Slots are more popular than table games like roulette or blackjack. Whether you’re talking about brick-and-mortar venues or online casino sites, these classic games always come out on top. But are there any strategies to help you win when playing such games?

Take a look at what you can do when playing on slots with more than one payline, and how to maximize your chances of success.

What Is a Multi-Payline Slot Machine?

The earliest slots were simple devices comprising three reels. The aim was to line up matching symbols across the middle line. Any other symbols that didn’t rest upon that central row, known as a “payline,” were irrelevant.

However, slots have come a long way since the first games of the 1890s. Modern slots, either online or physical devices, almost always contain multiple paylines. With additional lines in play, it’s easier to form winning combinations, leading to a feeling of increased action and more overall excitement. 

The following advice will help you to increase your chances of winning at multi-payline slots.

Make Peace With Variance

It’s important to understand that the result of individual sessions will be determined exclusively by luck. Due to their inherently random nature, casino slots are extremely unpredictable. However, you can certainly employ some tips and tricks to devise a slot-winning strategy.

Believe it or not, there’s a fair bit of science behind slots. Firstly, every single spin is determined by RNG (random number generator) software. Simply put, there’s nothing you can do to influence the outcome. Making peace with this fact will allow you to treat slots for what they are: a form of entertainment.

Return To Player

That said, it’s still a good idea to pay attention to a game’s RTP (return to player) value. This factor indicates the theoretical output over an infinite period of time. A 98% RTP basically means that, for every $100 fed in, $98 is paid out. So, the higher the RTP, the better for you.

Volatility

Some games are intentionally designed with high-volatility natures, meaning you could potentially see long streaks without winning. But, when the rewards do come along, they’ll most likely be higher than the average slot. 

Conversely, low-volatility slots pay out far more frequently, but the prizes are smaller as a trade-off. If you’re the type to get frustrated easily, make sure you play lower-volatility games to avoid tilting and losing control of your play.

Understand the Mechanics

Another fundamental part of a winning online slots strategy is to make sure you understand the game’s rules. A good place to start is by trying your chosen slot in demo mode first so you can learn how it works while preserving your bankroll.

Aside from the number and type of paylines involved, there might be countless features, bonus rounds, and gameplay elements to think about. If you don’t understand the basic mechanics of a game, how can you possibly expect to win in the long term?

Types of Payline

So, old-school slots offered a single payline that ran horizontally from left to right. Today, slot games feature all kinds of patterns, including diagonal and vertical lines, and even zig-zag shapes.

Although many reel configurations exist, since the birth of internet slots, the 5×5 grid setup (five reels and five rows) has become known as the classic layout. This setup might offer anything from 10–25 possible paylines, which can usually be adjusted. 

Playing with the maximum number of lines costs you more to place a bet since you’ll gain extra chances to win. So, if you have a smaller bankroll, you may wish to preserve it by opting for fewer lines. However, it’s almost always the best approach to max out the number of paylines, giving yourself every chance of winning.

Payline Mechanics

Slot developers have become increasingly creative. Big Time Gaming forever changed the face of slots gaming when it deployed its Megaways engine, for instance. These titles use paylines known as “ways to win,” but the number of rows on the reels is dynamic. Most Megaways slots begin at 243, but in some cases, that number can grow to one million potential ways to win.

More recently, game development studios have experimented with other formats, including cluster pays, pay both ways, and pay anywhere. Whatever unique mechanics are involved, if you don’t research it properly before playing, you aren’t giving yourself the best opportunity for success.

Progressive Jackpots

Some games offer fixed and progressive jackpots. The former is usually obtained by hitting a number of special symbols on a payline, rewarding you with a fixed prize. A progressive slot jackpot, on the other hand, continues to grow as players place bets. Each wager contributes a small amount to the ever-increasing prize fund.

If you wish to play a jackpot game, make sure you understand how to win before starting to play. Many of these products require you to play the maximum number of paylines to qualify. It would be tragic to believe you’ve won the jackpot only to realize you’re disqualified from the top prize because you played less than the maximum bet amount.

Perfect the Art of Money Management

No online gambling strategy guide would be complete without a reference to bankroll management, as this is almost exclusively what separates winners from losers. It doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are; if you don’t have the discipline to look after your money, you’re destined to fail.

Set aside a fixed amount that’s used exclusively for your slots play. Divide it into units that you would be happy to lose and win. If Lady Luck isn’t with you, make sure you walk away after losing the specified unit amount. Never chase losses or increase your stakes in the hopes of getting lucky.

Similarly, learn how to walk away when you win. Celebrate your victory, and remember that these games are supposed to be more about having fun than making money. You may also wish to limit your overall playing time so as not to risk chasing bigger wins.

Bonuses

A great way to bolster your bankroll is to collect the many different types of slots bonuses available from multiple casinos. Registering at a new site almost always comes with a deposit match bonus, as well as free spins on certain slots. You might even find a no-deposit bonus.

Stick around, and you’ll benefit from loyalty programs and other slots promotions too, including friend referral bonuses. Don’t overlook the importance of such deals in a long-term winning strategy.

Borgata: The Best Choice for Casino Online Betting

There are several reasons to play a multi-payline slot. The most obvious is that, with more lines in play, there’s a greater chance of hitting that winning combination. Such games tend to be more dynamic and exciting, too. Since slots are random, that additional entertainment value is what it’s all about. Register at Borgata Online today and enjoy hundreds of slots with all kinds of fixed and dynamic paylines.