wide variety of options to choose from, it is important for them to know how to use paylines for their own benefit.
Types of Paylines Available in the Slot
Different casino slots offer different numbers of paylines. The number and type of payline in a game can be broadly classified between two categories given below:
- Fixed Paylines. Some slots by manufacturers offer fixed paylines that gamers cannot change in the game. A player is required to place a bet on all or no paylines before spinning the reels. Slots with fixed paylines offer more features comparatively. Some of the features available here include bonuses, multipliers, wild, scatter, free spins, and much more. They also offer a larger payout to their players.
Fixed payline slot games are popular among those who are willing to take more risks. They give an opportunity to win large but less frequent payouts. However; the chance of losing money in such slots also increases proportionally.
Generally, fixed payline slot machines offer 25-30 bet lines in a game.
- Adjustable Paylines. As the name suggests, slots with adjustable paylines allow a gamer to choose the number of paylines they want to play within the slot. A gamer can choose a minimum or a maximum number of paylines offered in the slot.
Adjustable payline slot games are more favourable for those with a small bankroll willing to bet a small amount of money at once. Even though they don’t offer a variety of features, but they do come with frequent wins for the players. The payout offered here is less compared to fixed-line games.
It must be pointed out that progressive jackpots are generally offered in adjustable payline games as it provides various ways to win the jackpot to the users. However, they must be careful while trying to win a progressive jackpot as often the main rule for winning the jackpot is to activate all the possible paylines.
The Design – Arrangement of Paylines
The design of the paylines varies from slot to slot. They depend on their orientation and how the winning combinations will be assessed in a game. Paylines are generally expressed in a straight line, diagonally, in a zig-zag, etc. Some of the most common arrangements or orientation of paylines offered in casino slots are given below:
- Left to right. This is a standard and most common form of arrangement of paylines. As the name suggests, symbols forming a combination are assessed from left to right to determine the winning combinations.
- Right to left. This orientation is the exact opposite of left to the right arrangement. Symbols are assessed from right to left in slots following this arrangement.
- Pay both ways. Slots with pay both ways option don’t care about the direction. Symbols that form winning combination rewards from both left and right sides; thus, increasing the chances of a win for a gamer.
- All ways. Such orientation of paylines is offered in slots which offer more than 100 paylines at once. Going by the name, they provide a win from all the directions.
- Cluster pays. A user is required to form clusters of symbols of reel to collect rewards. Three or five same symbols at once forming a cluster or group rewards a gamer with a coin prize.
Conclusion!
Free slots no download are gaining immensely popular among online game lovers these days. With so many features available in such games, a gamer should know in detail about all of them in order to secure the best results for themselves.
Paylines are certainly one of the most important parts of casino slots, and a lot can be deduced about the slots by just looking at the number and types of paylines offered in the slot.
Paylines typically decide your chances to win more/less frequently, through combinations of symbols, placed in various arrangements, and the money that you could invest.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What is the meaning of an active payline in a slot?
– Active paylines refer to the paylines that are currently in the play that is, winning combinations on those paylines will reward in wins. The term is used in the slot with adjustable paylines.
- How do I bet on paylines?
– To bet on paylines, players need to have an account with some real money on an online casino website. They also need to choose the number of paylines they want to play with in case of adjustable payline slots. Then they can simply decide their betting range to bet on payline and spin the reel to try their luck.
- Should I choose slots that offer a high or a low number of paylines?
– Choosing the number of paylines depends totally on the players. Both are beneficial in different ways, and a player can choose whichever fits their requirements while playing casino games.
- Which is better, more ora few active paylines?
– Paylines in slots are designed to help users win rewards. Reducing the number of paylines also reduces the chances to win while playing. So, if you are not completely cash strapped, it is better to play with more active paylines to win more rewards.