Today, there are many different types of online slots, each with a unique twist on the classic slots experience. You have games with cascading reels that give you extra chances to win, slots that pay out when symbols are clustered, and even games where the number of reels and rows can change when you play. But one of the most common and popular game mechanics that has been added to slots is also one of the most simple. That game mechanic is multi-line wins.

Carry on reading to learn about paylines and how they are connected to multi-line slots, what multi-line slots are, why they’re so popular, how they work, how to play multi-line slot machines, and some of the most popular multi-line slots.

Understanding Paylines

Before unpacking multi-line slots, it’s important to understand another connected game mechanic. A slot machine has lines (or combinations) of symbols that reward players called paylines. When slot machines were first invented, there was only a single payline that ran across the middle of each game reel. However, once slot machines changed from mechanical machines to digital devices, game developers could introduce all sorts of new mechanics, like scatters, wilds, and multipliers. It’s this shift that led to the introduction of multi-line slots.

What Are Multi-Line Slots?

As mentioned earlier, where the first slot machines only had one payline that ran across the middle of the reels, today, a multi-line game has multiple paylines that come in a wide range of patterns. This variety of patterns gives a player multiple ways to win, making them incredibly appealing to gamblers.

Even though their names sound familiar, multi-line slots are not to be confused with multiplayer slots. Multiplayer slots involve numerous players joining together to try and win, while multi-line slots are simply slot games with multiple winning lines. 

How Do Multi-Line Slots Work?

But how do slot machine lines work with multi-line slots?

The first part is simple. You make a deposit, place a bet, spin the reels, and if you land a winning combination, you’ll win. This makes a multi-line slot as easy to play as a regular single-line slot. 

However, these games can also be complex because multi-line slots don’t always offer multiple lines. Some of these games have various conditions to activate multiple lines, and others only activate multiple lines if you get lucky. This means that this slot mechanic can vary from game to game or even spin to spin.

How To Play Multi-Line Slot Machines

The way you play a multi-line slot machine will depend on which multi-line game mechanic the game uses. Here are some of the different types of multi-line game mechanics that can affect the outcome of each game.

Adjustable Paylines

In this multi-line system, the more players wager, the more paylines they activate, increasing their chances of winning.

Fixed Paylines

In a fixed payline slot, you must wager on every payline. This means that your total wager will be evenly split across every payline. While your chances of winning go up, your wins won’t be as big as on other slots since your wager for each payline is smaller.

243 Ways To Win

This game mechanic only requires you to land three or more matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the left and ending on the right.

With its variable reels that change with each spin, Megaways is the ultimate multi-line game format because it offers players an incredible maximum of 117,649 ways to win, with paylines shifting each time the reels start spinning.

There are other types of multi-line systems, so make sure you check the rules of a game you’re interested in before you play.

Why Are Multi-Line Slots So Popular?

At a glance, it’s easy to see why multi-line slots are so popular. These games offer many more winning combinations than traditional single-line slots, making them immediately more appealing to players. After all, who wouldn’t want more ways to win? 

However, even if you do place a bet on a game that has hundreds of paylines, ultimately, the return to player -RTP- is what decides how likely you are to land a win. If a game has an RTP of 97% but only one payline, you’re still more likely to win than if a game has an RTP of 95% and hundreds of paylines.

While that may be the main appeal of this type of slot game, it’s not the only reason so many people enjoy these games. Multi-line slot games can also be more exciting, with players landing unexpected wins due to the sheer number of paylines available, which you would never experience playing a single-line slot.

Popular Multi-Line Slots

There are many great multi-line slots for you to enjoy when you’re gambling online. Here are a few of these exciting games:

• 88 Fortunes (SG Interactive).
• Buffalo (Aristocrat).
• Ghostbusters Triple Slime (IGT).
• Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt).
• Jungle Jim El Dorado (Microgaming).
• Lil’ Devil (Big Time Gaming).
• Viking Runecraft (Play’n GO).
• Zeus III (WMS).

Spin the Reels on Your Favorite Slots at Borgata Online

No matter what type of online slot machines you like to play, there’s a great selection of games for you at Borgata Online. At this online casino, you can spin to explore ancient lost civilizations, delve into dangerous undiscovered wilds, or launch into the darkest depths of space in search of big wins. 

And if you love to try your luck at other gambling experiences, once you’ve signed up at Borgata Online, you can also try your hand at bingo, table games, live dealer gambling, and even sports betting. 
A world of gambling excitement awaits you when you register at Borgata Online.