Social casino slots follow the standard gameplay of clicking a spin button and waiting for a winning combination. Most of these games reward you only if you land up to a certain number of symbols on a payline. If you’re new to slot games, you may wonder what paylines are and how these symbols work. Keep reading as we answer common questions throughout this article.
How Do Paylines Work in Slots
Paylines are like the backbone of an online slot. They’re patterns on the grid where you land matching symbols to win. The number of paylines varies from one slot to another. While a game might have three possible win lines, others might have as many as 50.
The number of paylines in sweeps slots is included in their paytable. That’s why it’s best to check the paytable of an online slot to learn the basics. With this knowledge, you know the number of possible ways you can win when playing the game.
Types of Slot Paylines
There are two types of paylines: fixed and adjustable. Fixed paylines are permanently active on every spin, while adjustable ones can be changed to suit your preferences. Each one has its perks and downsides. For fixed win lines, you don’t have to worry about activating a certain number of patterns. On the flip side, these games usually have higher minimum play limits.
For adjustable paylines, you can decide the number of possible patterns that can form on the grid. The more active lines there are, the more coins you use on each spin.
Payline Arrangement
Paylines can be arranged in different ways, depending on the slot. The possible arrangements are as follows:
- Horizontal: These are the most common options inspired by old-school slot machines. They extend from one end of the row to another.
- Vertical: As the name implies, these paylines run from the top to the bottom of the reel.
- Zigzag: These paylines form V and W shape patterns on the reels. So, if a symbol falls on these patterns, you get a corresponding reward.
- Diagonal: A diagonal payline extends from one grid end to the opposite. For instance, a line runs from the top left to the bottom right corner.
Relationship Between Slot Paylines and Symbols
Every online slot has symbols, though the exact symbols you find depend on the game. For instance, a fruit-themed slot has watermelons, cherries, oranges, and hot 7s. On the other hand, you’ll find potions and books of spells in magic-themed slots.
Paylines determine how you can win, while symbols are the icons that fall on these lines. The same symbols must land on any of these paylines to be considered a win. Your reward also depends on the symbols that align with the patterns.
Each slot has low and high-paying symbols. If low-paying symbols fall on these paylines, your rewards are smaller than when high-paying icons align on the same payline.
Paylines, Symbols, and Bonuses
As we already mentioned, paylines are key to winning online slots. They’re also essential in triggering bonus features. In most games, bonus rounds start when three or more scatters or special symbols appear on the grid.
Some slots require these special icons to fall on paylines for the bonus game to start. In others, the extra game or free spin round is triggered when these symbols appear anywhere on the reels, not necessarily on a payline.
Conclusion
Once you understand a slot’s paylines, you can determine the number of possible ways to form winning combinations. They tell you where symbols must land for you to get a reward. While these paylines might be essential in triggering bonus features, they don’t affect the game’s RTP or volatility.
