Number of lines and reels: how it affects the game
1) Basic elements
Drums: vertical columns on which symbols "fall." Classics - 3, modern standard - 5, there are variations 6-7.
Paylines - A set of fixed or custom combinations that generate wins.
Ways (243/1024/117649 Megaways): an option where the payout goes "from left to right" when coinciding on adjacent reels, without fixed lines.
2) Influence of number of reels
3 reels: limited number of combinations, simple math, low/medium volatility, predictability.
5 reels: industry standard; more symbols, wider paytable, added bonuses.
6-7 reels: used in modern mechanics (Megaways, cluster pays), create huge path variations, more often high volatility.
Practice: The more reels, the higher the potential for large factors and variance, but the more complex the structure of the game.
3) Effect of number of lines
1-9 lines: classic "fruit" scheme; the bet is controlled, winnings are frequent, but small.
20-40 lines: the gold standard of modern video slots; the frequency of winnings is higher, the balance of small/medium payments is better.
50-100 lines and above: increase the frequency of combinations, but the average payout per line is lower; the rate increases when all lines are included.
Ways (243/1024): in fact "all possible lines" → high frequency of wins, often medium-high volatility, bonuses become key.
Conclusion: more lines do not increase RTP, but redistribute payouts and change the perception of variance.
4) RTP and variance
RTP (Return to Player) is fixed by the provider, does not depend on the number of lines/reels.
Variance is directly related to the number of combinations:
5) Bet and bankroll
Bet formula: 'Bet = line × coin × denom'.
More lines = higher total bet (if you activate all).
Experienced players advise turning on all lines on the minimum coin to smooth out the variance.
In "ways" slots, the entire bet is fixed (lines are not selected).
Practice: bankroll count by the number of Total Bet at a distance of 200-600 spins.
6) Game perception
3 × 3 with 1-5 lines: fast counting, simple visualization, predictability.
5 × 3 with 20-40 lines: a more dynamic game, many small payments, bonuses are more diverse.
Megaways/cluster 6 × 6/7 × 7: visually intense sessions, less often large drifts, high emotional "overclocking."
Conclusion: the more reels/lines, the higher the engagement, but it is more difficult to assess the frequency and structure of winnings "by eye."
7) Practical selection checklist
1. Purpose of the session:
Drums: vertical columns on which symbols "fall." Classics - 3, modern standard - 5, there are variations 6-7.
Paylines - A set of fixed or custom combinations that generate wins.
Ways (243/1024/117649 Megaways): an option where the payout goes "from left to right" when coinciding on adjacent reels, without fixed lines.
2) Influence of number of reels
3 reels: limited number of combinations, simple math, low/medium volatility, predictability.
5 reels: industry standard; more symbols, wider paytable, added bonuses.
6-7 reels: used in modern mechanics (Megaways, cluster pays), create huge path variations, more often high volatility.
Practice: The more reels, the higher the potential for large factors and variance, but the more complex the structure of the game.
3) Effect of number of lines
1-9 lines: classic "fruit" scheme; the bet is controlled, winnings are frequent, but small.
20-40 lines: the gold standard of modern video slots; the frequency of winnings is higher, the balance of small/medium payments is better.
50-100 lines and above: increase the frequency of combinations, but the average payout per line is lower; the rate increases when all lines are included.
Ways (243/1024): in fact "all possible lines" → high frequency of wins, often medium-high volatility, bonuses become key.
Conclusion: more lines do not increase RTP, but redistribute payouts and change the perception of variance.
4) RTP and variance
RTP (Return to Player) is fixed by the provider, does not depend on the number of lines/reels.
Variance is directly related to the number of combinations:
- fewer lines → less often wins, but higher bet per line,
- more lines → wins smaller, but more often.
- Ways/cluster pays: high flow of "small hits" + rare large bonuses.
5) Bet and bankroll
Bet formula: 'Bet = line × coin × denom'.
More lines = higher total bet (if you activate all).
Experienced players advise turning on all lines on the minimum coin to smooth out the variance.
In "ways" slots, the entire bet is fixed (lines are not selected).
Practice: bankroll count by the number of Total Bet at a distance of 200-600 spins.
6) Game perception
3 × 3 with 1-5 lines: fast counting, simple visualization, predictability.
5 × 3 with 20-40 lines: a more dynamic game, many small payments, bonuses are more diverse.
Megaways/cluster 6 × 6/7 × 7: visually intense sessions, less often large drifts, high emotional "overclocking."
Conclusion: the more reels/lines, the higher the engagement, but it is more difficult to assess the frequency and structure of winnings "by eye."
7) Practical selection checklist
1. Purpose of the session:
- even play → fewer reels, more fixed lines,
- skid hunt → 6-7 drums, Megaways/cluster. 2. Bankroll:
- small budget → minimum coin and all lines,
- medium/high → can be risked with a higher bid on "ways." 3. Volatility:
- low/medium for long game,
- high for a chance at a large multiplier. 4. Speed of perception:
- if you don't want to follow the complex interface → retro slots,
- if drive and visual show are important → modern multi-reels.
- classic (3 × 3, ≤9 lines): 150-250 bets,
- standard (5 × 3, 20-40 lines): 250-400 bets,
- high-volatility (6 × 6/Megaways): 400-600 bets.
- Bankroll bet: 'Bankroll ÷ planned spins'.
- Wait (EV): same in any format if RTP is → 'EV = × rate (RTP − 100%)'.
8) Mini formulas and landmarks
Bankroll minimum per session:
9) Player errors
Consider more lines = above RTP.
Play on 1-2 lines in a multiline slot → increased variance and loss of potential combinations.
Ignore that Megaways requires a bigger betting buffer.
Ignore paytable - different slots with the same lines may have different volatility profiles.
10) The bottom line
The number of drums determines the depth of mathematics: from simple classics to complex multipath mechanics.
The number of lines forms the frequency and size of the winnings, but does not affect RTP.
The choice depends on the goals: the classic gives predictability and simplicity, multi-reel "ways" slots - dynamics and high potential.
The key criterion is not graphics or the number of lines in itself, but the correspondence of volatility and rates to your bankroll and style of play.
