Do Multi-Line Slots Benefit Players More Than Other Slots?

With modern technology came the advent of complex online slots, including more dazzling themes, better graphics and visuals, and multi-line slots replacing the more traditional single-line games. Whether multi-line games benefit players more than single-line depends on your point of view and how much excitement and complexity you’re looking for. 

Some players prefer the simplicity of single-line slots, where they can easily see the symbol combinations line up to trigger a win. Players need their wits about them to track the multi-line games, which may play horizontally, vertically, or even diagonally. But what are the differences, advantages and disadvantages, and benefits to players of the two kinds of slots?

Multi-Line vs. Single Line Slots

Single-line slots derive from the old-fashioned one-armed bandit or fruit machine, in which symbols lined up along one payline to pay out wins. In single-line games, there are fewer symbols, making it easier to create winning combinations, but there are necessarily fewer of those combinations and, therefore, fewer betting options.

In multi-line online slot machines, the number of paylines varies enormously right up into the hundreds, and these slots win real money. Multi-line slots also offer more elaborate themes, from ancient civilizations to TV- and movie-themed games, games built around sports and animals, and much more.

Do Your Research

It’s worth doing a little research into the kinds of games you’re looking for and will enjoy playing at the same time as hopefully winning. In addition to picking a theme and choosing between multi- or single-line games, players can boost their odds of winning in a number of ways, including selecting a slot with a high return to player (RTP) percentage. RTP stats can change in games that offer multi-line bets, often not by much, but players should be aware of varying volatilities. 

Also, when playing multi-line games, players can consult the paytable to get a better picture of how different combinations pay out and how the slots bonus works. Perhaps you want to choose by theme or by volatility. Remember, you can play most games in practice mode even when you’re using a casino online app, so you get the feel of a game before committing real money.

Choose How Many Lines To Bet On

Some multi-line games have fixed paylines, and gamers have to play all active lines, but some offer players the option to choose the number of lines they want to bet on, making this better for managing your bankroll. At the same time as deciding on how many lines to bet on, players must also decide on the level of their bet and weigh up whether placing the max game bet will be worth it. In some games, you can go in with just a penny as your minimum bet, rising to hundreds of dollars, but bear in mind that the win will always be relative to the stake.

Complexity vs. Simplicity

Single-line slots are simple. There are generally only three rows, of which one is the payout line. Symbols spin and drop into alignment (or not), and players win accordingly. These games are also generally not very sophisticated to play, nor are they especially engaging, so for many players who enjoy immersive online casino games, they are not as much fun as multi-line slots.

Multi-line games offer more slots with bonuses and free spins incorporating all sorts of complex game variations. Win combinations can be vertical, diagonal, or horizontal, so it can be difficult to track wins as they land across so many active paylines. The good news is that the machine knows what and where the combinations are and will pay out automatically, but it’s helpful in terms of respins and possibly adding more to your wager if you can gauge how the game is progressing. In brick-and-mortar casinos, the more technically advanced the game, the more it may be vulnerable to misfiring. In this case, the slot may need resetting, which is always done by expert technicians on the casino floor.

The Choice Is Yours

Going back to the original question of whether multi-line slots benefit players more than other traditional, single-line games, it really depends on your appetite for managing a complex, visually stimulating game that has lots going on or spinning fewer reels with only one payline, with few bells and whistles to accompany the action. 

Both multi- and single-line games offer jackpot slots, and some offer progressive jackpots, which are worth checking out. Multi-line games indisputably offer a wider variety of themes that are more engaging. They also provide more winning opportunities, greater flexibility in betting options, and more bonus features, scatter symbols, and other enhancements that make them more enticing and enjoyable. 

Still, the popularity of single-line games can’t be ignored; some of the most loved include 7s Wild, Double Diamond, Triple Diamond, and Cleopatra. If you’re a slots novice, you can register with BetMGM to start playing some basic games or test your mettle with the wide variety of multi-line games that are on offer.