Slots have changed a lot. They used to be small slot machines with three reels and only one payline. Now, those come in various forms for players to get winnings.
The two most common ones? These are payline slots and ways-to-win ones. Payline versions remain traditional. That is, you can only succeed if symbols fall on some particular lines. Ways-to-win slots? Those offer you a bag full of opportunities to win by getting the symbols to appear anywhere on the adjacent reels.
But that begs the question: which one fares better? This piece breaks this down in simple terms. Read on to decide what’s best for you.
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What Are Payline Slots?
First off, payline slots. Those have been around for a long time. Several years ago, everything was much simpler. One had to line up three matching symbols in one straight horizontal line. This line was the only payline on the machine.
Now, payline games have come a long way. Modern versions offer multiple paylines, sometimes even hundreds! These paylines run not just horizontally. They may run diagonally, may zig-zag across reels, and make all sorts of patterns.
Just consider a 5-reel slot with 25 paylines. You have 25 opportunities to win. Anytime the matching symbols drop on any of those lines, you get paid. This brings excitement into the game and gives you more opportunities to come out on top.
Key Features
- Fixed or Adjustable Paylines: There are payline slots that you get to decide just how many of them you want to be active. The number of pay lines determines the total staking amount since each coin goes to a pay line.
- Payouts Vary by Symbol: Regarding the payline, symbols will have different payout rates depending on which symbol matches. Special symbols often have a higher payout than regular ones on the reels.
- Winning Requires a Pattern: To win, the matching symbols must appear on the reels’ activated line. This could be a horizontal one, diagonal, or a zig-zag form across the reels.
What Are Ways-to-Win Slots?
That’s a new twist where you will get extra opportunities to come out on top. Different from payline versions where you must align the symbols in a certain fashion to win. The precise position on each reel is unimportant in these slots so long as the corresponding symbols fall in the correct sequence.
This makes winning far easier since players have more opportunities to hit a payout. Games may have many possible combinations. Some games have 243, and some can have up to 1024!
Due to the abundance of winning opportunities, it is suitable for lovers of fast rates with a lot of action. The more combinations are possible, the hotter the action gets!
Key Features
- More Chances to Win: Compared to payline options, ways-to-win slots give you more chances to succeed. There is no need to align the symbols in a specific sequence. You only need to get the same symbols at the reels next to each other.
- Multiple Winning Combinations: These games may offer several options on the number of combinations for winning. Certain games are opportunities to win 243 times; the probability can advance up to 1,024 times!
- Different Reel Layouts: These versions may be set up in a different configuration to the reels compared to traditional slots. They can have more spirit and rows and reels, so there is more likelihood to have other combinations of the symbols.
Key Differences Between the Two Types
| Features | Payline Slots | Ways-to-Win Slots |
| Flexibility | Fewer chances to win per spin | More flexibility with winning combinations |
| Payline Patterns | Requires symbols to line up on certain patterns | Symbols can land anywhere on adjacent reels |
| Reel Layout | Usually fewer reels and paylines | Often more reels and rows |
| Game Pace | Slower | Faster-paced |
For detailed examples, check out elk studios slot games which offer both traditional payline formats and innovative ways-to-win mechanics.
Final Thoughts
Deciding between the two types of slots depends on the type of entertainment you want to get. Payline games bring you simple slots with easy-lined sequences. Ways-to-win options provide more opportunities and stylish playing.
Payline games are the best for lovers of real slots. But if you desire to spend more time on the slot machine and ensure you have plenty of options to hit the line, ways-to-win ones are the best for you.
Either way, both options offer plenty of fun!
