Understanding Paylines in Slots

There are a few casino games that are ubiquitous because of their history and popularity, and possibly the top of that list is the humble slot machine. They’ve been a mainstay of gambling for centuries because of their constant innovation and ability to freshen up gameplay. A big part of their appeal is also the dynamic approach to paylines. They have been added to decade-on-decade as developers look at new ways to entice new audiences and reward regular slot players. This guide will break down what exactly paylines are in slots, how to find the best for you, and the different kinds you can come across.

What are Paylines?

When playing at a slot machine, you will notice that there are usually three or five reels on the screen. These are the columns that contain the images and icons that populate a slot. Traditionally, these would have been things like cherries, melons, and the Liberty Bell. These will roll when you click spin until they eventually come to a stop and display a line of icons. The pattern that is displayed can be useless to you and not return anything. However, in some cases, there will be prizes paid out based on the combination of icons. This would be a payline!

A game can have multiple different combinations that will result in a win, so most slots will have a paytable that displays all the different paylines that you are able to achieve a win from. The paylines will often require you to get one icon multiple times, and this is where the ability to hold and nudge the reels on some slot machines comes in, allowing you to keep certain symbols and reroll others. That is just a simple round-up of paylines though as they can be so much more.

The Different Types of Paylines

As with the different themes that you can find in online slots, you will be able to find games that have all different kinds of paylines in an attempt to attract players and set themselves apart from one another. It’s key that you understand the paylines for the game you choose to play and study the pay line. These are just a few of the different paylines you can find.

• Horizontal: This is the standard option. From left to right, you will try to match symbols and get a winning pattern.
• Vertical: Here, the winning line will be confined to one reel. You will try to match the symbols up and down rather than left to right.
• Diagonal: These ones are a little bit like a hybrid of the previous two. The symbols will be in play both vertically and horizontally in one diagonal line across the reels.
• ZigZag: This is probably the most difficult payline to read. Think of it as multiple diagonal paylines in one, usually in the shape of a letter V or W. The paytables for these kinds of slots will often show an image of the reels with the pattern clearly marked for clarity.

Paylines will quite often require a player to get a symbol repeated multiple times across their chosen line (horizontal or vertical, etc.), but others will also include special symbols that you should look out for. For example, slots with wilds will have wild symbols that can replace symbols on the reels to make a winning payline. You should always read the rules of the individual slot you choose to see if this applies to you.

Choosing Your Paylines

It also has to be said that you’re not limited to just one payline in a slot game. Instead, some will offer multiple playlines, with some even mixing up the different types on offer in an attempt to make their game standout. However, you need to make sure you’re making the right choice when choosing games based on the number of paylines they do or don’t offer.

First, you should think about how the number of paylines on offer will affect your bankroll. Despite a higher chance for a win, with more paylines, your minimum bet is going to be higher as you’re placing a bet across a number of different options rather than on just one payline. As you’re not guaranteed a win, this will mean that you’re more likely to burn through the budget you set yourself before playing.

The inverse is true, also. If you choose a one-payline game, you will be able to use smaller bets.

If you’re looking to play a slot with more paylines, you should also make sure to read the paytables before playing. The more complex a winning combination appears to be, it might be best to stick to a game with fewer paylines and more simple gameplay. This is especially true if you’re unaware of how to play slots. Games will sometimes have the ability to select fewer or more paylines by upping or lowering the level in-game.