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Ultimate Guide to Slot Machine Paylines for Kiwi Players

Paylines determine whether your spin wins or loses on pokies. Some games use fixed paylines, while others reward adjacent matches or clusters of symbols. Regardless of the format, paylines underpin how winning combinations are evaluated.

Classic machines began with a single horizontal line. By the late 1980s, multi-line pokies had become popular in New Zealand pubs and clubs, offering more ways to win.

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Video slots then expanded this further, introducing dozens of paylines before moving on to systems like 243-ways and Megaways. Modern pokies often abandon traditional lines entirely, using cluster-based wins instead.

This guide explains these systems clearly and highlights why paylines matter, even in formats where they're not immediately visible.

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Types of Paylines Explained

The following are the main ways paylines are structured across different slot games:

Classic Fixed Paylines

In fixed-line pokies, the number of paylines stays the same on every spin. You can’t turn them off or reduce them. These setups are common across many video slots. For example, Gonzo’s Quest has 20 fixed lines, while Wolf Gold uses 25. Both games evaluate the same lines every round, without variation.

Adjustable Paylines

Some pokies let you decide how many lines to activate. If a game offers 20, you can reduce that to 15, 10, 5, or even just 1. Book of Dead is a clear example, allowing full control over its 10-line layout.

All Ways / 243 Ways to Win

These games don’t rely on fixed lines. Instead, winning combinations form when matching symbols land on consecutive reels starting from the left, regardless of their vertical position. This structure became well known through games like Thunderstruck II and Immortal Romance, both of which use 243 combinations across a standard 5x3 layout.

Because every reel position can contribute, these setups cover more possible combinations than traditional lines. Larger reel formats can increase the total even further, with some reaching 1024 ways or more.

Cluster Pays vs. Traditional Paylines

Cluster Pays games remove paylines completely. Instead of lining up symbols across reels, wins come from matching symbols that connect horizontally or vertically. Diagonals usually don’t count.

Aloha! Cluster Pays is a well-known example, using a 6x5 grid and requiring clusters of nine or more. These games often feature cascading mechanics where winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in to fill the gaps. Some also introduce multipliers tied to consecutive symbol drops.

Without fixed lines, results can be less predictable. A large cluster may return a strong result, while a nearly formed group might yield nothing.

Megaways™ Paylines and How They Work

Megaways slots replace traditional paylines with a shifting reel setup. On every spin, each reel can show a different number of symbols, usually between two and seven, which changes the number of possible combinations. With six reels typically active, that number can climb as high as 117,649. Bonanza Megaways played a key role in bringing this format into the mainstream. Wins form through matching symbols on consecutive reels from left to right.

These games typically display the active number of ways at the top of the screen. Many also feature cascading symbols, expanding reels, multipliers, and bonus rounds. Line selection is not part of the setup. Each spin automatically covers all available positions.

Number of Paylines and Their Impact

Below are the main payline ranges and how they affect the way a pokie plays:

  • Single Payline Slots: Seen in classic-style pokies like Mega Joker, these use one central line. The outcome is straightforward and usually tied to high-value symbols, giving the format a focused, retro feel
  • 5 to 25 Paylines: This range supports varied outcomes without overwhelming the layout. Book of Dead and Wolf Gold both fall here. Lines may be fixed or adjustable, and the interface usually makes combinations easy to track
  • 30+ Paylines: Games with 30 or more lines often feel more eventful. Many Aristocrat pokies use 40 or 50 lines, displaying multiple outcomes per spin. More lines generally mean higher minimum bets, especially in fixed-line setups
  • Progressive Jackpot Slots: Some pokies require all paylines to be active or a maximum bet to qualify for the jackpot. Mega Moolah, for example, uses 25 fixed lines, so full coverage is built in. In other titles, triggering the jackpot may depend on a specific symbol combination appearing on a particular line

How to Read a Payline Chart

Understanding paytables and payline charts gives a clearer idea of how wins are evaluated and what to expect from the reels.

Using the Paytable

Most pokies include a menu or info button that opens the paytable, which outlines symbol values and feature rules in addition to showing how winning lines are structured. In traditional line-based games, you’ll see diagrams showing numbered paylines across the reels. These lines may be straight, zigzagged, angled, or even V-shaped.

In Megaways or ways-to-win formats, line maps are replaced with a brief explanation of how wins form across adjacent reels. Notes like “pays both ways” or “only highest win per line is paid” are common and worth checking before spinning.

