Paylines and ways to win

Find the active lines

The rules explain how many lines are available, whether they are fixed and how symbols must line up. Confirm the selected bet configuration.

Lines, ways and clusters are different

A payline is a specified path across reels; a ways system can count adjacent symbols across reels; a cluster system groups touching symbols.

Check which method the exact game uses because a winning shape in one system may not count in another.

Confirm how many lines are active

Some titles let you choose lines or stake per line; others activate all lines automatically. Review the total wager shown before spinning, not only the amount next to one line.

The paytable explains whether a line must start on the first reel and how wilds affect it.

Know the alternatives

Ways-to-win and cluster-pay games use different matching rules. Do not assume that every slot uses a left-to-right payline.

Check whether stake is per line or total

A control may display the stake per line, the number of active lines and the total wager as separate values. Read all three before spinning.

If the title activates all lines automatically, changing the coin size can still change the total exposure; confirm the final amount on the control.