Payline slots have been the most popular type of slot games in casinos for years. However, there is a fresh class of slot games coming to the market – cluster pays. We delve into the concept of slot cluster pays, their differences from traditional payline slots and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Introduction to Paylines
Payline slots at RichRoyal Casino have been around since the first slot machines. They operate by giving players the chance to win when certain symbols land on enabled paylines – indicated paths across the reels. Most payline slots have configurable paylines, perhaps anywhere from 1 to 50 lines on a standard 5-reel game. Players can bet on 1+ lines and win if 3+ matching symbols hit those lines.
So in short, paylines indicate exactly where wins will occur. The more lines enabled, the more winning opportunities – but also a higher cost per spin. This core concept has remained unchanged over 100+ years of slot history.
What Are Slot Cluster Pays?
Cluster pays throw paylines out the window at RichRoyal Casino. Rather than specified paylines, any groupings of 3+ adjacent matching symbols pay. It doesn’t matter exactly where they land – as long as they clump together on adjacent reels. No paylines restrict winning patterns.
Most cluster pay slots utilize 5 or 6 reels rather than the classic 3 or 5 reels. More reels with more symbols make it easier to land clusters without needing paylines to connect wins.
For example, in the 88 Fortunes Megaways slot by SG Digital, wins occur when 6+ adjacent matching symbols land – regardless of on which reels or lines they hit. Anywhere a cluster forms, you win.
Comparing the Player Experience
How do these different types of slots actually differ from a player perspective? Here are some key pros and cons of both:
Payline slots:
- Familiar style – easy to understand for new & experienced players alike
- Wins clearly indicated by highlighted paylines
- Wins less frequent on average since paylines restrict winning patterns
Cluster pay slots:
- Winning combinations more flexible leading to more frequent payouts
- Higher volatility keeps the gameplay exciting
- Harder to immediately discern why wins occurred for new players
- Max betting less important since there are no fixed paylines
In summary, payline slots provide a classic, easy to understand experience while cluster pay slots offer more volatile, fast-paced play.
Popularity of Cluster Pays Growing
Payline slots aren’t going away anytime soon. But cluster pays are gaining steam across slot manufacturers and casinos worldwide.
Research from the Center for Gaming Innovation found over 25% of new slot machine titles feature cluster pays, up from less than 5% in 2015. And that’s translating to more cluster pay slots appearing on casino floors.
Why the rise? Cluster pay volatility and big win potential appeal to players. And lower development costs compared to expanding traditional reels and paylines have caught manufacturers’ eyes as well.
Popular Types of Online Slot Themes
| Theme Type | Examples | Appeal to Players | Development Cost |
| Branded | Narcos™, Game of Thrones™, Guns N’ Roses™ | Leverages existing fan bases of shows, music, celebrities | High due to licensing |
| Original | Dragon’s Legacy, Mystic Fortune | Creative freedom, tailor-made for platform demographics | Lower than branded |
| Seasonal/Holiday | Halloween Fortune, Santa Spins | Taps into timely moods and seasonal campaigns | Moderate |
| Adventure/Travel | Lost City Quest, Jungle Escape | Appeals to thrill-seekers and explorers | Moderate to high |
| Nostalgic/Retro | Pixel Fruits, Classic 777 | Attracts older players with a vintage vibe | Low to moderate |
Bottom Line
Slot clusters represent an innovative new take on classic slot machine play. Their flexibility amps up the excitement while removing restrictive paylines. Of course, payline loyalists can still enjoy their favorite classic slots. But for players and casinos seeking more volatility and winning action, cluster pays are proving a hit. The variety is great news for slots fans. And as cluster slots continue growing in popularity, they’re likely here to stay alongside paylines in casinos worldwide.