Recognising Winning Combinations

Once the reels stop, wins are usually shown with flashing symbols or highlighted paths. In line-based pokies, winning combinations must begin on the first reel and follow a valid line. Combinations outside these lines do not count. Wilds can help complete these sequences, while scatters follow their own placement rules and typically pay regardless of position.

Understanding Payouts by Line and Bet Size

Potential payouts are based on how much you bet per line. Most paytables list wins as multipliers of the line bet, not the total bet. For example, if your total bet is $2 across 20 lines, each line carries $0.10. A potential payout value of “50” means 50 times $0.10, which equals $5.

In adjustable-line games, spreading the same total bet over more lines lowers the per-line value and reduces the return per win. Scatter wins usually apply to the full stake, not individual lines. As mentioned earlier, most pokies only pay the highest win on a given line, even if multiple combinations land there.

Strategy: Choosing the Right Payline Setup

Your line setup shapes how a pokie plays. This section looks at how to choose one that fits your style.

Understanding RTP and Volatility in Relation to Paylines

Line count doesn’t affect a pokie’s official RTP or volatility rating, but it does influence how those traits play out. Games with more lines tend to show frequent smaller outcomes, while those with fewer lines may have longer gaps between wins but hit harder when they land.

The return rate stays the same, but the feel of the session shifts based on coverage. Keeping all lines active helps prevent missing results that would otherwise qualify.

Managing Your Bankroll and Bet Size by Paylines

Set a clear budget before spinning. A common approach is to keep each spin within 1-2% of your total bankroll. This helps extend your session and reduce the risk of early losses.

In adjustable-line pokies, it’s usually better to lower the per-line bet rather than turn off paylines. This keeps all combinations in play and avoids missing potential wins. For example, with a $50 bankroll, keeping bets around $0.50 per spin means 100 spins. You could reach that by playing 50 lines at $0.01 rather than raising the line value and reducing your chances.

Fast spins can quickly drain your balance. Slowing down, taking regular pauses, setting a loss limit, or choosing a walkaway point can help you stay in control. When using bonuses, look for pokies that allow low bets across many lines. This makes it easier to meet wagering requirements without putting your bankroll under pressure.

Here’s how paylines and ways-to-win play out in some of the most popular pokies available to Kiwi players on LeoVegas New Zealand.

Top Slot Games with Fixed Paylines in New Zealand

These pokies stick to set paylines, offering straightforward play with familiar mechanics:

  • Starburst (NetEnt): 10 fixed lines and both ways pays. Expanding wilds keep the action steady
  • Wolf Gold (Pragmatic Play): 25-line setup with full wild reels and simple bonus triggers
  • Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt): Uses 20 fixed lines and cascading reels. Each spin covers the same layout, and wins trigger a symbol drop followed by a multiplier increase

These titles skip traditional lines and pay for symbol matches on consecutive reels:

  • Thunderstruck II (Microgaming): One of the earliest 243-ways games, valued for its consistent pace and uncluttered screen
  • Immortal Romance (Microgaming): Builds on the 243 setup with darker themes and expanding features
  • Rugby Star (Microgaming): A 243-ways slot with rolling reels and stacked wilds

Noteworthy Megaways™ Games Loved by Kiwis

Fast-paced formats with changing reels and stacked features have made these Megaways titles local favourites:

  • Power of Thor Megaways (Pragmatic Play): Features a horizontal bonus reel and a hammer mechanic that can turn reels wild. High volatility with structured features
  • Great Rhino Megaways (Pragmatic Play): Safari theme with expanding symbols and increasing multipliers
  • LeoVegas Megaways (Blueprint Gaming): Exclusive to LeoVegas NZ. Packs standard Megaways features with custom branding for a local twist

Paylines and Bonus Features

Below are how free spins, wilds, multipliers, and cascades interact with a game’s payline setup.

Free Spins and Payline Activation

Free spins usually keep the same payline or ways-to-win setup that was active when triggered. If you were playing all lines in the base game, they stay active during the bonus. Older slots might limit rewards if some lines were turned off, but this is rare in newer titles.

What often shifts is how wins behave. Games may introduce expanding symbols (like Book of Dead), win multipliers, added wilds, or reel expansions. Some Megaways slots increase the number of ways during free spins, often reaching the full 117,649 combinations.

