Posted in Guides July 28, 2019
Paylines and Paytable on Online Slots – Learn How It Works
Online slots are the easiest casino games to play. All you have to do is set your bet, click ‘Spin’, and wait for at least 3 identical symbols to appear on the reels. If you land a winning combination, you’ll be rewarded with coin credits or even jackpots. The simplicity of the gameplay, along with exciting themes and jackpots, make online slots popular among players.
However, there are some in-game details and features that can be confusing for beginners. In this guide, we’ll explore the importance and role of paylines and the paytable in online slots. Understanding these concepts will enhance your slots experience.
How Do the Paylines and Paytable Fit Into the Picture?
When you read about online slots, you usually come across descriptions of the theme, the number of reels, jackpots, and special symbols. While these are important components, it’s equally crucial to understand the paylines and paytable and how they affect your gameplay.
Online Slots Paylines
If you’re a fan of online slots, you’re likely familiar with paylines. When you play online slots, you are often asked to choose the number of paylines you want to play. Paylines refer to the lines on which winning symbol combinations can appear. If a combination lands on a payline, you win.
Originally, slots had only one payline, requiring 3 matching symbols to land horizontally for a win. Nowadays, you can find online slots with 10, 20, 30, or even more paylines. Some game designers offer over 30 paylines in their games.
Some slots allow players to choose the number of paylines, while others have fixed paylines. For beginners, it’s recommended to start with a game that has 5 paylines or less, as it will help manage your bankroll. If you’re aiming for jackpots, opt for a slot with the highest number of paylines.
How Paylines are Designed and Arranged
Paylines in online slots can be straight lines, diagonal lines, or zigzag patterns. The way symbols are assessed for winning combinations depends on the payline orientation. Here are some popular payline orientations you’ll find in slots:
- Left to Right: Symbols are assessed from left to right, which is the standard orientation in most slots.
- Right to Left: Symbols must start from right to left for a win.
- Pay Both Ways: Symbols can create winning combinations from right to left or left to right.
- All Ways: These slots feature over 100 paylines, such as games with 243 ways to win.
- Cluster Pays: Requires forming a cluster of symbols to win. Popular games often require a cluster of 3 to 5 symbols for an instant win.
Now that you understand paylines, you can explore a variety of online slots to find the ones that suit your preferences. Games with 3 paylines include Bulls Eye and Major Millions, while Inferno Star offers 5 paylines. You’ll also find games with 9, 15, 20, 25, 243, or even 1,024 paylines.
Online Slots Paytable
In online slots, you win by matching identical symbols. To know which symbols bring instant wins, how many are required, and how much you can win, you need to check the game’s paytable. It provides an explanation of how winning combinations are formed and with which symbols.
The paytable is not automatically displayed when you open a game, so it’s important to know how to access it. In some games, you need to click ‘Settings’ or look for a question mark symbol to reveal the paytable. Accessing the paytable before playing with real money is essential.
The paytable provides details such as:
- Symbols: Different symbols and their corresponding coin values.
- Bonus features: Information about bonus features and how to activate them.
- Paylines: Illustrations of the payline diagrams used in the game.
- Free Spins: Explanation of how to activate and earn bonus spins.
- Jackpot: Instructions on how to unlock the jackpot prize.
- Game Rules: An explanation of the game’s rules.
The paytable may also include a ‘pick me bonus’ where players can choose a feature or mode to play. Additionally, it can explain the availability and mechanics of the ‘Gamble Mode’ feature. Understanding the paytable and its contents will guide you during gameplay.
The paytable can also provide information about high-paying and low-paying symbols, as well as the game’s Return to Player (RTP) percentage and volatility. Reading the paytable carefully won’t increase your chances of winning, but it will provide guidance.
If you need more information about online slot mechanics or want tips to choose the best online slots, browse our website and read our other articles focused on online slots. Don’t miss out on the Casino.Dev Navigator – Your Online Casino and Slot Glossary!
