From 1 - 100, slot paylines are as varied as the game themes, if not more so. But is there an optimum number to aim for?

We set out the payline options for online slot games, and make suggestions about where to play for free - with the possibility of redeeming real prizes.

Social Casino Bonus

4.6/5

Social Casino Bonus

4.6/5

35 SC FREE and 1.75M WOW Coins

Welcome Bonus

|

T&Cs apply, 18+

Go to Wow Vegas

Get Bonus

Slot paylines - what are they?

A win on an online slot is recorded when matching symbols connect in a certain way, often involving paylines. You can see this mechanic at its most basic in 888 Dragons, by Pragmatic Play. With just three reels, four dragon symbols and one payline, the aim is simply to line up dragons to match the paytable alongside the game.

Slot games usually have at least 5 paylines, even when they only have three reels, but this increases for five-reel games. The payline structures can be viewed by checking out the slot’s paytable and rules, where they tend to be tacked on at the end. Matching up symbols from left to right along a payline awards a win.

10 payline slots

‘Book of’ slots all share the same mechanics regardless of the developer, although now and again there are a couple of slight twists. They always come with 10 paylines and a Wild symbol substitute that also acts as the game’s Scatter symbol. Landing 3 at once triggers the free spins bonus round, with one symbol selected to act like an Expanding Scatter symbol to generate additional Coin awards.

Over at WOW Vegas there’s the chance to try Book of Tombs, by Booming Games. The free spins can be retriggered an unlimited number of times, giving up to 9 Expanding Symbols for impressive winning potential. Most games in the franchise are based around the theme of Ancient Egypt, but Pragmatic Play has gone out on a limb with Book of Vikings, giving an established game its own unique treatment.

100 payline slots

If there’s one thing we love here at BILPlay, it’s choice. And Pragmatic Play certainly gives us that with a variety of options for a fruit-based game. Shining Hot 100 comes with 5 reels, 4 rows and a whopping 100 paylines. There’s a Wild and a Scatter Pays mechanic too, making this a fruit-lovers dream. If 100 paylines is a stretch too far, there are other games in the series offering 5, 20 or 40 paylines instead.

Social Casino Bonus

4.6/5

Social Casino Bonus

4.6/5

35 SC FREE and 1.75M WOW Coins

Welcome Bonus

|

T&Cs apply, 18+

Go to Wow Vegas

Get Bonus

Play free slots with real prizes available

From introductory bonus offers to claiming free Sweepstakes Coins by post, we aim to provide you with information that will add extra value to your gaming. So we’ve gone the extra mile to come up with a special Stake.us promo code offering an ongoing 5% rakeback deal. And extra free Coins means you’ll have even more opportunities to spin up matching symbols across the paylines of your choice.