In some cases, you can choose between more spins with lower multipliers or fewer spins with higher ones. The structure stays fixed, but the added features can lead to stronger outcomes.

Multipliers and Payline Expansion

Multipliers increase the value of winning combinations and usually appear in two ways. Some are linked to wilds, affecting the outcome when a wild helps complete a result. Others trigger during features, applying to all wins on that spin.

In some slots, multipliers are paired with expanded reels. Extra rows or columns can appear mid-feature, raising the number of possible paylines or ways to win. Some games also switch to both-ways mechanics during these rounds, allowing wins from left to right and right to left.

Other mechanics like wild reels or symbol overlays don’t change the number of lines but still open up more chances for multiple outcomes within the standard layout.

Cascading Wins and Payline Shifts

Some pokies add multipliers with each consecutive cascade, especially during bonus rounds. This builds momentum within a single spin, creating more chances for follow-up wins.

Expanding reels, shifting wilds, locked symbols, or transforming icons can also reshape the layout mid-feature, opening new win paths even when the number of paylines remains unchanged.

Wilds, Scatters, and How They Interact with Paylines

Wilds can contribute to several line wins at once, especially when they appear in expanding, sticky, stacked, or shifting forms.

As noted earlier, scatters don’t follow payline rules. They typically trigger features or rewards based on count alone, making them effective in non-linear setups.

Some bonus symbols behave like scatters but require landing on specific reels rather than appearing anywhere. This explains why certain symbols pay outside expected patterns, while others don’t register, even if they appear aligned.

Common Mistakes Kiwi Players Make with Paylines

Misreading how paylines function can lead to avoidable errors. Here are a few examples and how to avoid them:

  • Overbetting on All Lines: It’s easy to underestimate how quickly costs add up when every line is active. Some players focus on the per-line value without noticing how it multiplies across the board. Keeping an eye on the full stake, not just the line amount, helps avoid unintentionally overspending, especially during longer sessions
  • Ignoring the Paytable: Skipping the paytable means missing key details, like which directions paylines follow or how the wilds and scatters behave. It also outlines symbol values and feature conditions. Playing without reading it leaves you guessing how wins are formed
  • Misunderstanding Bonus Triggers: Certain features only activate when symbols land on specific reels or with all lines in play. If you skip the rules, you might misread near misses or overlook jackpot conditions. Always review how bonus rounds are triggered before spinning

Slot Paylines FAQ

What is a slot payline?

A slot payline is a specific pattern on the reels of a slot machine where matching symbols must land to create a winning combination. Paylines can be straight, zigzag, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

The number of paylines in a slot machine can vary from one to over 100, depending on the game.

Some slots have fixed paylines, which means that you must bet across all available lines during a spin, while others have variable paylines that allow you to choose the number of paylines you want to bet on.

How do slot paylines work?

To win, you need to land the same symbols on successive reels on a payline running from left to right, so from reel one, two, three, and so on. However, some games pay both ways, and you can win on a payline regardless of its direction.

How many paylines can a slot machine have?

There isn’t a particular number of slot machine paylines. The provider decides how many lines the game will have. As a result, you’ll find varying slot machine paylines. Some might have only one; others might have over one thousand. The more slot machine paylines, the better the chances of landing wins.

Are slot paylines always horizontal?

No, slot machine paylines are not always horizontal. They could be vertical, diagonal, zigzag, or any other pattern the provider deems fit. If you want to learn what patterns these slot machine paylines have, check the paytable.

How to check the number of paylines in online slots?

You can check the number of slot machine paylines in the game’s paytable. To do this, click on the information icon on the gaming window. This will open up a new page where you’ll find details of the modern slot machines in the game. Besides the number of paylines, you’ll learn their patterns and how they pay.

Are more paylines better in slots?

More slot machine paylines are better because they increase your chances of landing a winning combination. For instance, you play two different 5-reel slots, one with 10 paylines and the other with 50. You have a better chance of landing a win in the game with 50 slot machine paylines than with the one with only 10 paylines.

What do the lines mean on pokies?

Lines are the short form of paylines. Hence, they specify how symbols must line up for players to get a payout. The number of lines varies from one game to another.

What is the difference between paylines and ways to win?

Paylines are usually smaller than ways to win; they range from one to 100 lines. Anything above this is tagged "ways-to-win." A good example is an online slot game with 243 ways to win. Slots with multiple ways to win offer players the chance of landing more winning combinations.

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