Paylines are one of the most important parts of any slot machine, and they help determine if players win. The traditional paylines were three-reel slot machines. These commonly have one, three, or five paylines.
As the casino industry has expanded, so have paylines and slots. For instance, the design of paylines has changed. Many slot paylines feature new paths, curved ones like zigzag lines, which can change the results of the game. Paylines even unlock a range of different bonuses now, far beyond a normal win or your average free spins bonus round.
In this guide, we will explain what paylines are, how they help decide your wins, and strategies on how you can improve your odds to challenge those pesky paylines.
What Are Paylines In Slots And How Do They Work?
Put simply, paylines are lines that cross symbols on a slot machine to determine a win based on the combination that has formed. Without paylines, players have no way of knowing how to win. Wihout them, winning combinations cannot be formed. But how do they work?
Well, paylines are not visible to the player and are intentionally designed to be in the background of the slot machine. Only do they become visible when you match those symbols and are due for a win! However, even if you can’t see them, casinos sometimes have paytable guides to show what symbols you need to land to win what prize.
Here, you’ll also find useful information, such as the maximum number of paylines per game. Although some paylines are fixed, meaning they cannot be changed, your only choice is how much you wager per spin.
Types Of Paylines
There are a range of different paylines that slot machines use, each with different shapes and winning potentials, but here are some common ones:
- Fixed Paylines – Paylines that cannot be changed and must be played on each spin. They increase your stake per spin, but you cannot miss a winning line objectively.
- Adjustable Paylines – As we said, some games let you choose the paylines, and these are adjustable paylines. In this case, if you choose fewer lines, you can bet lower, but your chances of winning decrease.
Payline Shapes
We have covered the two categories of paylines, but what about the shapes to look out for?
- Horizontal Paylines – Horizontal paylines are very common in slot games, and they run along each row. They’re a classic in slots.
- Diagonal Paylines – Paylines which run from one corner to the other, like the top right-hand corner to the bottom right-hand corner, and so forth.
- ZigZag Paylines – Paylines that run in a V or W shape from left to right.
- Vertical Paylines – Lines which run from the top to the bottom of the reel, and work the same as horizontal lines, needing a matching 3 symbols or more on the payline to win.
How Paylines Decide Your Win
As we’ve said, the more lines you play, the better chance of a win. If a machine has 30 paylines and a £0.10 line bet, for example, it would equal £3 per spin. If you half that and play 15 lines, it would cost you £1.50.
A tip here is to balance your risk and reward, which you do anyway when you select how many lines you want.
Tips For Winning Through Paylines
It is important to remember that outcomes on slots are random. They are influenced by factors such as volatility and slot mechanics, but strategy can help.
Here are some tips for winning through paylines, or boosting your chances of doing so.
- Play All Paylines – If a machine offers the chance, play all paylines! If you play them all, you can’t miss a win, so technically, your chances are higher.
- Try Out Game Demos – Playing the free demo versions of specific slots ensures you become familiar with payline structures. Start with your basic three-reel fruit machines, and then branch out into others.
- Utilise the Paytable – Find out what the game setup is through the paytable. Look at the paylines and see if they’re fixed or adjustable. You should know what you’re working with.
- Look Out For Bonus Features – Modern online slot machines have a host of bonus features, such as wilds and multipliers, that often influence paylines. See if your slot has any of these features to help boost your win.
Paylines: Final Thoughts
Paylines are the bread and butter of slots. They keep the game functional and have become a key component in revitalising online slots and reels into new structures. From the classic 5×3 paylines to the 243 Ways To Win, they have one goal: to increase your chances of winning.
However, it is important, like with every slot, we remember that outcomes are random. No matter how hard we try, a payline cannot be manipulated, because slot machines have no memory or predetermined outcomes.
