Slots Paylines vs Ways to Win
Whether you prefer video slots or the classic versions that are like the original one-armed bandits that were first seen at the beginning of the 20th century, you’ll be familiar with the concept of paylines. Games have different amounts of them, and some pay right to left as well as left to right, but they are always there. However, there’s another type of pay structure that is being seen increasingly often in casino games; Ways to Win.
Hundreds of Ways to Win
Ways to Win games usually involve at least 5 reels. Each reel has certain positions which pay out when specific symbols land on them. Rather than particular icons having to land in set positions on every reel, as is the case with paylines, each symbol that lands in its designated spot pays out individually.
The more symbols that land in the right position, the more you are paid out. If, for example, 3 icons are in the right position you get more than if 2 are and less than if 4 are. Each of these possible payouts is a “Way to Win”, so there are hundreds of possible wins on every single spin.
The best pokies app options most commonly offer games with 243 or 720 Ways to Win, but some also feature titles with 1024 or even 3125 Ways. The number depends on how many paying reel positions there are. In a typical 720 Ways game, there are 3 spots on the 1st and 5th reels, 4 spots on the 2nd and 4th reels, and 5 spots on the 5rd reel, In total, this is 3x4x5x4x3, or 720, Ways to Win.
More Money for Smaller Stakes
There are many more winning possibilities in Ways to Win than in conventional payline slots, especially since if there is more than 1 icon of the same symbol on a single reel multipliers are applied to reward you even more. The practical effect of this is that it’s possible to win a more with a relatively small wager than it is on traditionally-paying games. If you’re on a tight budget, Ways to Win might well be your best option.
Another advantage of Ways over paylines is that you don’t face the frustration of seeing a few of the symbols you need for a payout, but not all of them lined up on a certain line. If this has ever happened to you, you already know how crushing that can be! Because of the lower frustration level and more frequent payouts, as a very general rule of thumb Ways slots are better for beginners. When you’ve had some experience and want to try your luck for a bigger win, go for the old-school paylines.
Great Game Themes
Whatever pay structure a game has, what most players love about the top online pokie titles are their themes and designs. From Microgaming’s Avalon, inspired by the legends of King Arthur to the Sci-Fi world of NetEnt’s Wild-O-Tron 3000, the detailed and engaging plots are a huge part of these games’ appeal. New releases with both structures are rolled out regularly, ensuring that everyone’s tastes are accommodated.
